Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB05/14/029

Address :
Granny Rock Bayview Road Ballycastle Co Antrim

Townland:
Town Parks

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Memorial

Former Use
Standing Stone

Conservation Area:
Yes

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
8/8 SE

IG Ref:
D1207 4146

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Owner Category

Central Govt

Exterior Description And Setting

A large projecting lump of black rock erupting from a sea of concrete. An impressive column of rock rising out of a concrete concourse that now forms the approaches to the improved harbour at Ballycastle. At its base is a commemorative plaque in granite recording Marconi and Kemp’s exploits in telegraphic communication. Before the harbour improvements the rock, known as Granny’s Rock, had the sea waves lap against it.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

The O.S. Map of 1832 does not ascribe a name to this rock, though it might have been used as a coastguard flag signal point and such is indicated about this position. However on the revision of 1856 the rock gains the sobriquet “Granny’s Rock”. The plaque at its base is a relocation on 24th July 1998, presumably, during the harbour improvements. The plaque, originally erected in July 1973, recalls the activities of Marchese Marconi and George Kemp in the area in the work of wireless communication. The rok was one of the locations tested by Kemp to achieve a signal from Rathlin. See record HB05/13/035. The rock is now encompassed by a concourse of concrete created during the work of harbour improvements. Primary Sources 1. O.S. Map 1832 Antrim sheets 5 and 9. 2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Antrim sheets 5 and 9. 3.. O.S. Map 1904 Ballycastle Secondary Sources 1. Ballycastle Conservation Area Booklet

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An interesting geological rock foundation with added interest for its association with the work of Marconi and Kemp.

General Comments

Date of Survey

12 September 2000