You can't walk through the main street of Ballycastle without noticing the the souvenirs, arts and crafts on display in many of the shop windows, so this week's Thursday Doors features a sample of what can be found. This first one reminded me of a poem I wrote many years ago about Ireland being 'a rock of greys and greens and rainbows.'

I had a big struggle resisting the urge to lose myself among all those lovely old and new items on display in the above shop but I didn't have time to browse so onwards to the next one. It had a very apt name, as I would have found it difficult to leave this one too, had I stepped inside.

The work of many local artists and craftspeople can be seen on display in the windows of some of the shops, including the hardware store. This even houses a gallery with a lovely selection of paintings, another place that I would be happy to spend a lot of time. You might go in there for a teapot and come out with a work of art.

Even the empty shops had a certain charm about them and worth photographing. The next one had just one small pane of glass covered by a tiny net curtain. It can't have been for privacy as the other pains and window were easy to see through.

I liked the blue trim on this building and wondered was if it had been a shop in the past. Or maybe it still is but was closed for lunch. Besides shops, there are some lovely old pubs on the main street. The following two are opposite each other and serve food as well as drink. Not easy to choose between them as they both have a good reputation, so I'm glad I didn't have to - this time.

The thatched feature really adds a bit of character, doesn't it?

If you would like to read up on the history of the town this link has lots of interesting information with some lovely old photographs included. Thanks a mil for joining me on my walk around the shops of Ballycastle this week and for a lot more Thursday Doors carry on over to Dan's blog.

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