Traditionally held on the last bank holiday of the summer, the fair attracts crowds of around 100,000 across four days, with music, stalls, and horse trading at its heart. This year, however, organisers have had to adapt to two significant challenges.

Fairhill Street, a central location for the fair, remains closed following safety concerns over the derelict Antrim Arms Hotel. To protect pedestrians from falling debris, shipping containers have been placed outside the building, while new pedestrian routes have been opened. Councillor Cara McShane said the council had worked “extremely hard” to overcome the disruption, adding that licensing for trading and concessions has increased, which is a positive sign.

In addition, the construction of a new leisure centre on the usual amusement sites has forced the rides and attractions onto private land by the seafront. “It’s business as usual and we need to ensure best foot forward,” Ms McShane said.

For traders like Paul Cochrane, who has worked at the fair for more than 30 years, the event remains vital to the town. “Families sometimes come home for the Ould Lammas Fair. Communication between local businesses and the council in future planning.

At Boyle’s Spar on the seafront, owner Aidan Boyle expects a busy few days, though he noted that businesses are no longer solely dependent on the fair. “There’s no off-season in Ballycastle anymore,” he said, while reflecting on how retail has changed. Traditional treats like yellowman and dulse still line the stalls, but the days of buying household goods at the fair are largely a thing of the past.