Emergency repairs to commence at coastal road damaged by Storm Éowyn

Boyd’s Wall along Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle

Photos and video: Anne Kelly

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that emergency repair work will begin in the coming weeks to address severe damage to a section of Carrickmore Road in Ballycastle, County Antrim, caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.

The road has remained closed since the storm battered Northern Ireland on 24 January, with winds nearing 100mph wreaking havoc across the province.

The Antrim coast, particularly around Ballycastle, bore the brunt of the storm’s ferocity. The historic Pans Rock Bridge sustained significant structural damage, while Boyd’s Wall, a locally cherished landmark running alongside Carrickmore Road, was also impacted in places.

The destruction undermined the structural integrity of the carriageway itself, rendering it unsafe for public use. Over the last three months there has been no immediate timeline for reopening until now.

Complicating repair efforts, the damaged section lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), which affords the site strict environmental protections.

The DfI was required to seek a Marine Licence and obtain consent from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to ensure that any remedial work would be conducted sensitively, safeguarding the area’s delicate ecosystem.

These regulatory hurdles, combined with the site’s challenging coastal location, have delayed progress.

Boyd’s Wall at the Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle

It is understood that the condition of the carriageway has deteriorated further in recent weeks, prompting urgent action.

A DfI spokesperson, speaking to Love Ballymena, said:

“The Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle suffered substantial damage following Storm Éowyn, and the road was closed as a safety precaution,” the spokesperson said.

“As the damaged section of carriageway was in proximity to the seawall and the area is ASSI habitat protected, the Department applied to DAERA to obtain a Marine Licence and to get consent for the work to ensure it was carried out in a sensitive manner which would protect the natural environment.”

A recent video showing further undermining of the carrageway at Carrickmore Road

The spokesperson added: “However, given the current safety concern, DfI will progress emergency repair work in the coming weeks. Members of the public are reminded that the road remains closed for their own safety, and access is forbidden.”

The damage to Boyd’s Wall, a historic structure with deep cultural significance, has also been a source of concern for the community, with hopes that repairs will preserve its character.

While the DfI has not yet provided a detailed timeline for the completion of the works, the decision to proceed with emergency repairs signals a commitment to addressing the safety risks posed by the damaged carriageway.

Boyd’s Wall in Ballycastle that sustained damage during Storm Éowyn

The Department has reiterated its appeal to the public to avoid the area, emphasising that the road remains hazardous.

Storm Éowyn, one of the most severe weather events to strike Northern Ireland in recent years, caused widespread disruption across the region, with power outages, fallen trees, and coastal damage reported province-wide.

The confirmation of repair works in Ballycastle marks a significant step towards recovery for one of the worst-affected areas.