Ballycastle is situated on the coast of north County Mayo, with its northern boundary exposed to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Céide Fields, approximately 7 km north of Ballycastle, was where the first settlers began to farm the slopes of the Behy/Glenurla hillside, over 5000 years ago.

[3] The name Ballycastle was in use as early as 1470 and was referred to as a parish in the Catholic directory of 1836.

Bus Éireann route 445 serves Ballycastle on weekdays to Ballina via Killala.

[6] Ballycastle is host to Healyfest, a music event which takes place in a pub in the village on each August Bank Holiday.