B15 (Northern Ireland)
B15 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Ballintoy (NR216020) | |||
To: | Kilraughts (NW163844) | |||
Via: | Ballycastle, Armoy | |||
Distance: | 22.1 miles (35.6 km) | |||
Meets: | A2, A2, A44, C102, B16 | |||
Primary Destinations | ||||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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Route
The B15 is a long-way-round route in north County Antrim.
The road starts at a TOTSO on the A2 to the west of Ballintoy. For one of the few sections along its entire route the A2 now runs slightly inland and the B15 takes the coast road. Our road heads east via the centre of Ballintoy to reach Ballycastle. After running along North Street the road bends slightly to the right to reach a roundabout where it meets the A2 again. There is then a short multiplex along Mary Street before the B15 regains its number where the A2 TOTSOs left to cross the Glenshesk River.
The B15 now heads inland. It crosses the Glenshesk River itself a short distance further on and continues up the valley, crossing the river a second time a few miles upstream. A short distance further on the road bends to the right and climbs out of the valley. It heads west across the fields and presently reaches Armoy and the A44. That road has taken a shorter route from Ballycastle on the far side of Knocklayd. There is a short multiplex south over the Bush River before the B15 turns right to regain its number.
The road continues west. For the first few miles it follows the Bush River, although this rarely actually comes into view. The river turns away just before a crossroads and the B15 continues ahead. The road ends a short distance further on at a T-junction on the B16.
History
Originally the B15 only consisted of the L-shape between Ballycastle and Armoy; however, it was extended in both directions later in the 1920s. The coast road between Ballycastle and Ballintoy was presumably originally the A2 although there is at present no proof for this.