A firm favourite for many families visiting the North Antrim coastal town, Morton’s family fish shop in Ballycastle has taken the number one spot in a Sunday Times ‘best seaside fish and chip shop in the UK’ by Chris Haslam.
Of course, Chris is only catching up on what many locals already know.
Writing in his article, the enlightened journalist gave Morton’s his favourite-tick saying:
“The Morton family fish shop, selling catches from its own small fleet, was established three generations ago, but — undercut by the big supermarkets — business was looking iffy until they opened the chippy in 2005.
“Now the biggest queue on Ballycastle quayside is not for the Rathlin Island ferry, but for fish and chips cooked to order, as well as magnificent crabcakes and a rich and creamy smoked-fish chowder. Order at the hatch, eat at the tables on the harbour wall. Haddock and chips £9.90.”
Johnny Morton started selling fish around Ballycastle and the surrounding rural areas over 100 years ago. It has been said that he came back home with money or other times it could be potatoes, eggs or maybe turf as payment.
The next generation Sean, Maureen, Teresa and Margaret all worked to keep the fish business going. Today Morton’s still remains very much a family business.
The Morton’s website states:
“The fresh fish shop and the fish and chip shop trade along side each other at the harbour area of Ballycastle.
“Our fish are caught locally when possible or obtained from fishermen at the fishing ports of Greencastle in Donegal, Portavogie in County Down.”
