Cushendall

Coordinates: 55°04′58″N 6°03′32″W / 55.082887°N 6.05896°W / 55.082887; -6.05896

Cushendall
Irish: Cois Abhann Dalla/Bun Abhann Dalla
Cushendall  Cushendall shown within Northern Ireland
Population	1,241 (2001 Census)
District	Moyle
County	County Antrim
Country	Northern Ireland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BALLYMENA
Postcode district	BT44
Dialling code	028
EU Parliament	Northern Ireland
UK Parliament	North Antrim
NI Assembly	North Antrim
List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • Antrim

Cushendall (from Irish: Cois Abhann Dalla meaning "foot of the River Dall" – otherwise known in Irish as Bun Abhann Dalla meaning "bottom of the River Dall")^[1] and formerly known as Newtown Glens^[2] is a village and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

It is on the A2 coast road between Glenariff and Cushendun, in the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It lies in the shadow of the table topped Lurigethan Mountain and at the meeting point of three of the Glens of Antrim: Glenaan, Glenballyemon and Glencorp. This part of the Irish coastline is separated from Scotland by the North Channel, with the Mull of Kintyre about 16 miles away. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,241 people, of whom 98% were Catholic.The main sports played in the area are hurling and camogie.

Much of the historic character of the 19th century settlement on the north bank of the River Dall remains. In 1973 it was designated as only the second Conservation Area in Northern Ireland, and includes the largely intact Irish Georgian buildings of the town’s four original streets. Since 1990, Cushendall has hosted the Heart Of The Glens festival every August.

2001 Census

Cushendall is classified as a village, and the population of Cushendall on Census day (29th April 2001) was 1241 people. The demographic characteristics of the people living in Cushendall was as follows:

• 26.1% were aged under 16 years;
• 16.8% were aged 60 and over;
• the average age was 34.8 years (NI average age 35.8 years);
• 47.9% of the population were male and 52.1% were female;
• 96.9% were from a Catholic Community Background;
• 3.1% were from a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' Community Background;
• 9.3% were born outside Northern Ireland; and
• 1.1% were from an ethnic group other than white.

Places of interest

The Curfew Tower.

The Curfew Tower in the centre of the village was built by then landlord of the town, Francis Turnley, in 1817, to confine riotous prisoners. Dan McBride, an army pensioner, was given the job of permanent garrison and was armed with one musket, a bayonet, a brace of pistols and a thirteen-feet-long pike. The tower is now owned by artist Bill Drummond.

Oisín's Grave, off the main Cushendall to Ballymoney road, is a megalithic court cairn on a hillside in Lubitavish, near the Glenann River. It is believed to be the burial place of Oísín - the Celtic Warrior Poet. A stone cairn was erected here in 1989 in memory of John Hewitt, the poet of the Glens.

The ruins of Layde Church, one of the oldest and most important historical sites in the Glens are situated on the coast road between Cushendall and Cushendun. The exact origins of the site are unknown but it probably began life as a holy place in the Iron Age or before. It was in ruins in 1622 but rebuilt about 1696 and remained the site of Protestant worship until the 1800s.

Red Bay Castle, situated between the villages of Cushendall and Waterfoot. Built by the Bisset family in the 14th century and later occupied by the MacDonnells, one of the outposts of the Kingdom of Dál Riata.

Glenariff Forest Park, 5 miles inland from Cushendall, covers an area of 1185 hectares. In the park are two small rivers containing spectacular waterfalls, tranquil pools and stretches of fast flowing water tumbling through rocky gorges. There is a café, toilets and an exhibition centre. Four way-marked trails of varying length (1-9 km) wind through the forest leading you into some of the park’s wooded areas. One follows the Glenariff River with its famous waterfalls and passes through the National Nature Reserve.

Sport

Hurling

Founded in 1906, the local club Ruairí Óg's plays its home matches at Páirc Mhuire in Cushendall. Senior success has been mirrored in under-age competitions as well. In 2007 Cushendall became one of the most successful hurling clubs in Co. Antrim. The club have won 10 County Championships in their history, the third most overall - Behind McQuillans, Shamrocks, and O'Donovan Rossa. They have also won numerous underage tournaments including the North Antrim Féile na Gael beating Ballycastle in the 2007 final.

River Dall.

Golf

Cushendall Golf Club is a tricky little course presenting many challenges for those wanting to improve their short game. The course is a great place to develop for young players and has produced numerous successful amateurs over the years. Located in a superb wooded valley and the Abhainn Dala (River Dall) running through its centre.

Sailing

Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club is an excellent place to learn and advance the skills of Sailing. The club is situated in Red Bay and the views of the surrounding Glens of Antrim make a stunning backdrop for those on the waves ! Cushendall CSBC has a sailing school which runs throughout the summer using RYA's learn-to-sail scheme.

The Troubles in Cushendall

• Sergeant Joseph Campbell, a Catholic Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer, was shot dead on 25 February 1977 as he locked up the local RUC station by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).^[3] The circumstances regarding the murder were suspicious and the case was referred to the police ombudsman amid rumours of security force collusion with loyalists.^[4]

Cushendall Beach Seen from the Salmon Rocks, with Lurigethan in the background.

• RUC officer Alexander Bell died as a result of his injuries on 25 July 1989 from a previous Provisional Irish Republican Army land mine attack on his patrol car.^[5]

Tourism

Holiday accommodation in the area ranges from Self Catering to Bed & Breakfast and caravan and camping. Cushendall has three caravan and camping sites, located at the Coast Road, Glenville and Gortaclee. These are seasonal and are normally open from mid-March until the end of September.^[6]

There is also an annual vintage car rally which is held in the village every year and attracts people from all over the county.[1]

References

1. ^ Placenames NI
2. ^ http://www.northantrim.com/aboutcushendalltwo.htm
3. ^ CAIN List of deaths 1977
4. ^ Widows Appeal Over Killing-BBC News
5. ^ CAIN List of deaths 1989
6. ^ Camping & Caravans

External links

• North Antrim Community Network - Cushendall
• Culture Northern Ireland
• BBC News
• Cushendall website
• Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club
• Ulster Architectural Heritage Society - Cushendall