Cushendall: Discover the Coast, Culture and Nature

Cushendall combines coastal landscapes, historic sites and nature experiences within a compact area offering a range of attractions. On the edge of the village, Cushendall Beach stretches along the coast as a pebble and shingle beach. Other highlights include Red Bay Castle, with views across the entire bay, a coastal cliff path to Layd Church, and Cottage Wood with woodland paths, viewpoints and picnic facilities. If you are planning a trip that alternates between active days and cultural discoveries, Cushendall offers several clearly distinct ways to shape your itinerary.

Coast and paths for different types of day

Cushendall Beach showcases the coast in a characteristic form: rather than a fine sandy beach, you will find a pebble and shingle beach on the edge of the village. This makes the beach a specific destination for anyone who wants to observe the coastal landscape and combine the character of the village with the sea. The coastal cliff path to Layd Church offers another perspective. It begins on Shore Street in Cushendall and leads to a Franciscan foundation dating from the 13th century. The path therefore combines landscape and history without requiring you to limit your travel plans to just one type of experience.

Red Bay Castle and the history of the bay

Red Bay Castle stands on a hill overlooking the entire bay and is known locally as McQuillan’s Fort. The castle was first built by the Bisset family in the 13th century. In 1652, Red Bay Castle was finally destroyed during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The combination of its location, traditional name and eventful history makes the site a distinctive destination for visitors who want to discover Cushendall not only as a coastal village, but also through its past.

Another historical detail is provided by Cushendall Golf Club. It was founded in 1937 and affiliated with the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1938. This history adds a local club with a clearly dated development to the broader landscape and cultural themes. When choosing your accommodation, such different interests may play a role: some days can focus more on the coast and activities, while others can be devoted to history or local traditions.

Cottage Wood and digital heritage experiences

Cottage Wood is a 10-acre deciduous woodland on the edge of Cushendall. It has a network of paths with viewpoints and picnic facilities. Red squirrels are regularly spotted in Cottage Wood. This gives the woodland a different landscape experience from the beach and cliffs. If you would like to plan a variety of impressions into your trip, you can think of the coast, woodland and historic sites as different focal points for your days.

The free-to-download Echoes of the Causeway heritage app is available for exploring hidden places along the Causeway Coast and Glens. It covers eight hidden places and offers exclusive photos, interactive experiences and dramatic audio features at each location, inspired by the myths and folklore associated with them. The app also provides accessibility information and travel directions for every location. This can be helpful if you want to prepare your cultural discoveries independently and choose your excursions by theme.

The right accommodation for your travel ideas

When looking for accommodation in Cushendall, it is therefore worth deciding first what mix of experiences you want from your trip. Should the coast be the main focus, are you particularly interested in castles and historic sites, or would you like to include woodland paths and nature watching? The available information on the beach, cliff path, Red Bay Castle, Cottage Wood and Echoes of the Causeway provides several specific themes for planning your trip. This allows you to search more purposefully for a holiday apartment or holiday home without basing your choice on unverified amenities.

For further trip planning, you can also find the pages for Crumlin, Antrim, Larne, Newtownabbey, Dunadry, Ballymoney, Templepatrick and Carnlough.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Antrim.