Dunadry: River Landscape, Mills and History

Dunadry combines a river landscape with traces of forts, mills and bridges. The Six Mile Water runs through hilly farmland towards Summerhill, shaping a place where nature observation and history are closely intertwined. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Dunadry, you can therefore plan your trip around different interests: the landscape and walking paths, historic buildings or the special stories connected with the river.

River, Gardens and a Protected Plant

The Dunadry Gardens & River Walk follows the centuries-old millrace along the Six Mile River to the Secret Garden. This route gives the landscape a clear focus: the river, the old milling system and the gardens are among the key features to explore in Dunadry. For a quieter day of travel, you can include the route in your plans, while elsewhere in the village you can discover historic buildings and traces of technology.

A special natural feature is the river water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans in the Six Mile Water. The plant is protected under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985. It is easiest to see at Dunadry Bridge when it blooms, usually around July. Those interested in river vegetation will therefore find a specific seasonal reason to choose their travel period carefully, without overlooking Dunadry’s other attractions.

The gardens are also home to the Peace Tree, made up of two lime trees that have grown together for more than 100 years. In May 1998, the Peace Tree was photographed with Tony Blair, Lord David Trimble and John Hume after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The tree thus combines a visible natural feature with an important historical moment.

Forts and Milling History

Dunadry’s history dates back to the early 14th century. At that time, the village was one of three important feudal forts in the County of Antrum. In the 17th century, the historic site was known as The Middle Fort, also called Dun-Eddery. The name referred to Dunadry’s position as the middle of three forts on the road from Tara to Dunseverick. The fort associated with Dunadry stood at the confluence of Rathmore Burn and the Sixmilewater River.

The development of the mills also tells us much about the village. In the 18th century, Daniel Blow founded the paper mill Blow’s Mill within The Middle Fort. Later, the paper mill in Dunadry was converted into a linen mill powered by the Six Mile River. Production continued until the 1920s. The original mill buildings of the Dunadry Inn are still standing; the main building has five bays, two storeys and is built of coursed basalt rubble.

Bridges, Houses and Special Interiors

Dunadry Bridge is a three-arch bridge made of dressed stone dating from 1832. Its distinctive angled abutment piers make it an architectural feature in its own right within the river landscape. A four-bay Victorian railway bridge dating from around 1850 carries the railway over Six Mile Water and Dunadry Road on the route between Templepatrick and Antrim. Together, the two structures represent different eras in the history of transport and the village.

Other historic details include Clady Cottage, a single-storey, two-bay thatched cottage dating from around 1780, with a fanlight above the entrance door. The Cellar is located in the original working cellar of the historic hotel. Private wine and whiskey tastings are offered there. This adds a culinary experience to the themes of landscape, architectural history and industrial heritage.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for accommodation in Dunadry, it helps to decide on your preferred focus in advance. If you prefer nature and walking routes, the Six Mile Water, the Dunadry Gardens & River Walk and observing Ranunculus fluitans can shape your daily itinerary. If you are more interested in history, The Middle Fort, the mill buildings, Dunadry Bridge and the railway bridge offer various points of interest. For families with different interests, this alternation between river landscape, historic traces and distinctive buildings can provide a good basis for varied travel planning. You can choose a holiday apartment or holiday house to suit the itinerary you envisage for Dunadry.

For further travel planning, you can also compare other destinations on this portal: Carnlough, Crumlin, Templepatrick, Larne, Newtownabbey, Cushendall, Ballymoney and Antrim.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Antrim.