Cushendall
Encyclopedia
Cushendall and formerly known as Newtown Glens 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.
.
Oisín's Grave, off the main Cushendall to Ballymoney
road, is a megalith
ic 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.
There is also an annual vintage car rally which is held in the village every year and attracts people from all over the county.http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/community/vintage_enthusiasts_promoting_good_relations_1_2921293
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
It is on the A2 coast road
A2 road (Northern Ireland)
The A2 is a major road in Northern Ireland, a large section of which is often called the Antrim Coast Road because it follows the scenic coastline of County Antrim....
between Glenariff
Glenariff
Glenariff is a glen in the County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Like all glens in that area, it was shaped during the Ice Age by giant glaciers....
and Cushendun
Cushendun
Cushendun is a small coastal village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It sits off the A2 coast road between Cushendall and Ballycastle. It has a sheltered harbour and lies at the mouth of the River Dun and Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim. The Mull of Kintyre in Scotland is only about...
, in the Antrim Coast and Glens
Antrim Coast and Glens
The Antrim Coast and Glens is an area of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1988.The designation takes in the coastline from Ballycastle in the north to Larne in the south of County Antrim, and includes Rathlin Island...
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
. It lies in the shadow of the table topped Lurigethan Mountain and at the meeting point of three of the Glens of Antrim
Glens of Antrim
The Glens of Antrim , known locally as simply The Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens , that radiate from the Antrim Plateau to the coast. The Glens are an area of outstanding natural beauty and are a major tourist attraction in north Antrim...
: Glenaan, Glenballyemon and Glencorp. This part of the Irish coastline is separated from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
by the North Channel
North Channel (British Isles)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
, with the Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
The Mull of Kintyre is the southwesternmost tip of the Kintyre Peninsula in southwest Scotland. From here, the Antrim coast is visible and an historic lighthouse, the second commissioned in Scotland, guides shipping in the intervening North Channel...
about 16 miles away. In the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 1,241 people, of whom 98% were Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
.The main sports played in the area are hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
.
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 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 DrummondBill Drummond
William Ernest Drummond is a Scottish artist, musician, writer and record producer. He was the co-founder of late 1980s avant-garde pop group The KLF and its 1990s media-manipulating successor, the K Foundation, with which he burned a million pounds in 1994...
.
Oisín's Grave, off the main Cushendall to Ballymoney
Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 9,021 people in the 2001 Census. It is currently served by Ballymoney Borough Council....
road, is a megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic court cairn
Court cairn
The court cairn or court tomb is a megalithic type of chamber tomb and gallery grave, specifically a variant of the chambered cairn, found in western and northern Ireland, and in mostly southwest Scotland...
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
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
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
Cushendun
Cushendun is a small coastal village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It sits off the A2 coast road between Cushendall and Ballycastle. It has a sheltered harbour and lies at the mouth of the River Dun and Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim. The Mull of Kintyre in Scotland is only about...
. The exact origins of the site are unknown but it probably began life as a holy place in the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
or before. It was in ruins in 1622 but rebuilt about 1696 and remained the site of Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
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
Glenariff Forest Park
Glenariff Forest Park is an 1185 hectare forest in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is part of Glenariff glen itself. The forest is managed by the Northern Ireland Forest Service, the state body responsible for forestry in the province, which is part of the Department of Agriculture and Rural...
, 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.
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.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 ConstabularyRoyal Ulster ConstabularyThe Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) officer, was shot dead on 25 February 1977 as he locked up the local RUC station by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The circumstances regarding the murder were suspicious and the case was referred to the police ombudsman amid rumours of security force collusion with loyalists.
- RUC officer Alexander Bell died as a result of his injuries on 25 July 1989 from a previous Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
land mine attack on his patrol car.
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.There is also an annual vintage car rally which is held in the village every year and attracts people from all over the county.http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/community/vintage_enthusiasts_promoting_good_relations_1_2921293