cushendun harbour

A designated conservation area, Cushendun harbour has been accredited as the first ever port for tourism and settlers to the area due to its close 20-mile proximity to Scotland.

Today the harbour is home to mainly pleasure craft and is a sleepy commuter village, however it has a unique architectural inheritance and a distinct picturesque setting, attracting not only tourists but provides inspiration for artisans and poets. It is famous for it's Cornish style cottages, designed by famous architect, Clough Williams-Ellis, designer of Portmeirion in Wales. The harbours hidden treasure is the Cave House; only visible from the sea and reached through a natural cave, it was the home of a Huguenot descendant. Further along the harbour, the ruins of Carra Castle can be found, once the home of Shane O'Neill who fought against Queen Elizabeth's forces in the late 16th century.