Caves​ of Cushendun

Cushendun Cave Most Famous Cave In Northern Ireland

Cushenden Caves

Northern Ireland has some of the best caves in the world. One of the best is called Caves of Cushendun.

 

Caves​ of Cushendun

While driving through the Causeway Coastal Route between the Cushendall and Ballycastle lies the pretty quaint coastal village of Cushendun which has the famous Caves of Cushendun. We stopped at the village to enjoy the magnificent view of the coast and the village’s tranquil harbor in a balmy morning.

Cushendun cave

About Cushendun Village

 Cushendun village was built at the mouth of river dun where it meets the wild Atlantic Ocean, and it sits on the on the glacial outflow of Glendun and Glencorp. The historic village is intriguing and is rich in folklore. The harbor and beautiful beach are surrounded by hill farms, hedgerows, and traditional dry-stone walls. Cushendun has been the crossing point between Ireland and Scotland for many centuries. Till 1803 a ferry operated between Cushendun and Mull of Kintyre. The village is maintained by the National Trust and is significant for its breath-taking scenery, dramatic caves carved by the sea and exquisite white Cornish style cottages designed by architect Clough Williams-Ellis.

Things to Enjoy
  • You can enjoy the beach at Cushendun. It has a pristine sandy beach and calm inviting water. It was exceptionally blue that day with a slight green undertone. On a clear day Mull of Kintyre is visible from the beach. One side of the beach is adorned by gorse plant (locally knows as whins) and its yellow flower which is a dominating feature of the countryside in springtime.
  • The Red Caves: Caves are at the southern end of Cushendun beach. It is 5 mins walk from the bridge over the Glendun river in the village. There is no signpost so walk towards the Fisherman’s Cottage. The Cushendun Caves is one of the many shooting locations of Games of Throne in Northern Ireland. The Caves of Cushendun formed the backdrop for the Stormlands and a couple of important scenes from the series in season 2 and again in season 8 were shot here. Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular of the formations ,Devonian puddingstone at Cushendun were formed over 400 million of years of extreme weather conditions.
  • Glen Viaduct : The Glendun Viaduct known locally as ‘The Big Bridge’ s is reputed to be one of the finest structures of its kind in The British Isles. It spans the river Dun in the Glens of Antrim one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the world. It was designed by Charles Layon an architect famed for designing many other well known buildings such as Queen’s University ,Crumlin Road Gaol
  • Cregagh Wood :An ancient woodland site .You can spot some rare red squirrels here. The red squirrel is believed to have been present in Ireland since the end of the last Ice Age
  • Carra Castle Ruins : Castle Carra was built probably during early 14th century. owned by the self-proclaimed Earl of Ulster Shane O’Neill. A recent excavation of the site of Castle Carra revealed that it had, in more recent times, been the site of a burial place for unbaptized children.  
  • Hiking Trails : There are a few hiking trails nearby like Ronans way hike ,Dungonnell Way trail
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave

How to get to Caves of Cushendun

From Belfast city it takes around 1 hour 10 mins via car. This is a shorter route which goes from Belfast to Cushendun via Ballymena  and Cushendall . You can also take the longer scenic coastal route via Carrickfergus, Larne, Carnlough, Cushendall and then to Cushendun which takes around 1.5 hours.
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave
Cushendun cave

Accomodation at Caves of Cushendun

1. Strand House: You can stay at the Strand House just north of the village of Cushendun .Some of the dramatic locations surrounding the cottage was used as the shooting location of the  Game of Thrones series 

           Contact – Tel+44 (0) 344 800 2070

          https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/strand-house-northern-ireland

2. Maud Cottages : A terrace of four houses on the village seafront (and with views across to Scotland when the weather is sufficiently clear), they are of two storeys, the lower white-washed, the upper slate-fronted with a lovely bow at the centre of the block.

Maud Cottages

For more such other interesting places view our other posts here.