Cushendall: Things To Do, Restaurants + Accommodation

Cushendall, a scenic village along the Antrim Coast, is known for its striking backdrop of Lurigethan Mountain, lively pubs, and deep-rooted Irish heritage.

A base for many driving the Causeway Coastal Route, the town is surrounded by many of Northern Ireland’s top attractions.

In this guide, discover everything from things to do in Cushendall to where to eat, sleep and sip. Enjoy!

Some quick need-to-knows about Cushendall

Although a visit to Cushendall in Antrim is nice and straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Cushendall is a small town on the coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It’s a 10-minute drive from both Cushendun and Glenariff Forest Park and a 30-minute drive from Torr Head.

2. Name

The town was previously known as Newtownglens but it’s now referred to as Cushendall. It’s thought that the name comes from the Irish meaning, “foot of the River Dall”. 

3. Brief history

The town was first established and grew in the 1600s. It really began to flourish under Francis Turnly who acquired the town as part of an estate in 1809. He was responsible for many of the impressive buildings and the beautiful coastal road that you still see today.

4. The Heart of the Glens festival

Since August 1990, the town has held the annual Heart of the Glens festival. The fun nine days of events and activities is worth being in town for!

Things to do in Cushendall (and nearby)

There’s plenty of things to do in Cushendall and there’s an almost endless number of places to visit nearby, from hikes and walks to historical sites and much more.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from Cushendall Beach and Glenariff Forest to Cushendall Beach and much more.

1. Cushendall Beach

Cushendall Beach is a compact 250-metre stretch of sand along the Antrim Coast, ideal for morning walks and picnics, with sweeping views of surrounding mountains and hills.

The beach is backed by grassy areas perfect for sunny-day lounging, with a car park and public toilets at the northern end and Cushendall Golf Club bordering the southern end.

2. Glenariff Forest

Just south of town, you’ll find Glenariff Forest Park which is a perfect place to lose yourself amongst the trees.

This 1000-hectare park has woodland, lakes and picnic areas all joined by walking trails of various levels.

From easy strolls to longer walks up to 9km, there’s plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.

3. The Glens of Antrim

Cushendall is perfectly located right amongst the Nine Glens of Antrim.

These valleys stretch out from the coast and are considered an area of outstanding natural beauty.

With plenty of beautiful landscapes to admire from glacial valleys to beaches and mountains, it’s a very nice place to explore. 

With many different towns amongst the glens, Cushendall is often considered at the heart of the area.

You can easily admire the scenery surrounding the town or make day trips both north and south along the coast. 

4. Cushendun Caves

For Game of Thrones fans, making a trip just 10 minutes up the coast to Cushendun is a must.

At the southern end of the beach in this town you’ll find the stunning natural rock cavities that have formed slowly over millions of years. 

The Cushendun Caves were used as a set for some important scenes from the popular TV series, so they now attract plenty of people who want to get a nice view of this impressive landform.

They make for interesting photos and can easily be explored on a short stop.

5. Red Bay Castle

Just back along the Coast Road in Cushendall, this ruined castle offers beautiful views and a nice photo stop on the Causeway Coastal Route.

The first castle to be built in this spot is thought to be back in the 13th century. However, the current ruins are likely from the 16th century and built by Sir James MacDonnell. 

The castle is directly above the Red Arch tunnel and the views from the headland on which its built is exceptionally impressive over the harbour.

6. Torr Head Scenic Route

Just 17km to the north of Cushendall along the coast, you’ll find the spectacular headland known as Torr Head.

This worthwhile attraction on the Causeway Coastal Route offers incredible views across the ocean towards Scotland.

The rugged peninsula is also home to the remains of the ancient fortress known as Altagore, which dates back to the 6th century.

There is a small parking area at the base of it and you can wander up from there. 

Restaurants and pubs in Cushendall 

There are plenty of good places to eat and drink in Cushendall if you’re looking for a feed after a long day on the road. Below, you’ll find some of my favourites:

1. Harry’s 

If you’re after some excellent seafood, Harry’s is one of the most popular restaurants in town. They get great reviews for friendly staff and delicious food with good portion sizes. Obviously, the seafood is a winner, with chowder, salmon and fresh scampi, being regular favourites. 

2. Café Cova

If you’re looking for a cosy café for brunch, then Café Cova is hard to bear. Located on the main street, it’s particularly popular for its breakfast menu options. The pancake stack is a big hit, as is the full cooked breakfast which is great after a walk along the beach in the morning.

3. McCollam’s 

McCollam’s, located on Cushendall’s main street, is a great spot for a pint, often accompanied by lively traditional music sessions and a warm, laid-back atmosphere.

4. The Central Bar

The Central Bar is a classic Irish pub with a cosy, old-world feel. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a roaring open fire, rustic stone walls, and a pint of Guinness that’s hard to beat!

Accommodation in Cushendall

Although you’ll find a wide list of great places to stay in our Cushendall accommodation guide, I’ll pop our favourites in below.

• Central Bar Guesthouse: A lively, welcoming guesthouse in the heart of Cushendall with clean rooms, comfy beds and a popular bar
• McNaughton Guestrooms: Comfortable en-suite rooms in the heart of Cushendall, perfect for exploring the Glens of Antrim and Causeway Coast