The Cushendun Caves were formed over hundreds of millions of years. However, it wasn’t until they appeared in Game of Thrones that they really became a popular tourist destination.
You’ll find them along the scenic Causeway Coastal Route in the little village of Cushendun, a short stroll from the centre.
Below, you’ll find info on everything from where to park for the Caves of Cushendun to how to get to them.
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting the Cushendun Caves
Although a visit to the Caves of Cushendun is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
The Cushendun Caves are located on the southern end of Cushendun Beach in County Antrim. They’re a handy 20-minute drive from Glenariff Forest Park, a 10-minute drive from Cushendall and a 20-minute drive from Torr Head.
2. Parking
There are two car parks nearby. The closest one to the caves is this one. Just keep in mind that, as it’s in the centre of the village, it can fill up. There’s also a car park for the beach a 10-minute walk from the caves (here on Maps).
3. Game of Thrones link
There were many Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland and Cushendun Caves were one of them! The caves formed the backdrop for the Stormlands and was the setting for a couple of important scenes in season 2 and again in season 8.
How the Cushendun Caves were formed
The Cushendun Caves were formed over the course of 400 million years through natural erosion.
When you visit the caves, you’ll likely notice their colour – the stone has a red/orange tinge to it which is common with places formed during hot and dry weather conditions.
Now, if you’re thinking, ‘Eh, Ireland was never hot and dry…’, it was! This was during the Devonian period when the landmass that we now know as Ireland was once located much closer to the equator.
If you take a closer look, you’ll see that the walls of the caves are covered in red sandstone along with thousands of little stones.
This formation took place during the Carboniferous period around 60 million years ago when the sea flooded sections of Ireland’s lowlands, dragging loose stones and pebbles off the seabed.
The caves were eroded into their current shape around 13,000 years ago, after the last Ice Age, when sea levels rose and massive amounts of water bashed against the cliffs, causing the caves to form.
Getting to the Cushendun Caves
Getting to the Cushendun Caves is very straight forward. Park up (you’ve two options in the town – see above) and then head towards the Johann Statue (yep, it’s a goat!).
The caves are at the southern end of Cushendun Beach. It’s a 5-minute walk from the bridge over the Glendun River in the village.
Once you cross the bridge, you have to skirt around the Fisherman’s Cottage on the coast and then keep walking past the apartments and through the two small stone buildings.
From there, you’ll start to see the dramatic cave formations in the side of the cliffs.
The Cushendun Caves Game of Thrones link
The Cushendun Caves were one of several Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland – they were used for the backdrop of the Stormlands.
The caves were the setting for one of the most iconic scenes from season 2 when Melisandre gave birth to the Shadow Assassin.
The caves were also used again in season 8 during the famous battle between Jaime Lannister and Euron Greyjoy.
You’ll find an information board at the caves entrance which explains a bit more about the scenes and the filming that took place there.
Things to do nearby
One of the beauties of the Caves of Cushendun is that they’re a short spin away from some of the best things to do in Antrim.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the caves:
- Glenariff Forest Park (20-minute drive)
- Cushendall (10-minute drive)
- Torr Head (20-minute drive)
- Kinbane Castle (25-minute drive)
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.