CUSHENDUN, a sea-port (small), partly in the
parish of CULFEIGHTRIN, in the barony of CAREY, and
partly in that of LAYDE, barony of LOWER-GLENARM,
county of ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles
(N. N. E.) from Cushendall; the population is returned
with the respective parishes. This place is situated on
a small bay of that name, at the mouth of the river Dun
or Glendun, and has recently been much frequented as
a watering-place during the summer season. It appears
to have derived its name from its situation near the
mouth of the Dun, and carries on some trade in cattle
and pigs with the opposite coast of Cantire, in Scotland.
Here are extensive quarries of freestone. The harbour,
which has been formed by the construction of a pier,
partly at the expense of Government, affords good
shelter to a number of small vessels, which remain here
all the winter; it has good anchorage in winds blowing
from the shore, and vessels of 50 tons' burden can cross
the bar. There are a few small vessels from 14 to 20
tons' burden belonging to the port, and several boats
are employed in the herring fishery in the bay. Here
is a coast-guard station, forming one of the eight which
constitute the district of Ballycastle. On the coast are
some spacious caverns of singular construction.