The Curfew Tower

The tower in the centre of Cushendall was built by Francis Turnley in 1817, to confine riotous prisoners. Francis Turnley, landlord of the village, was born at Richmond Lodge, Co. Down in 1765. His father was also Francis and his mother Catherine Black, a member of a wealthy family. His father obtained a position for him in the East India Company and he went to China in 1796 where he amassed a fortune of £70,000. On his return he bought two estates, one of which included the village of Cushendall.

The tower is perhaps the best known Turnley landmark and elaborate and eccentric instructions were laid down for its operation. Dan McBride, an army pensioner was given the job of permanent garrison and was armed with one musket, a bayonet, a brace of pistols and a pike thirteen feet long. The projecting windows on each side of the tower had openings for pouring molten lead on unsuspecting attackers below.

Ossian’s Grave
Just off the main Cushendall / Ballymoney Road this megalithic court cairn is on a hillside in Lubitavish near Glenann River. Dating from the Stone Age (800BC) it is believed to be the burial place of Ossian – the Celtic Warrior Poet. A stone cairn was erected here in 1989 in memory of John Hewitt, the poet of the Glens.

Layde Church
The ruins of this church, one of the oldest and most important historical sites in the glens are situated on the Coast Road between Cushendall and Cushendun. Often referred to as a Franciscan Monastery, evidence would indicate that it was, in fact a Parish Church. The exact origins of the site are unknown but it probably began life as a holy place in the Iron Age or before. It was in ruins in 1622 but was rebuilt about 1696 and remained the site of Protestant worship until the 1800’s.