Cushendun (the name means the foot of the brown river) is Ireland's nearest port to Britain . Because of its sheltered location and its safe anchorage, Cushendun became a covenient landing and embarcation point for traffic to Scotland.

A ferry service between Cushendun and Dunaverty ran regularly until the middle of the 19th century. In earlier times the McDonnells and their clansmen frequently landed their galleys on Cushendun Beach.

The present village grew up around the ferry terminus. A coastguard station, which remained untill the 1920's, was built, as was a store for the handling of merchandise. These buildings and the houses were located on the North side of the river, as there was no bridge connecting the South side until about 1860.

In the early years of the last century, several reports suggested that a more permanant harbour should be constructed, and by 1830, Nicholas Cromelin, a local entrepeneur, had plans drawn up by the eminent engineer, Sir John Rennie, for an elaborate harbour and breakwater. Unfortunately, Cromelin had amassed large debts on other enterprises, and the Board of Works refused to advance the necessary finance for the project.

After 1800, sea bathing became a fashionable recreation among the gentry of the time, and from this period the building of the large houses at Glenmona, Rockport and Glendun Lodge can be dated. Cushendun remains a popular seaside resort and earlier this century, three hotels were built to cater for growing number of visitors. At this time too, ownership of the village passed from the White family of Broughshane, to Ronald McNeill, later Lord Cushendun. He employed a young Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, to re-design the village.

Two groups of houses, the square and the Maud Cottages, were built. The village shop followed in 1932 but unfortunately plans for a village hall came to naught. These improvements and later efforts by the National Trust, which acquired Cushendun and the surrounding lands in 1954, from Lord Cushendun's daughter, greatly enhanced the village and the ensured its popularity as a holiday resort remained high.

The village attracted many famous artists and writers. Humbert Craig, Maurice Wilks, Theo Gracey & Charles McAuley all had associations with the villages. John Masefield, former poet laureate, spent his honeymoon in the village, after his marrige to a Cushendun Cromelin. Moira O Neill lived in nearby Rockport as did Louis McNeice. Writer Enid Starkie, spent holidays in Cushendun House.

Today, the people of the district rely mainly on farming and tourism to provide employment. The only factory, a scutch mill and a ropeworks, lasted for a few years in the middle of the 19th century. The site is now occupied by the Cushendun Hotel.