Bushmills is a small village on the north coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The village is best known for its creation of the world famous Irish Whiskey ‘Bushmills’, produced to this day in the original location of the Old Bushmills Distillery. Established in 1608, after the licence was granted by King James I, the distillery became the first legal producer, and hence the oldest distillery in the world!! The town is also famous as the gateway to the Antrim coast, with the Giant’s Causeway being only 3 kilometres to the north, and having access to the nine Glens of Antrim beyond, a region of outstanding natural beauty.
Bushmills village developed with the water powered industries of the 1600’s, to become one of the main centres for corn, flax and whiskey production. At one time there were seven mills along this stretch of water through the village, with one of the first mills in County Antrim being here. Designated as a conservation area, Bushmills is home to over 90 listed buildings, with the village maintaining its unique character, unchanged for generations. At the top of the village stands the Old Bushmills Distillery, built in 1885, the building is of Victorian architecture, replacing an earlier building damaged by fire. It is possible to have a tour of the distillery, which is really interesting!!
Bushmills is a great place to stay and enjoy the surrounding areas, having easy access to Northern Ireland’s best known tourist site, the Giant’s Causeway. It is possible to travel to the Giant’s Causeway, which is only 3 kilometres away, by steam train. Bushmills was once on the world’s first hydro-electric tramway line, which ran from Portrush to the Giants Causeway, and opened in the 1880’s. The line closed in 1949, and was re-opened in 2002, with two steam and one diesel locomotives, called Tyrone, Rory and Shane!! On the coast from Bushmills you can visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle, dating to the medieval period, and possibly built by Richard de Burgh of the Anglo-Normans. The castle is located on a headland, and has a dramatic appeal as the outer walls drop sheer into the sea!! Or maybe walk the White Rocks, an area of limestone cliffs worn into a labyrinth of caves and arches, which afford great views over the Giant’s Causeway. Also pay a visit to the seaside village of Portballintrae, which lies adjacent to the Giant’s Causeway, and contains one of the areas original thatched cottages and the old Coastguard Station.
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