Cushendun if translates from the Gaelic means 'Foot of the Dun', this sheltered and safe anchorage at the mouth of the River Dun has been a landing place and ferry point between Scotland and Ireland since man first settled on the north coast. The picturesque village is situated on a raised beach at the outflow of the glacial valleys of Glendun (Glen of the Dun) and Glencorp (Glen of the Dead).

In 1830 a plan was put in motion by a local businessman Nicholas Cromelin to develop the harbour commercially so that it could cater for the surrounding district and industrial centre of Ballymena. The architect Sir John Rennie was commissioned for the design but the project failed when the government pulled out from funding it.

The village we see today owes much of its character and unique architectural heritage to Ronald John McNeill who became the 1st Baron of Cushendun in 1927. He had a vision and plan to develop the village, in 1912 he commissioned the architect Clough Williams-Ellis to design a village square with seven houses, the remit also included a public hall which was never completed.

In 1923 the architect was once again commissioned to design Mauds Cottages and Glenmona House.  After this more cottages were built in 1925, keeping with the architectural integrity of the village they were designed by  Frederick MacManus.

Cushendun has a beautiful long sweeping beach from the harbour at one end, to the boat slip close to Cara Castle where the clans would have landed their boats. The exact date of construction of the castle is unclear but it is known to have been once belonged to the McDonnell during their dominance of the north coast. It was also at one time in the possession of   Shane O'Neill .

The MacDonnells and O'Neills had many periods of hostilities between them which was in part strategically manipulated by Queen Elizabeth 1st and her representatives in Ireland, this would see one clan favoured over the other.