Bushmills, a small village in County Antrim, is best known as home to the Old Bushmills Distillery, but has real historical character of its own as a former market village on the River Bush.
Whiskey Heritage
Two real dates matter here, not one. In 1608, King James I granted local landowner Sir Thomas Phillips a royal licence to distil in the Bushmills area - the “1608” date printed on Bushmills bottles today. The Old Bushmills Distillery Company itself, as a formal business, was established later, in 1784. Both dates are genuine and worth knowing; neither is “1840.” Bushmills remains a working distillery today, producing Bushmills Original (triple-distilled malt) and Black Bush, with guided tours covering the whiskey-making process.
Landmarks
The Bushmills Clock Tower stands on Main Street, alongside the Macnaghten Family War Memorial. The Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Railway, a genuine heritage attraction connecting the village to the Giant’s Causeway, was established in 1883 - a Victorian-era narrow-gauge line, not (as an earlier version of this page mistakenly said elsewhere) a “17th century tram.”
Getting Around
Bushmills sits about 7 miles from Coleraine and 7 miles from Dunluce Castle, with Portrush and Portballintrae both close by as day-trip bases. Ballycastle is a little further along the coast.
Beyond the Whiskey
Romantic riverside walks along the River Bush, the Market Square at the heart of the village, and regular street festivals and community events round out a visit. Bushmills also holds an annual Hiring Fair, a genuine local historical tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Bushmills from Coleraine? About 7 miles.
What’s Bushmills Distillery known for? Being one of the world’s oldest working distilleries, tracing its origins to a 1608 royal licence and formal establishment as a company in 1784.
What’s the connection between Bushmills and the River Bush? The village takes its name from the mills that once operated on the river - several licensed distilleries drew on its waters historically, of which today’s Old Bushmills Distillery is the survivor.
Who is Robert Quigg? A Bushmills-connected soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for actions during the Battle of the Somme in the First World War.
