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Bushmills was
formerly known as Portcaman, it developed with water powered industries
of the 1600's to became one of the main centre's for corn, flax,
spade and whiskey production. The river once powered
seven mills along its stretch through the village, one
of the first mills in County Antrim existed here. The Diamond area is typical
of many old traditional Ulster towns and villages where the corners are gathering places for
the exchange of news and banter, a way of life that passes
silently from one generation to another. As it does in many Ulster
villages, The War Memorial stands in tribute to the young men who left
these same corners and rural fields never to return. Their story and bravery told by
only a few
who returned, like Robert Quigg V.C. from the townland of
Ardihannon. The village has a unique North Antrim
quality and is recognised as being authentic in the Ulster Scots tongue,
the 'Alphabet Angel' one of the world's first physical markers to the
tongue was created with the community by the sculptor Ross Wilson and
was unveiled in 2004. A walk along the Main Street will reveal the odd shop or bar that can only be described as
living heritage. Desognated a conservation area and with over ninety
listed buildings. The community hopes this will be enough to conserve
the unique character of Bushmills for generation to come and keep
developers within enforced guidelines.
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