Dunadry: Hotels between River and History

Medieval fortifications, mills, bridges and a garden walk each offer a different focus. Six Mile Water shapes both the landscape and industrial development; individual historic buildings also tell the story of later transport and architectural styles.

Between Fort and Mills

In the early 14th century, Dunadry was one of three important feudal fortifications in the County of Antrum. In the 17th century, the historic site was known as The Middle Fort (Dun-Eddery): it stood midway between three forts on the road from Tara to Dunseverick. A fort associated with Dunadry stood at the confluence of Rathmore Burn and the Sixmilewater River. The recorded names of the forts are thus linked to a specifically named historic route and river landscape.

In the 18th century, Daniel Blow founded the Blow’s Mill paper mill within The Middle Fort. A paper mill in Dunadry was also converted into a linen mill powered by the Six Mile River; production continued until the 1920s. This industrial development adds the use of the river for production to the story of the forts.

Bridges and Historic Architecture

The original mill buildings of the Dunadry Inn are still standing. The main building has five bays and two storeys and is built of coursed basalt rubble stone. Five-bay describes its division into five bays; the number of storeys and the building material add to the description of its historic architecture.

Dunadry Bridge is a three-arched bridge of dressed stone dating from 1832. Its distinctive, sharply angled abutment piers stand out. Another transport link is represented by the four-bay Victorian railway bridge, dating from around 1850. It carries the railway over Six Mile Water and Dunadry Road on the line between Templepatrick and Antrim and remains in use.

Clady Cottage is another distinctive historic building: this single-storey, two-bay thatched cottage dates from around 1780 and has a fanlight above the front door. Dunadry’s architectural history is reflected in a range of structures, from the mill building to bridges and a small home.

River, Garden and Peace Tree

Six Mile Water flows through rolling farmland towards Summerhill. The river is associated with the protected river water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans, which is protected under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985. The species is easiest to see at Dunadry Bridge when it is in flower, around July. If you would like to observe it in person, you should arrange permission to access the site in advance.

The Dunadry Gardens & River Walk runs through the hotel grounds alongside the centuries-old millrace on the Six Mile River to the Secret Garden. The gardens are also home to the Peace Tree, made up of two lime trees that have grown together for more than 100 years. In May 1998, after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the tree was photographed with Tony Blair, Lord David Trimble and John Hume.

A Distinctive Taste

The Cellar in Dunadry is located in the original working cellar of the historic hotel and offers private wine and whiskey tastings. This specific food-and-drink experience complements the local history and riverside and garden landscape. When comparing hotels in Dunadry, you can consider whether architecture, a connection with nature or a private tasting is especially important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Larne, Ballymoney, Templepatrick, Crumlin, Newtownabbey, Cushendall, Carnlough, Antrim

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