Visiting Cushendall, Layd, Antrim

Judyk,

I don’t know of anyone offering hand picked tours in the Layd/Cushendall area, but you could try the NI tourist centre to see if they can recommend anyone operating on a commercial basis:

https://discovernorthernireland.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-information/visitor-information-centres

I live fairly close to Layd and would be happy to meet you if you wish, as a volunteer, on behalf of IRO. You haven’t said what dates you are coming. I will be away for part of April but should be here 7th to 21st so could help on any date in  that period. I can take you to the local graveyards, and if you know which townland your ancestors lived in, I’ll do my best to take you there too.  

I would be a bit cautious with your expectations in “searching church/graveyard records.” Mostly there aren’t any. In the early 1800s few people in Ireland were all that literate and keeping accurate paper records wasn’t a priority, since hardly anyone could read them. If there’s a legible gravestone then you may find your ancestors but in general there are no burial records for the 1800s. You haven’t said what denomination your ancestors were. The Church of Ireland did keep burial records but most other denominations did not.  But even with the Church of Ireland, there are rarely any graveyard maps and so if there isn’t a gravestone, it probably won’t be possible to identify precisely where the family are buried. 

Farmers and wealthier folk could often afford a gravestone, but most labourers and the majority of the population couldn’t and so are usually in unmarked graves. (The family would have known where their family plot was but if they are gone, so is that knowledge).  Sometimes you’ll get a gravestone erected by someone in North America or elsewhere eg: “Erected by Sean X of Philadelphia, in remembrance of his parents…” etc, but for the average labourer in the 1800s there are no gravestones.

A good place to eat in Cushendall is Harry’s Wine Bar:

https://harryscushendall.co.uk

Mary McBride’s in Cushendun is pretty sound too.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1162572-d1891063-Reviews-Mary_McBride_s_The_Little_Black_Door-Cushendun_County_Antrim_Northern_Ireland.html

Let me know if you need my assistance.

Hi Elywn, thanks for your quick reply. We are arriving in Belfast on April 9. My great niece is taking part in the World's Irish Dance competition. At this point we don't know if the general public will be allowed in to it. I believe her first dance will be April 11. We are hoping to come out to Cushendall on the 10, hoping to stay over night. I believe we have to travel there by train, then bus. Any assistance you could provide in showing us around would be greatly appreciated. I know one great great uncle died in 1846. His son (who was a bachelor) died in 1901 and lived on the family farm and it was eventually purchased by one of his sisters children. I have details about this farm and his sisters's married names and children. I'll bring all this information with me. I'm not hopeful that we will find the uncle's grave but hopefully can find some of his children's graves. The family was Protestant. In the event we can get into the dance competition we may look at coming out instead on the 12 for a few days. It's sort of up in the air right now. I will also check out links you have provided in your message.  I could provide my email address for easier contact if you like. Thanks. Judy 

Judy,

E-mail me on elwynsoutter@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks Elywn. I will be in touch.