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Red Curfew Tower
The red sandstone Curfew Tower stands in the centre of Cushendall and was built by Francis Turnley in 1817, as "a place of confinement for idlers and rioters"
Francis Turnley, landlord of the village, was born at Richmond Lodge, County Down in 1765, his father was also Francis, and his mother was Catherine Black, a member of a wealthy family.
A position was obtained for him by his father in the East India Company and he went to China in 1796 where he amassed a great fortune of £70,000.
On his return, he bought two estates, one of which included the village of Cushendall and the Curfew Tower is perhaps the best known Turnley landmark.
Elaborate and eccentric instructions were laid down for its operation and Dan McBride, an army pensioner, was given the job of permanent garrison and was armed with one musket, a bayonet, a brace of pistols and a pike thirteen feet long.
On each side of the Tower were projecting windows which had openings for pouring molten lead on unsuspecting attackers below.
The Curfew Tower is now owned by the pop band, KLF, who recently opened it up to artists who sometimes reside in the building.
Contact the Red Curfew Tower 
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Northern Ireland Discovered is an online Travel Guide for Northern Ireland.
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