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The restoration of the Bushmills Old National School is moving forward, and The Bushmills Trust needs your help!  Join them at two upcoming community sessions where they will share their plans and gather your memories, ideas, and input.

Drop-in Sessions:

• Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM
• Sunday, October 5th, 2025 | 2:00 - 4:30 PM. (Salmon & Whiskey Festival Weekend)

The Bushmills Trust project office, 47 Main Street, located across from the Old School, will be open on the evening of Thursday, 25th and during the annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival (October 3rd - 5th). It is hoped festival-goers will take a break from the food, drink, and music to discover how this long-established local charity is bringing new life to this historic building.

A Rich Heritage

The Bushmills Old National School was built in 1842 by Sir Francis Macnaghten, a prominent local landowner, as part of a major educational development program throughout Ireland. Sir Francis also constructed much of Bushmills, including the Market Square, the Court House, and the new bridge.

After closing in the 1950s, the building served as a Royal British Legion hall before falling into disuse. At the dawn of the 21st century, New York City's Ron Faia fell in love with Bushmills and acquired several properties, including the old school. He had ambitious plans, but they couldn't proceed due to the village's conservation status constraints.

The Bushmills Trust, a community-owned registered charity, purchased the Old School in 2016. Guided by the Village Plan—shaped through extensive community consultations—they have reimagined the site as a central feature of a landscaped pedestrian link.

Moving Forward

The Bushmills Trust reached a significant milestone by securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund. These resources will advance the property's development phase and support its restoration.

Meanwhile, the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is developing a Public Realm scheme that incorporates the Old School into a pedestrian link connecting the car park to the village. The project is being supported by the NI Housing Executive who own part of the site. Together, these initiatives will bring the community's decade-long vision to life, featuring a dedicated community meeting room with kitchen facilities and connecting with the Council's new civic space proposals.

Share Your Stories

The Project Team are particularly interested in gathering stories about this building's varied history. Do you remember tales of dances and events from when it was the Royal British Legion Hall? Perhaps you have heard old school-day stories from former pupils and teachers? Bring your yarns and your old photographs of local characters linked to the history of this iconic building and help give the past a future!

Drop in, say hello, learn more about the project, and share your vision for this historic building's future.  For more information or if you can't make the upcoming sessions but wish to contribute, email mail@thebushmillstrust.com