£50,000 toilet facilities project reinstated at Ronán’s Way

Thursday 17 September 2026

A £50,000 project to provide toilet facilities at Ronán’s Way near Cushendun has been reinstated after land ownership concerns put the plans at risk.

Ronán’s Way, on the McAuley family’s working farm near Cushendun, honours his wish to share the beauty of Glendun with others. Its routes stretch from riverside fields to upland peatland, with views towards Scotland.

The toilet facilities project had been withdrawn from a wider PEACEPLUS-funded trails scheme. A redesigned proposal has now won support, following discussions that councillors heard had resolved concerns for Ronan’s family.

Why the funding was withdrawn

In March, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee approved improvements at Layde Path and Cottage Wood as part of the Cushendall Trails Project.

However, funding plans for toilet facilities at Ronán’s Way were withdrawn because the land is not owned by the council. Officers warned that this could delay the project and put it at risk of missing the funding deadline.

Then-independent councillor Margaret Anne McKillop called for the proposal to return to the council’s project board for an “in-depth discussion”.

Revised proposal secures £50,000

An officers’ report presented to September’s committee meeting said the PEACEPLUS Partnership had considered a redesigned option in August and had been told the landowner was “happy to proceed with the project”.

The partnership agreed to reinstate the project and provide £50,000 in funding. The supplied report details do not specify the revised improvements or a delivery timetable.

Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Watson thanked PEACEPLUS and council staff for “delivering a solution to the issue”.

“Knowing the concern that it caused for Ronán’s family, I’m glad that they are content with this outcome,” she added.

Sharing the landscape Ronan called home

UUP councillor John Wisener also welcomed the outcome, congratulating the PEACEPLUS team and representatives involved.

Built and maintained by the McAuley family, Ronán’s Way gives visitors access to Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim, through a network of four waymarked walking loops.

The routes pass through farmland, woodland and peatland, taking in old houses, the Glendun River and views across the glen. The longest climbs to the top of the glen, with distant views towards the Mull of Kintyre.

Four routes for walkers

The green Riverside Lower Loop is 1.5km and graded moderate. Starting at the car park, it follows farm lanes and riverside fields past Sevagh House before returning along the river. A spur from Sevagh House towards the pedestrian footbridge offers the option of roughly halving the walk.

The yellow Middle Loop is 2km and graded strenuous. It climbs through scattered woodland to Timpin House on the middle slopes of the glen, then follows the farm lane down towards Sevagh House and the riverside fields.

The blue Middle Loop is 3km and graded strenuous. From the car park, it climbs through woodland towards Timpin House, where walkers can return down the farm lane or continue along the middle slopes before descending to join the Riverside Loop.

The red Upper Mountain Loop is 5.5km and graded strenuous. It climbs through woodland and past Timpin House to peatland at the top of the glen, before descending to connect with the middle and riverside routes.

Visiting Ronán’s Way

The trails are on Glendun Road, near Cushendun, County Antrim, with an approximate postcode of BT44 0TF. Paths include farm tracks, grassy fields and woodland sections, and can be steep and muddy in places.

Even the shortest full loop is graded moderate, while the other three are strenuous — an important distinction for anyone choosing a route.

Visitors are asked to respect the McAuley family’s property, land and farming activities. The walks remain part of a working farm, whose owners have made it possible for others to enjoy the landscape Ronan wanted to share.