The Huguenot De la Cherois and Crommelin families came from Picardy in France, their knowledge and skill in linen production contributed to the establishment and development of the Ulster linen industry. Through marriage the two family names became joined as one surname. In 1816 the family purchased land at Cushendun and also around the townland of Skerry where the village of Newtowncrommwelin was built. A family home was built beyond the red caves and is known as  'Cave House', you entered it through the caves.

In 1865  astronomer Andrew Claude de la Cherois-Crommelin (1865-1939) was born here,  a world expert on comets. After his education he worked at the Royal Greenwich Observatory and undertook several solar eclipse expeditions. In 1910 he and fellow worker were awarded the Prix Jules Janssen, the highest award of the Société astronomique de France. His obsevations and calculations of three recorded comets which he showed to be one and the same led to the comet being named after him (27P/Crommelin), a crater on both the moon and mars are named after him. He also wrote a book entitle 'Story of the Stars.