This was almost certainly a "punishment" carried out by loyalist paramilitaries against someone they didn't like, possibly for being a tout. I haven't been back for a few years, but Bushmills is kind of a sad place. Aside from the distillery it's mostly boarded up shopfronts painted to look like they're still occupied.
If they'll ship to wherever you are, you should give Mash Gang a try. My personal favourite is a fruited west-coast IPA, but mostly I just like that they're constantly trying new things. Since giving up alcohol, it's the closest I've gotten to that feeling of trying a bunch of crazy craft beers and not knowing exactly what you're about to get.
Boo fucking hoo! Let me play them the world's tiniest violin.