County Down

Northern Ireland is a country of beauty and variety; and no part of it combines so much of each in so neat and compact an area as the heart of Down. The world knows that the Mountains o’ Mourne sweep down to the sea' - at Newcastle. The sea itself invades the land, forming the great bird sanctuary and yachting paradise of Strangford Lough. St Patrick sailed into the lough in A.D. 432 and eventually died - at Downpatrick. The Ards Peninsula with it's rolling drumlins and protected coves forms a shelter for the waters of Strangford Lough. County Down, (Contae An Dúin in Irish) is one of the six counties that form Northern Ireland, covering an area of 2,448 km˛ (945 square miles). It lies in the province of Ulster. The estimated population in 1992 was 416,600, a more recent approximation puts it at about 516,000. The county town is Downpatrick, and the largest town is Bangor.

Down contains both the southernmost point in Northern Ireland (Cranfield Point) and the easternmost point on the island of Ireland (Burr Point). The county borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east and County Armagh to the west.

Main Tourist Attractions Include :

The St Patrick World Centre

Located in Downpatrick is a new and exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint. Through Patrick's own words a light is shone on the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore how Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times and reveal the fabulous artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age. The exhibition also examines the major impact of Irish missionaries in Dark Age Europe - a legacy which remains to this day.

North Down Heritage Centre

Located at Castle Park Avenue, Bangor. Amongst other artifacts on display in the centre are the Ballycroghan Swords dating from BC 500, and a ninth century handbell found near Bangor. There are also toys and a railway display. During the summer months there is an observation beehive.

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Located at Hollywood, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum recaptures a disappearing way of life and celebrates transport history. Stroll through yesteryear's countryside and a typical Ulster Town. Observe bygone crafts and view Ireland's largest transport collection. There's an open-air museum, indoor galleries, road and rail transport galleries featuring everything from locomotives to the infamous Delorean car. There's a full list of activities and events for all the family, young and old.

Crawfordsburn Country Park

Crawfordsburn Country Park on the southern shores of Belfast Lough is a park full of variety. It features 3.5km of coastline, often rugged and rocky. The two best beaches in the Belfast area are also located here, a deep wooded glen with an attractive waterfall and flowery meadows with excellent views over the Lough. A series of way marked trails help you to explore the Park.

Nendrum Monastic Site

Located at Mahee Island, Comber, this is a classic example of a pre-Norman monastic enclosure. Created by Saint Patricks convert Saint Mochaoi, it sits on a beautiful site on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. Also on the site are the remains of a round tower stump as well as the foundations of other buildings. The Nendrum bell founded on this site is now held in the Ulster Museum.

Somme Heritage Centre

Located at Bangor Road, Newtownards, this centre marks Ireland's contribution to the First World War, featuring reconstructed trenches of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. There is also an audio-visual presentation and a shop.

Strangford Lough

Strangford is a large sea inlet with a meandering shoreline of 150 miles. The gigantic inland sea, has about 120 small islands and is surrounded almost entirely by land, resulting in an enormous diversity of easily accessible diving sites. Quite simply Strangford Lough is a unique marine biologist paradise. The life of the seabed and around the wrecks is varied and prolific with urchins, anemones, sea squirts, scallops, crabs, prawns and octopus.

Grey Abbey

Substantial remains of this twelfth century Cistercian abbey still stand. Strong links with English abbeys of the time created a steady flow of traffic across the Irish Sea. Mysterious and atmospheric, the beautiful parkland setting and fascinating medieval Physick Garden make a wonderful picnic spot. The Abbey may be opened on request during the winter months and weekends.

Mount Stewart House

Located at Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Mount Stewart House was once the boyhood home of Robert Stewart, Lord Castlereagh. Its gardens are currently among the finest in Europe, with an unrivalled collection of plants, colourful parterres and vistas. The Temple of the Winds overlooks Strangford Lough.

Inch Abbey

Just north-west of Downpatrick lies Inch Abbey. Built before 800AD, it was destroyed by vikings and later came back to life as a Cistercian monastry founded by John de Courcy. A raised causeway now leads to the site, which, as the name suggests, was an island in the Quoile. A lot of the Abbey has been reduced to ground level but the east end of the church, with its three early English lancet windows, chapter house and reflectory is still well preserved.