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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.

Patrick Bronte, whose three daughters became great novelists, inspired them by tales of his youth in the Bann Valley. The quiet river valley from Banbridge to Rathfriland is nowadays called The Bronte Country.

Here is a concentration of delights for which you would motor many miles in other places - firm, clean beaches; shoals of sea fish and rivers full of game and coarse fish; championship-standard golf; two superb forest parks; two cathedrals; castles and gardens: boating. bird-watching, walking and pony trekking.

• Royal County Down Golf Club

  Newcastle, Co. Down

  Newcastle, where in the immortal words of Percy French, "The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea", Royal County Down is not only a fine test of golf but has accompanying scenery that is spellbinding.

  • Tel: +44 (0) 28 4372 3314
  • Email: enquiries@royalcountydown.org

Ardglass Golf Club
Ardminnan Golf Club
Ashfield Golf Club 
Banbridge Golf Club
Bangor Golf Club
Blackwood Golf Club
Bright Castle Golf Club
Clandeboye Golf Club
Carnalea Golf Club
Crossgar Golf Club
Down Royal Golf Club
Downpatrick Golf Club
Helen's Bay Golf Club
Hollywood Golf Club
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club
Mourne Golf Club
Ringdufferin Golf Club
Scrabo Golf Club
Warrenpoint Golf Club
Whitehead Golf Club

Main Tourist Attractions

• Crawfordsburn Country Park - Crawfordsburn

  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.
• Greyabbey - Greyabbey

  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.
• Inch Abbey - Downpatrick

  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.
• Mount Stewart House - Newtownards

  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.
• Nendrum Monastic Site - Mahee Island

  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.
• North Down Heritage Centre - Bangor

  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.
• Somme Heritage Centre - Newtownards

  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

  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.
• The St Patrick World Centre  - Downpatrick

  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
• Ulster Folk and Transport Museum - Hollywood

  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.