Welcome to 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.
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Information Down Ireland
County Down has St. Patrick’s Country at its heart, the Mourne Mountains in the south and Strangford Lough – a haven for wild fowl – in the north.
Hare’s Gap in the southern mountains known as Mourne is a famed area for hillwalkers. The range sweeps down to the sea, and the trail from Trassey Track to Hare’s Gap is a favourite for hikers. Places to admire on the aesthetic front include the beautiful Spelga Pass, and the mountains are speckled with lakes too. The Mourne Mountains are, as the name suggests, actual mountains, and hillwalkers are advised to take all the essentials, including maps and compasses. The Mourne Wall is a great aid for walkers, which is a marathon length stretch of drystone wall connecting the inner summits of the Mournes.
St Patrick himself is said to have landed in Down to begin his mission of conversion. A local chief, Dichu, was won over early in Patrick’s mission, and he provided Ireland’s patron saint with a barn from where he began his ministry. Saul Church marks the supposed place. Built in 1932, the church that stands there (not far from the town of Downpatrick) marked the fifteen hundredth anniversary of Patrick’s arrival. Struell’s Well marks the spot where Patrick tested his stamina by taking a dunk in the icy waters.
Ecclesiastical history can be further explored at any number of locations in County Down. Downpatrick Cathedral marks the supposed spot of Patrick’s last burial (interred there by Sir John deCourcy – or so he swore – in the twelfth century, along with saints Columba and Brigid). It is unknown whether Patrick’s body does indeed lie within the cathedral walls. Indeed, it is still not known for sure if Patrick himself ever existed.
Meanwhile, Inch Abbey is a Cistercian monastery also worth a visit. Three churches of seventeenth century origin are located at Loughinisland.
Attractions Down Ireland
Down Tourist Attractions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
The Golf Courses Down Ireland
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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
