|
|
County Down - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
|
|
Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the
properties in County Down are listed. Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
SCRABO COUNTRY PARK
Country Park -
Open all year
round. Admission
Free
Tel: 028 91 811491 Fax:
028 91 820695
Web:
www.ehsni.gov.uk
|
Scrabo Tower - one of
Ireland's best known landmarks.
Overlooking
Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down,
the Tower provides visitors with some of the
finest views in the country.
|
|
 |
There is also an
exhibition detailing the history of the
building, information on the surrounding
countryside as well as a 12 minute audio-visual
show.
The paths through Killynether Wood and around
the disused sandstone quarries all offer the
opportunity for quiet countryside enjoyment.
Opening Times -
From Easter to end September. 10.30am - 6.00pm,
Saturday to Thursday. The Tower is closed each
Friday.
Admission Free
|
|
|
BRONTE HOMELAND
INTERPRETATIVE CENTRE
Situated on the Church Hill Road,
Drumballyroney, Rathfriland
(9 miles south east of Banbridge).
Tel: (028) 4062 9054 / (028) 4062 3322 Fax: 028
4063 1152
E-mail:
tic@banbridge.com
Web:
www.banbridge.com
2008 Opening Times: 17th March - Sept;
Fri, Sat and Sun 12 - 4 pm or by appointment.
Admission charges: Adult £3.
Child/Concession £2.
|
Drumballyroney
church and school where Patrick Bronte,
father of the novelist sisters, taught
and preached his first sermon.
Patrick’s
birthplace cottage near Rathfriland is on
an 8 mile signposted Homeland Drive which
starts from the centre. |
|
 |
Patrick had six children – Maria,
Elizabeth, Charlotte (“Jane Eyre”),
Branwell, Emily (“Wuthering Heights”) and
Anne (“Agnes Grey”). Patrick died on 7th
June 1861 aged 84 in Haworth, Yorkshire.
The Bronte Drive includes: Drumballyroney
Church (deconsecrated 1976) and schoolhouse.
Knockiveagh picnic site. Alice McClory’s
cottage. Patrick Bronte’s birthplace cottage.
Glascar Presbyterian Church and schoolhouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Killyleagh Castle
Killyleagh Castle, Killyleagh, BT30 9QA
Tel: 028 448 28261
E-mail:
info@killyleaghcastle.com
Web:
www.killyleagh.com
Killyleagh Castle dates back to the 17th century
where it was the home of the Hamilton family.
Today the castle is used for the concerts,
guided tours even accommodation, Self-catering
services allowing visitors to stay in one of the
historic battlement apartments.
|
|
[back to top]
|
|
|
|
|
|
NENDRUM MONASTIC SITE
Comber, County Down
Tel: 028 9054 3037
E-mail us
Web:
www.ehsni.gov.uk
|
Traditionally
founded in the 5th century by St. Machaoi,
the Nendrum Monastic Site is a fine
example of an island monastery.
First documented as a parish church in
1306, but abandoned for a mainland site
at Tullynakill during the 15th century. |
|
 |
There are references from the 7th-century until
976AD when the Abbot was burned in his house,
perhaps in a Viking raid and in the late-12th
century a small Benedictine cell was founded here.
There is a summer cottage, built on the site in
the early-20th century, which is now being used as
a visitor centre. The Centre houses interactive
and graphic displays, models, artefacts and video.
There are other facilities at the site including
Guided Tours, a Picnic Area, Toilets and a small
private car park. Visit
www.ehsni.gov.uk for more information
|
|
|
|
|
Bangor Abbey
Abbey Street/Newtownards Road, Bangor
Tel: 028 9127 1200 Fax:
028 9146 0173
Established in 558 by Saint Comghall and
featured in the Mappa Mundi, the first map of
the world, Bangor Abbey has been destroyed and
rebuilt throughout history. To view the
interior, prior arrangements must be made,
however the exterior and graveyard are freely
accessible.
|
|
[back to top]
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASTLE WARD
Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7LS
Tel: 028 4488 1204 Fax:
028 4488 1729
E-mail: castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web:
www.ntni.org.uk
Events for
December 07 to
March 08:
Santa's House -
28th November to
21st December
A Christmas
Masked Ball -
15th December
Dinner & A Movie
- Jan to March
|
Castle Ward is a
unique 820 acre landscape park, located in a
stunning part of County Down along the shores of
Strangford Lough.
The mid-Georgian Mansion is set in atmospheric
woodland boasting stunning views over Strangford
Lough.
|
|
 |
It is an architectural curiosity of its time,
built inside and out in two distinct styles,
Classical and Gothic all because husband and
wife could not agree! The property boasts 14
miles of trails for walking, horse-riding,
cycling and orienteering; kayaking and boat
trips on Strangford Lough. An extensive events
programme from open-air concerts to craft fairs.
Property facilities include a Gift shop,
Bookshop, Tearoom, Victorian Playroom, Adventure
Playground, Playground, Stableyard, Wildlife
Centre and Farmyard.
|
|
|
|
|
Annalong Marine Park
Annalong, Down
Tel: 028 3026 8877 Fax:
028 3026 8833
Launch a boat, view the Herb Garden, follow the
Marine Park Trail, and view the exhibitions at
the Visitors Centre.
|
|
Grey Abbey House
Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2QA
Tel: 028 4278 8668 Fax:
028 4278 8652
E-mail:
daphne.montgomery@greyabbeyestates.com
Web:
greyabbeyhouse.com
The Montgomery family home since 1607, built on
land overlooking Strangford Lough. In 1862
the present house was built, with its Georgian
architecture and 18th Century plasterwork.
Although the gardens were reduced, there are
still many notable features worth seeking out,
including ancient woodlands and the ruins of a
Cistercian abbey, founded in 1193. By
appointment from the 1st May - 1st October.
|
|
|
New Members required for this section!
To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
|
|
[back
to top] |
|
