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Accommodation: 
Hotels, B&B etc
Self-catering
Mobile Homes
Holiday Parks
Camping & Touring Parks
Boating Holidays
Holiday Home Sales
County Down Tourist Information
Let us help you plan your ideal vacation in County Down...County Down is a magical county and surely has something for everyone. It forms the most easterly point of Ireland skirting east Belfast and is close to mainland Britain, where the Ards Peninsula juts out into the Irish Sea. There are miles of coastline and an almost land bound sea lough, Lough Strangford. To the south are the forlorn sounding Mountains of Mourne, which, left to the imagination, conjure up creatures out of Irish legend.
| Bangor is the largest of the towns on the north coast and from here you can travel south
east down the Ards Peninsula or south west towards the
Downs and its rounded hills. The Peninsula is breezy but also a delight, on the coast you will see seals, be able to eat the edible seaweed and picnic in the grounds of Grey Abbey
on the lough side. Travelling down this piece of land its quiet and wild, Wordsworth and
Franz Liszt have visited here. |
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The Long Sand, near to Ballywalter on the Peninsular. Photo courtesy of
| At the end of the Peninsula where Lough Strangford meets the sea is the town of Portaferry, where the waters
are squeezed through a narrow channel creating dangerous tidal currents twice a day, flows of 8
knots are common.
The Lough itself is a sanctuary to birds and wildlife, there are marshes and mudflats which give rise to a rich supply of marine life. There are plenty of appealing places to visit along its shores. |
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The wooded shore of Strangford Lough, opposite the old monastic site at Nendum. Photo courtesy of
| Across the sea narrows from Portaferry is the town of Downpatrick which services as a centre for this particular area. St Patrick is reported as being buried in the grounds of the Cathedral. There is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint, St Patrick. It's an interesting visitor attraction for all the family and explores the legacy left by the saint. Around the area there are many ancient sites to explore, including Inch Abbey and the Ballynoe Stone Circle. |
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The St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick. Photo courtesy of
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The famous Mountains of Mourne rise from the Irish Sea and peak at nearly 2,800 ft with Slieve
Donard being its highest peak.
Walkers will find Mourne Wall, its 22 miles long and encloses the water catchment areas for two lakes. Hugging its base is the little seaside town of Newcastle a good place to stay if you are thinking of walking in the area. There is also yachting, fishing from the harbour walls, golf and walks amongst the sand dunes at Murlough. On the other side of the mountains from Newcastle lies Warrenpoint and Rostrevor which line Carlingford Lough, there are ruined castles and a priory here. |
Berms backed by embryo dunes at Murlough strand, the Mountains of Mourne in the background with Newcastle lying at its base. Photo courtesy of
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County Down was also home to the Bronte sisters for those interested in literature, the remains of their father's cottage can still be seen. The Bronte homeland can be found around Glascar and Rathfriland, to the north of the Mourne Mountains. The visitor will love this county with its ruined castles and priories, long deserted coastlines, moors, mudflats and sand dunes, wild mountains and lush green irish valleys, quiet hamlets and places to just relax and unwind in. |
The 22 mile long granite wall in the Mourne Mountains. Photo courtesy of
If you are looking for accommodation, first choose the type you require:
Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.
Self
Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.
Camping and Touring Caravan Sites
Boating and Sailing Holidays
If you are planning a holiday in a static caravan or mobile home, these should be listed in the Self Catering section.
Don't forget we offer lots of information on Activities, Attractions and Travel to help you plan your vacation.
Tourist Information Centres
Banbridge200 Newry Road
Tel: 028 4062 3322 Fax: 028 4062 3114
E-mail: tic@banbridgedc.gov.uk
Bangor
34 Quay Street
Tel: 028 9127 0069 Fax: 028 9127 4466
E-mail: tic@northdown.gov.uk
Downpatrick
74 Market Street
Tel: 028 4461 2233 Fax: 028 4461 2350
E-mail: downpatrick.tic@downdc.gov.uk
Hillsborough
The Courthouse, The Square
Tel: 028 9268 9717 Fax: 028 9268 9773
E-mail: tic.hillsborough@lisburn.gov.uk
Kilkeel
6 Newcastle Street
Tel: 028 4176 2525 Fax: 028 4176 9947
E-mail: kdakilkeel@hotmail.com
Newcastle
Newcastle Centre, 10/14 Centre Promenade
Tel: 028 4372 2222 Fax: 028 4372 2400
E-mail: newcastle@nitc.net
Newry
Town Hall
Tel: 028 3031 3170 Fax: 028 3026 883
E-mail: newrytic@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Newtownards
31 Regent Street
Tel: 028 9182 6846 Fax: 028 9182 668
E-mail: tourism@ards-council.gov
Portaferry
The Stables, Castle Street
Tel: 028 4272 9882 Fax: 028 4272 9822
E-mail: tourism@ards-council.gov.uk
Useful links
None available
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