About County Down
County Down, is one of the nine counties that form the province of
Ulster and one of six counties that form Northern Ireland. The
county forms an area of 2,448 km2. The estimated population in 1992
was 416,600, a more recent approximation puts it at about 516,000.
The county town is Downpatrick, but the largest town is Bangor. The
only whole city is Newry, although east and parts of south Belfast
as well as south Lisburn lie within the county also.Down contains
both the southernmost point in Northern Ireland (Cranfield Point)
and the easternmost point in Ireland (Burr Point). The county
borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east and
County Armagh to the west.
Holiday Homes in County Down
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Down contains two significant peninsulas: Ards Peninsula and Lecale
peninsula. The county has a coastline along Belfast Lough to the
north and Carlingford Lough to the south (both of which have access
to the sea). Strangford Lough lies between the Ards Peninsula and
the mainland. Down also contains part of the shore of Lough Neagh.
Smaller loughs include Lough Island Reavy. The River Lagan forms
most of the border with County Antrim. The River Bann also flows
through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers include
the Clanrye and Quoile. There are several islands off the Down
coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and the Copeland Islands, all
of which lie to the north of the Ards Peninsula. Gunn Island lies
off the Lecale coast. In addition there are a large number of small
islands in Strangford Lough. County Down is where, in the words of
the famous song by Percy French, "The mountains of Mourne sweep down
to the sea", and the granite Mourne Mountains continue to be
renowned for their beauty. Slieve Donard, at 849 m (2,785 ft), is
the highest peak in the Mournes and in Northern Ireland. Another
important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534 m (1,752 ft), the source of
the River Lagan.
Castle Ward
Castle Ward’s 300ha (750 acre) walled estate is in a stunning
location overlooking Strangford Lough. The mid-Georgian mansion is
an architectural curiosity of its time, built inside and out in two
distinct styles, Classical and Gothic. To discover the full story of
this house a tour is recommended, this unravels the mystery behind
the two different styles. Castle ward also gives a full favour of
how a house and estate worked with its upstairs downstairs tales,
its Victorian laundry and the waterdriven cornmill. Inside the
beautiful 750 acre walled estate you will find an exotic sunken
garden, paths that wind their way through woodland and suddenly open
onto the quiet shores of the Lough. Castle Ward has something for
everyone. Look out for the Artists in Residence programme working in
a traditional cottage with studio.
Down Royal Racecourse
The Down Royal Corporation of Horse breeders was created in 1685 by
Royal Charter from King James II, the objective being the
encouragement of horse breeding in the County of Down. Down Royal
Racecourse has brought the “Sport of Kings “ to generations of
people in Ulster since then, and is proud to boast some of the most
modern facilities for any racegoer. Since the early 1990’s the
racecourse has undertaken major development and modernisation. Phase
1 in 1993 saw the completion of a new Grandstand which incorporated
fourteen Corporate Boxes, VIP Hospitality Suite, Public Bar and an
elevated viewing area overlooking the track and finish post. In 2008
further development will commence with an additional Grandstand, 11
Corporate Boxes, Hospitality suites and Public Bar. Home of the
Specsavers Ulster Derby at the three day Summer Festival of Racing
and the long established two day NI Festival of Racing in
October/November, Down Royal Racecourse is a popular day out for men
and women of all ages.
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Exploris Aquarium
Exploris is Northern Irelands only public aquarium and Seal
Sanctuary. Exploris presents the wonders of the Irish Sea, in the
conservation village of Portaferry, on the shores of Strangford
Lough, one of the most important marine sites in Europe. A visit to
the aquarium enables the visitor to view and learn about the marine
species that are indigenous to Strangford Lough and the coastline of
the island. Marine communities are recreated to enable the visitor
to gain a better understanding of the complex inter relationships
between different species. The Discovery Pools at Exploris give you
the opportunity to interact with a variety of living marine animals.
The Discovery Pools are run by experienced guides at regular
intervals throughout each day.
Mount Stewart House and Gardens
Situated on the tranquil shores of Strangford Lough, the impressive
house and inspirational award-winning gardens at Mount Stewart have
an unique story to tell. Home of the Londonderry family, the house
and it's contents reflect the remarkable history of the family. The
house tour includes world famous paintings and stories about the
prominent guests and the people who have worked there over the
centuries. Take time to explore the gardens that are among the
finest in Europe. every corner brings new surprises, form the
manicured formal terraces, to the grandeur of the lake and the views
from the Temple of the Winds. Mount Stewart's gardens overflow with
the vibrant colour of rare plants that thrive in the mild climate of
the Ards Peninsula.
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, NITB Best Visitor Attraction
2004, is one of Ireland’s foremost visitor attractions illustrating
the way of life and the traditions of the people of the north of
Ireland. At the open air Folk Museum 60 acres are devoted to
illustrating the way of life of people in the early 1900s. Costumed
visitor guides, working buildings and exhibits all bring our stories
to life. Indoors the Folk Gallery features a number of exhibitions.
The Transport Museum boasts the most comprehensive transport
collection in Ireland. The Irish Railway Collection is displayed in
an award-winning gallery. Along side the Irish Railway Collection
are the Road Transport Galleries. These Galleries boast a fine
collection of vehicles ranging from cycles, motorcycles, trams,
buses, fire engines and cars. Also, the “Titanic” exhibition and the
“Flight” exhibition are located in the General Transport Galleries.
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Cottages Down
Silent Valley
The Silent Valley is a Mountain Park situated in the high Mournes
and features a dam ringed by dramatic Mountain panoramas and the
famous Mourne wall located in the U-shaped valley of the Kilkeel
river. The 200 acre site below the reservoir is a combination of
mountain, moorland and woodlands making it an ideal setting for
flora and fauna. The Silent Valley is an area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. The Park is surrounded with breathtaking countryside, to the
east Craggy Binnian, to the west the Cliffs of Slievenag Lough, and
to the north Doon and Ben Crom. The information centre and
restaurant are housed in two old colonial style bungalows, the last
remnants of the construction period. The information centre tells
the story of the Silent Valley via the exhibition. The restaurant
has impressive views over the mountain-park and is opened at 11.00am
to 6.30pm each day each day in June, July and August and at weekends
and bank holidays in April, May and September. The seminar complex
is fully equipped with up-to-date facilities, thus providing a
distinct location for conferences. The complex is for hire all year
around and can be booked via the Water Service’s administration
department. There is a shuttle bus service at the mountain park
which frequently operates to/from Ben Crom to/from the car park.
This service is available during the months of May, June and
September at weekends, and July and August daily.
The Mountains of Mourne
The Mourne Mountains were formed 65 million years ago. They are made
of granite which is an igneous rock. Granite is a hard wearing rock
which is found at the base or bottom of the earth's crust. It cools,
solidifies and then becomes granite. There are 12 peaks over 2000
feet high, including Northern Ireland's highest mountain, Slieve
Donard. The Mournes are unusual in that their summits are grouped
together in a compact area only 7 miles in breadth. The Mourne
Mountains - Famous the world over through Percy French's song "Where
the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea".
Ava Gallery Bangor
Our aim is to provide a unique and exciting visual experience to all
art enthusiasts and we welcome all visitors to our gallery in its
elegant surroundings. We regularly show solo and group exhibitions
by contemporary artisits, including Martin Mooney, Colin Watson,
Gareth Reid, Emma Connolly and Lindy Guinness, as well as specialist
exhibitions that often attract international attention for the high
calibre or work on display. Run by Dickon Hall and Sara Thompson,
the gallery brings together a unique depth of academic knowledge,
art market experience and international contacts unparalleled in
Northern Ireland. Together with a varied programme of exhibitions we
work closely with private buyers at every level and every stage of
the collecting process and welcome all art related enquiries.
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Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre
Make the award-winning Tourist Information and Visitor Centre your
first stop in Portaferry for all you need to know about places to
visit, where to stay, local events and where to eat during your
visit to the Ards Peninsula. Situated within the walls of Portaferry
Castle, overlooking scenic Strangford Lough and within a short walk
from the town centre, the Tourist Information Centre provides you
with local and national tourist information, an accommodation
booking service, fax and photocopying service. The centre also has a
wide range of souvenirs for sale. Visit "Art in The Loft' a series
of exhibitions by local craftspeople running throughout the season
and enjoy an audiovisual presentation of places of interest in
Northern Ireland in our exhibition room. The Centre prides itself on
delivering a high standard of customer service and has been awarded
a Charter Mark in recognition of this. Lift access is available to
the upper floor.
Avalon Guitar Factory
World famous acoustic guitar factory, established in 1990 as Lowden
Guitars, now bears the name "Avalon Guitars". Since the present
facility was established in 1990, every guitar produced at our
workshop in Newtownards is the result of many hours of expert
craftsmanship, using only the finest tonewoods to produce an
instrument of finesse and tonal superiority. Avalon Guitar's
customers are among some of the most respected names in contemporary
music - Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, The Corrs, David Gray, Shawn
Colvin, The Edge and Paul Brady can all testify to the exceptional
qualities, both in sound and appearance, of the Avalon Guitar.
Visitors are very welcome for a guided tour which takes in each
stage of the production, showing the transformation of raw timber
into an exquisite blend of woods and shapes and sounds.
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