County Down Visitor Travel Guide Page

We have compiled a travel and holiday information guide to help with your holiday stay in County Down.

About County Down

County Down rests on the east coast of Northern Ireland and has boundaries with Lough Neagh and the Republic of Ireland. It is named after the county town of Downpatrick. Downpatrick is famous across the world for being the reputed burial place of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick in Down Cathedral. Newry and Belfast are the largest cities within County Down. Newry is partially in County Armagh whilst Belfast is slightly in County Antrim. Other towns of note include Dundonald, Newtownards and Bangor. County Down is home to one of the most successful rugby teams in Northern Ireland, Ballynahinch. Down GAA also ensures that the Gaelic games are competitive. Gaelic football is the most popular spectator sport in Northern Ireland and there are plenty of teams with representations in the league. The major football sides of Glentoran, Cliftonville and Linfield all play in Belfast as well. The Mourne Mountains offer great scenic views and Slieve Donard is the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Strangford Lough is where the Exploris aquarium can be found. Several haunting islands can be found off the coast of County Down. Mew Island and Copeland Islands are situated just off the Ards peninsula. This is one of two peninsulas in County Down with the other being the Lecale peninsula.

Attractions & Heritage Sites within County Down

1. Downpatrick & County Down Railway - Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ The Downpatrick & County Down Railway is in Down. It is a heritage railway which runs from the station in Down to the ruins of the Cistercian Inch Abbey approximately two miles away. 2. Mount Stewart House - Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD Mount Stewart House is on the shore of Strangford Lough. Plants from every continent can be seen in the gardens here. Some of the gardens are the Sunken Garden, the Italian Garden and the Spanish Garden. 3. Castlewellan Forest Park - Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU Castlewellan Forest Park is north of the Mourne Mountains. There are places for walking, camping and horseback riding in this forest park. The lake in the park is surrounded by 18th century landscaping. See Full List of Attractions & Heritage Sites in County Down

Towns and Villages in County Down

County Down has some lovely towns and villages to explore, below is a list with a short summary and link to more information about it and pictures. Banbridge - takes its name from the bridge crossing the River Bann... More... Bangor - had a port constructed in 1620 and a Custom House in 1637... More... Castlewellan - Forest Park is a combination of splendour and tranquillity... More... Downpatrick - served as the main residence for the royals during the Dark Ages... More... Newry - Cathedral stands majestically in the centre of the city... More... Newtownards - obtained railway links to Belfast in the 1850s... More...

Useful Contact Information for County Down

Banbridge Tourist Information Centre Newry Road, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3NB Tel No: 02840 623322 Bangor Tourist Information Centre Tower House, Quay Street, Bangor, BT20 5ED Tel No: 02891 270069 Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre The Saint Patrick Centre, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ Tel No: 02844 612233 Hillsborough Tourist Information Centre The Courthouse, The Square, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG Tel No: 02892 689717 Kilkeel Tourist Information Centre The Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel, Newry, BT34 4AG Tel No: 02841 762525 Newcastle Tourist Information Centre Central Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA Tel No: 02843 722222 Newry Tourist Information Centre Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2DA Tel No: 02830 313170 Newtownards / Ards Tourist Information Centre Regent Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AD Tel No: 02891 826846 Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre The Stables, Castle Street, Portaferry, BT22 1NZ Tel No: 02842 729882

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