County Down

County Down is renowned for its beautiful hilly country and then in the south for the famous Mountains of Mourne that really do go down to the sea as in the famous song. To the East the Ards Peninsula forms a barrier between the sea and Strangford Lough. The city of Belfast sits on the border of County Down and County Antrim and has many attractions including fine shopping, the Titanic heritage and Hillsborough Castle.

In County Down the small towns are a real pleasure to visit and explore. The market town of Banbridge with its charming bridges across the river Bann and hilly backdrop is a delight, and the seaside town of Bangor has popularity with summer visitors. The Ulster Way passes though this area and attracts many people looking for some good walking trails. The forest parks around Castlewellan are popular with walkers and the church at Moira a tranquil place to visit.

This area has seen a lot of historic smuggling and the number of pubs in the village of Hilltown give a flavour of the legacy of this trade. With the small fishing ports of Killeel and Kircubbin the area is really enchanting. Off the coast there are a number of wrecks thanks to the dangerous reefs which are now a diving attraction. Stately homes include the home of the Hamilton family at Killyleagh Castle.

The town of Newry forms the border between Northern Ireland and the South and has many historic connections, and is a popular shopping centre today. At Rathfriland visit the market and explore some of the historical sights in the town connected with the potato famine and with the pioneering days in Canada. Whether it is a quiet days fishing by a river or lake, or a bracing walk into the Mountains of Mourne County Down is welcoming and a real pleasure to visit.