Northern Ireland:Layout 1 02/05/2007 15:29 Page 231
world-famous links at Royal County Down, while the forest parks at STRANGFORD LOUGH
nearby Tollymore and Castlewellan are famed for their beauty. For Separated from the sea by the Ards Peninsula, Strangford Lough is
families, there’s a superb water-entertainment centre at Tropicana on 25km long. This very scenic area is a popular leisure amenity and a
the Central Promenade, Tel: (028) 4372 5034, and an indoor haven for wildlife, including grey seals and seabirds. Strangford Lough
adventure playground at Coco’s, Tel: (028) 4372 6226. Call the Interpretive Centre in the grounds of Castleward Estate interprets the
Newcastle Tourist Information Centre on (028) 4372 2222 for further lough’s rich marine and birdlife. Contact (028) 4488 1411.
information. On the shores of Strangford Lough toward Killeagh, on the outskirts
of Downpatrick is Delamont Country Park – a haven of peace and
NEWRY & MOURNE serenity set among pastures and woodlands. With country paths and
Located in the south-eastern corner of Northern Ireland, the Newry & breathtaking views, the summer months are packed with events for the
Mourne area extends from the southern slopes of the Mourne family, including a kids adventure park and Ireland’s longest miniature
Mountains to the Ring of Gullion, offering its visitors a great diversity railway. The park is open from 9am to dusk. Tel: (028) 4482 8333.
of scenery, cultural and leisure activities and excellent sporting
facilities. Newry & Mourne boasts some of the most dramatic and CO. DERRY
picturesque scenery in Ireland. Rising dramatically from the sea, the One of Northern Ireland’s most
Mourne Mountains dominate the South Down landscape. To the west northerly counties, County Derry takes
of Newry lies drumlin landscape around Crossmaglen and the its name from the Irish word for ‘oak
Portstewart
ANTRIM
legendary Ring of Gullion, which are steeped in Celtic mythology. For
DONEGAL
Coleraine grove’, doire. In the distant past, the
full details on festivals, events and things to do in the area, contact
Limavady
area was called Doire Columcille,
the Newry Tourist Information Centre on (028) 3026 8877 or email:
Derry
indicative of its importance in the life
newrytic@newryandmourne.gov.uk.
Dungiven
and work of St. Columcille. On lovely
Lough Foyle, Derry is Ireland’s only
Magherafelt
shopping shopping N walled city and is an excellent base
Newry Dundalk Farmers’ Market, John Michael Place, Newry; Tel:
TYRONE
for exploring the north west. County
(028) (048 from ROI) 3031 3024; Email: towns include Limavady and
farmersmarket@newryandmourne.gov.uk. The Newry Farmers’ Market Coleraine, while along the north coast, the picturesque seaside resort
operates every Friday from 9am to 2pm at Newry Market, John Mitchel of Portstewart has an excellent beach and long promenade, perfect for
Place. Produce sold at the market is sourced locally from craft and exploring the famous Causeway Coast to the east. To the north and
food artisans most of whom operate using traditional methods. All the west of Derry is Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula. Must-see
produce is grown, raised, caught, baked, sewn or made by hand by the sights include: Glenveagh National Park, Letterkenny; The Grianan of
people selling it! The market offers visitors a chance to meet the Aileach; and Ireland’s most northerly point, with its breathtaking view
locals (who do like a chat) have a coffee, relax and experience local of the Atlantic Ocean, Malin Head at the tip of Inishowen.
food and craft at its best.
DERRY CITY
NEWTOWNARDS On the River Foyle, Derry is a lively and prosperous city with a
Newtownards dates back to a 6th century monastic settlement. This fascinating history dating back to its foundation in the 6th century by
ancient legacy includes a ruined 13th century Dominican Friary on St. Columcille. Just four miles from the border with Donegal, Derry is
Court Street and some fine 18th and 19th century architecture around a vibrant city filled with excellent shops, restaurants, hotels and pubs.
the town. About 2km southwest is Scrabo Country Park. The view of Derry is known as the culture capital of the north west, with more than
Strangford Lough from the top of the Memorial Tower is worth the its fair share of artists and festivals, including the ever-popular
122-step climb. The town also has a large shopping centre. The Hallowe’en Carnival. Meander through Derry’s picturesque inner city
Tourist Information Centre is at 31 Regent Street. Tel: (028) 9182 and listen to 1,450 years of history. Stroll along its 17th century walls
6846. and see the ever-changing skyline of a city constant in the warmth of
its welcome. Derry is the only remaining completely walled city in
PORTAFERRY Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city throughout
Portaferry is a small town at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, near the Europe. Dating from the early part of the 17th century, the walls are
Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It is home to the an impressive eight metres high and nine metres thick and have seen
Northern Ireland Aquarium – Exploris – which is Northern Ireland’s several sieges over the years, the most celebrated lasting 105 days.
premier marine life centre, featuring walk-through tanks and plenty for Today, no visit would be complete without a stroll along these historic
the whole family. Portaferry is well known for its beautiful scenery and
the warm welcome given to its visitors. A passenger/car ferry service
operates daily between the villages of Portaferry and Strangford, less
than one mile apart.
pointofinterest activities & pastimes
Exploris, Portaferry, Co. Down. Tel: (028) 4272 8062; Email:
info@exploris.org.uk; Web:
www.exploris.org.uk. See, explore and
discover a life under the sea…Exploris is Northern Ireland’s public
aquarium, and presents the wonders of the deep. A special feature for
visitors is the Seal Sanctuary, in which sick or orphaned seal pups are
rehabilitated and then released back into the wild. At Exploris
Aquarium you can see how animals and plants live in communities in
the wild, with a journey through Strangford Lough and into the Irish
Sea. Children love feeling the suction power of a spiny starfish or
tickling a prickly sea urchin in one of the Discovery Pools. Divers visit
regularly to feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Exploris is open seven days a week, and will have a regular programme
of events running throughout the summer months. This year’s summer
exhibition is ‘Sea Monsters, Myths and Legends’. The 17th century St. Columb’s Cathedral in Derry City.
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