- Bangor (64,596 inhabitants): Bangor is a coastal town on Belfast Lough. Visitors can expect a long promenade for seaside walks, marina facilities with boat views, Pickie Family Fun Park with outdoor play areas, and access to nearby Crawfordsburn Country Park for woodland paths and beach sections. The town centre provides shops, eateries, and serves as a base for local coastal leisure.
- Newtownards (29,677 inhabitants): Newtownards lies at the head of Strangford Lough. Visitors might expect Scrabo Tower on a hilltop with views across the lough and countryside, Mount Stewart house and gardens with formal layouts and walks, and local amenities in a busy market town setting close to rural and coastal areas.
- Newry (28,530 inhabitants): Newry stands on the Clanrye River near the border. Visitors can expect canal basin walks, The Quays shopping centre, Bagenal’s Castle with local history exhibits, and proximity to the Mourne Mountains for access to trails and scenic drives in the surrounding area.
- Dunbarton (17,700 inhabitants): Dunbarton is a suburban area near Bangor. Visitors might expect residential surroundings with local parks and basic facilities, along with easy access to nearby coastal paths and Bangor amenities.
- Banbridge (17,400 inhabitants): Banbridge is a market town on the River Bann. Visitors can expect a central square with local shops, proximity to Solitude Park for riverside paths and play areas, and access to nearby countryside lanes for quiet exploration.
- Newtownbreda (15,320 inhabitants): Newtownbreda forms part of the southern Belfast suburbs. Visitors might expect local community facilities, access to nearby Ormeau Park for open spaces and walks, and proximity to urban amenities in the wider Belfast area.
- Downpatrick (11,545 inhabitants): Downpatrick is linked to St Patrick. Visitors can expect Down Cathedral with its claimed burial site of the saint, Saint Patrick Centre with exhibits on his life, Inch Abbey ruins nearby, and Quoile Countryside Centre for wetland walks and wildlife views.
- Holywood (10,757 inhabitants): Holywood lies on the shores of Belfast Lough. Visitors might expect coastal paths, a golf course by the sea, local eateries, and a quiet seaside setting close to Belfast.
- Comber (9,520 inhabitants): Comber stands near Strangford Lough. Visitors can expect access to the lough shores for walks, local amenities, and proximity to Mount Stewart gardens and estate grounds.
- Warrenpoint / Burren (8,990 inhabitants): Warrenpoint / Burren is a coastal town on Carlingford Lough. Visitors might expect promenade walks with views across the lough, a small harbour, and access to nearby Rostrevor Forest for woodland paths in the Mourne foothills.
- Newcastle (8,298 inhabitants): Newcastle sits at the foot of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains. Visitors can expect a long sandy beach, promenade facilities, access to Mourne Wall walks and mountain trails, and local shops in a seaside town setting.
- Donaghadee (7,325 inhabitants): Donaghadee is a small harbour town on the coast. Visitors might expect harbour views, a promenade for seaside strolls, access to nearby Copeland Islands by boat, and a quiet coastal atmosphere.
- Carryduff (7,173 inhabitants): Carryduff is a growing suburban village south of Belfast. Visitors can expect local facilities, nearby parks, and access to countryside paths in the surrounding area.
- Kilkeel (6,633 inhabitants): Kilkeel functions as a fishing port at the mouth of the Mourne Mountains. Visitors might expect to see working boats in the harbour, local seafood options, and proximity to nearby beaches and mountain access.
- Dromore (6,395 inhabitants): Dromore is a small town on the River Lagan. Visitors can expect Dromore Mound with historical features, riverside paths, and a quiet market town setting with local amenities.
- Ballinahinch (6,164 inhabitants): Ballinahinch lies close to the southern Mournes. Visitors might expect access to nearby countryside paths, local facilities, and a calm rural atmosphere.
- Moira (4,891 inhabitants): Moira is a village near the Lagan Canal. Visitors can expect canal towpath walks, local shops, and a peaceful setting close to rural landscapes.
- Saintfield (3,588 inhabitants): Saintfield features Rowallane Garden with plant collections and woodland paths. Visitors might expect garden walks, local amenities, and access to nearby countryside.
- Ballygowan (3,138 inhabitants): Ballygowan is a small village in open countryside. Visitors can expect quiet residential surroundings and basic local facilities.
- Killyleagh (2,787 inhabitants): Killyleagh overlooks Strangford Lough with a castle overlooking the water. Visitors might expect harbour views, access to lough shores, and a quiet village setting with local amenities.
- Rostrevor (2,502 inhabitants): Rostrevor lies at the foot of the Mournes on Carlingford Lough. Visitors might expect village walks, proximity to Rostrevor Forest for trails, and coastal scenery close to Warrenpoint.
- Portaferry (2,372 inhabitants): Portaferry stands at the entrance to Strangford Lough. Visitors can expect a small harbour, views across the narrows, access to Portaferry Castle, and a ferry link to Strangford for short crossings. The village provides a calm coastal base.
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Largest town in the county: a walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Down:
Ireland’s county Down offers a mix of historic sites and scenic landscapes, with Downpatrick’s Saint Patrick Centre and cathedral providing insights into Ireland’s patron saint. The Mourne Mountains offer hiking trails with sweeping views, while Strangford Lough provides kayaking and wildlife spotting. Other attractions include the historic Tollymore Forest Park. Down is Ireland’s 12th largest county by size (2,447 square km) and fourth largest by population (553,261). Population peaked at 361,446 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 204,303, in 1911. In terms of hospitality, Down is Ireland’s 18th most visited tourist county with around 127,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
