- Annalong: A charming coastal village along the Mourne Coastal Route, Annalong is Located between the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea. Its scenic harbor, historic corn mill, and nearby Silent Valley Reservoir offer stunning views and peaceful walks.
- Ballyhalbert: Located on the Ards Peninsula’s east coast, Ballyhalbert boasts sandy beaches and panoramic sea views. Its quiet, rural charm and proximity to Burr Point, the easternmost point of The region, make it a scenic coastal retreat.
- Carrowdore: A quaint village on the Ards Peninsula, Carrowdore is surrounded by rolling farmland and close to Strangford Lough’s serene shores. Its rural setting and historic churches provide a peaceful, scenic backdrop.
- Clough: Set near the Mourne Mountains, Clough features a picturesque village square and the historic Clough Castle, a Norman motte-and-bailey. Its proximity to Slieve Croob offers scenic hill walks with sweeping views of County Down.
- Dundrum: A coastal village overlooking Dundrum Bay, with the Mourne Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. Its historic castle ruins and tidal mudflats, rich in birdlife, create a scenic blend of history and nature.
- Greyabbey: Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough, Greyabbey is known for its 12th-century Cistercian abbey ruins, surrounded by lush gardens. The village’s quaint streets and lough views offer a serene, scenic escape.
- Killinchy: A picturesque village near Strangford Lough, Killinchy is surrounded by drumlin hills and wetlands, ideal for birdwatching and sailing. Its rural charm and proximity to nature reserves make it a scenic gem.
- Kircubbin: Located on the Ards Peninsula, Kircubbin offers stunning views across Strangford Lough. Its quiet harbor, sandy beaches, and nearby walking trails along the lough’s shores enhance its coastal scenic appeal.
- Portaferry: A vibrant village at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, Portaferry overlooks the Narrows of Strangford Lough. Its colorful waterfront, historic castle, and Exploris Aquarium, combined with ferry trips to Strangford, create a scenic coastal haven.
- Strangford
- A tranquil village on the shores of Strangford Lough, Strangford is known for its picturesque harbor and historic charm. The nearby Castle Ward estate, with its Gothic and classical architecture, and loughside trails offer stunning scenery.
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
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
Awards
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 –
