Who: Those who enjoy coastal views and fresh air!
Where: Ards and North Down
Duration: Half Day
Coastal Path, Bangor, BT20 5ED
Start your day with a seaside walk along Belfast Lough, joining the Bangor point of the 16 mile length of coastline running from Holywood to Portavoe near Donaghadee. Make sure you visit the Eisenhower Pier, which is located to the north of Bangor Marina at Bangor Lifeboat Station and is home to a colony of black guillemots who annually nest in the harbour wall. These are known affectionately as "Bangor Penguins".
Before departing for the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower inspected the 30,000 American soldiers and sailors. They gathered in three huge US Navy battleships (the Nevada, Texas and Arkansas) in Belfast Lough off Bangor.
Follow the coastal path to Ballyholme where you can stop off for a coffee and relax in the village atmosphere.
Donaghadee, BT21 0HE
15 minutes from Bangor
Donaghadee is located at Northern Ireland's closest point to Scotland and on most days the Scottish coast is visible to the naked eye.
One of the most prominent features of the town is the Motte, or the Moat as it is known. The Moat dates back to 1818 but the site was previously used as a defensive position in the Bronze Age. Later it was improved and also provided protection against the Viking raids. Today the Moat is part of a park, giving views across the town and seawards to the Copeland Islands and, on clear days, to the Scottish coast and the Isle of Man. Recently renovated, it now houses a Camera Obscura. The Moat and Camera Obscura are open seasonally.
Donaghadee’s iconic lighthouse stands guard on the harbour keeping ships right in times of trouble with its beam and fog horn. This was a critical factor in the development of the town. Up until the middle of the 19th century Donaghadee was the province’s principal port before Belfast became the major city.
The town is home to several popular pubs and eating venues making it a perfect spot to enjoy a hearty lunch and a pub crawl! Make sure you visit Grace Neills which is considered to be one of Ireland’s oldest pubs. Established in 1611, the bar carries the name of Grace Neill, who was given the bar as a wedding present by her father, Hugh Jamison. Grace was known to be a friendly woman with a strong spirit. She would frequently smoke a clay pipe and often greet customers coming into the pub with a hug and a kiss on the cheek and she reputedly is still a resident!
Donaghadee is also the film location for BBC One's Hope Street where is is transformed into 'Port Devine' for the series. Find out more.
For more information on any of these places to visit and your ideal overnight accommodation call into or phone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069.
