Donaghadee Harbour viewed from The Moat which overlooks the town - with Scotland visible on the horizon Donaghadee ‘Alias Montgomery’ stone, Cottage Kitchen, Killaughey Road Donaghadee was an ancient Christian site just north of Templepatrick, where centuries of local tradition say St Patrick landed in the 5th century – having sailed from Portpatrick in Scotland. At the beginning of the 1600s Donaghadee was acquired by Sir Hugh Montgomery and an important port developed. Montgomery tried to rename the town Montgomery, but the new name failed to take hold. The historic Manor House in High Street is believed to stand on the site of Sir Hugh’s original dwelling. Donaghadee is home to Grace Neill’s, said to be the oldest pub in Ireland, founded in 1611.
Parish Church
Sir Hugh Montgomery had a large cruciform church constructed in Donaghadee. It was in this church that the Rev. Andrew Stewart, one of the earliest historians of the
Ulster Scots, began his ministerial career in the mid 1640s. After he was ejected from the church in 1661,on account of his Presbyterian beliefs, Stewart continued to minister to Presbyterians in Donaghadee until his death in 1671.The graveyard contains a fascinating collection of memorials, many of them reflecting Donaghadee’s maritime heritage.
donaghadee.down.anglican.org
Harbour
In 1616 Sir Hugh Montgomery received a Royal Warrant which attempted to limit all crossings between Ulster and Scotland to the Portpatrick/Donaghadee route. A decade later he built the first major harbour at Donaghadee. Donaghadee was the main port of entry for travellers from Scotland from the early 1600s until the mid 19th century. The harbour is dominated by the lighthouse constructed in 1836 which was the first in Ireland to be lit by electricity.
Copeland Islands
These three small islands – named Copeland, Light House and Mew – are located just off the County Down coastline.The islands take their name from the Anglo-Norman family of de Coupland. In the early 1600s the islands were acquired by Sir James Hamilton and were mapped for him by Thomas Raven in 1625.The islands are no longer inhabited, but once supported a small population of farmers and fishermen. The islands can be reached by boat from Donaghadee during the summer months – an unforgettable experience is feeding fish to the greyseals.
