Down

Down

Escape into St Patrick Country for a holiday to remember

Walking in the Mourne Mountains
Castle Ward
Swimming in the Mournes
Mount Steward House and Gardens

From left to right: Walking in the Mourne Mountains, Castle Ward, Swimming in the Mournes, Mount Steward House and Gardens

Take a glimpse into the fascinating life of Saint Patrick with a trip to scenic County Down. 

With a history that covers over 7,000 years, Down is blessed with a wealth of heritage sites, but the most famous of all is Downpatrick, where Ireland’s patron saint is reputed to be buried. 

County Down is a picturesque spot filled mostly with low, rolling hills that contrast spectacularly with the rugged Mountains of Mourne and Slieve Donnard, which rise dramatically to a height of 848 metres. 

Strangford Lough, meanwhile, is an abundant nature reserve with seals, geese, terns and wildfowl nestling amidst its peaceful shores. 

What's On

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NI SUP Picnic Strangford Tour

26 May 2012 - 27 May 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough and picnic on one of the many islands. The tour covers many areas...

Kiteboarding Taster Course

26 May 2012 - 27 May 2012

Ever wanted to have a go at kite surfing?

NI SUP Strangford Tour (Saturdays)

26 May 2012 - 27 May 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough. The tour covers many areas of the lough and varies in location...

Steam Trains large and small excursion to Bangor

26 May 2012 - 26 May 2012

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland will be starting its mid-summer steam train season by offering people a unique and...

Meet the Man at Arms at Audley's Castle

26 May 2012 - 27 May 2012

Meet the 15th Century Man at Arms who will explain his part in defending a medieval tower house and display his costume and...

Music in the garden

27 May 2012 - 28 May 2012

Bring your picnic and settle down with your family and friends to enjoy an afternoon of music on the lawn in a beautiful setting...

The Owl Man

27 May 2012 - 28 May 2012

Come along and join the Owl Man and his friends who will bring a selection of birds and hedgehogs. Meet the birds of prey from...

NI SUP Strangford Tour (Sundays)

27 May 2012 - 28 May 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough. The tour covers many areas of the lough and varies in location...

Meet the Man at Arms at Sketrick Castle

27 May 2012 - 28 May 2012

Meet the 15th Century Man at Arms who will explain his part in defending a medieval tower house and display his costume and...

Strangford Lough Boat Trips

27 May 2012 - 20 Aug 2012

The boat trips take approximately an hour and a half and are suitable for all age groups.

"The Boat Factory" A play by Dan Gordon

30 May 2012 - 01 Jun 2012

The current generations of Andrews Hall users know the hall as the home of Andrews Memorial Primary School's renowned plays. Each...

Bird Watching Morning

31 May 2012 - 01 Jun 2012

Join Dot Blakely our resident expert, to find out more about birds in and around the grounds.

Sean Donnelly in Concert - Newcastle

01 Jun 2012 - 02 Jun 2012

This is Sean's sixth album and has been very well received in folk music circles. It is receiving extensive radio airtime at home...

South Eastern Regional College Photography Exhibition

01 Jun 2012 - 01 Jul 2012

Display of work by staff & students based at South Eastern Regional College.

NI SUP Picnic Strangford Tour

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough and picnic on one of the many islands. The tour covers many areas...

NI SUP Strangford Tour (Saturdays)

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough. The tour covers many areas of the lough and varies in location...

Family Marine Fun

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Family fun with sea creatures to touch and see under a microscope, big waves and model boats!

Art in the Loft - Workshop with Mike Yeomans‘Using photographs in the development of a painting’

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Artist Mike Yeomans will lead this workshop which is suitable for beginners. Participants should bring at least 4 colour...

Turn O' the Tide Festival

02 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

The annual “Turn O’ The Tide” festival, celebrates Strangford Lough's ancient and modern maritime traditions, and its world...

Turn 'O The Tide Festival - Strangford Lough Seaweed Squelch

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Get your hands on red, green and brown seaweed in all shapes and sizes. Rejuvenate your skin with its silky gel, make beautiful...

Cloghy Rocks Seal Watch

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Join Northern Ireland Environment Agency experts for a unique opportunity to watch seals up close in their natural habitat at...

China Painting Workshop - Donald Nelson

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Donald, who was trained by the Head China Painter at Royal Worchester Pottery, will guide and help you to China Paint a piece of...

Turn 'O The Tide Festival Strangford Lough - The Yurt

02 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Seaweed art, heritage pyramids, storytelling and lots of fun activities all day in the Yurt.

IDRA Northern Championship & Laser 2000 Championship

02 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Get ahead of the 2012 Olympics witht the IDRA Northern Championship & Laser 2000 Championship. The Irish Dinghy Racing Association...

Cultra Hill Climb

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Motoring enthusiasts are getting in gear for this year’s much anticipated Cultra Hillclimb event at the Ulster Folk & Transport...

Painting Workshop - Mike Yeoman

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Artist Mike Yeomans will lead this workshop which is suitable for beginners. Participants should bring at least 4 colour...

GO Coasteering

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Course pre-requisites:

Meet the Monks at Newtownards Priory

02 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

A Blackfriars master and novice inhabit the beautiful covered stone doorway converting it into a scriptorium for the day. Learn...

Big Birthday Bonanza - Exploris Aquarium

02 Jun 2012 - 07 Jun 2012

Join us for our Big Birthday Weekend and help us celebrate 25 years. There will be puppet shows, drop in puppet making workshops...

‘Exploring Colour; people and places’ an Exhibition of work by Mike & Maggie Yeomans

02 Jun 2012 - 01 Jul 2012

The Drawings, Paintings and Ceramics in this exhibition focus on the wide range of colour found in images of people and places...

Ards Puppet Festival

02 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Now in its 11th year, the Ards Puppet Festival has become a firm family favourite, offering people of all ages the opportunity to...

Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012 - Bangor

02 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Bangor will be holding a weekend of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and we are excited to present a super programme...

NI SUP Picnic Strangford Tour

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough and picnic on one of the many islands. The tour covers many areas...

NI SUP Strangford Tour (Sundays)

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough. The tour covers many areas of the lough and varies in location...

Strangford Sea Safari Bank Holiday Special!

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Come along to experiece one of our fantastic RIB trips. Guaranteed enjoyment - experience Stangford Lough as never before.....

Evan Christopher's Django a la Creole - Castle Ward

03 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a unique music concert in the special setting of Castle Ward, Strangford, Downpatrick, Co Down on Sunday 3rd June....

Marvellous Mouse Circus - Portaferry Tourist Information Centre

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Marvellous Mouse Circus is part of Ards Puppet Festival and has become a family favourite. Come along to this free event and see...

Meet the Monks at Struell Wells

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Meet the medieval monks who tended the church and wells and learn about their connection with St Patrick.

Van Morrison - Dinner & Show, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa

03 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Van Morrison - Dinner and Show at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa - "The road to coney island"

Crawfordsburn Lifestyle Green 2012

03 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

The extended Jubilee weekend in early June is the ideal time to head to this event that brings affordable, realistic and...

Newry City Marathon

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Think you could outrun Usain Bolt? Why not warm up for the 2012 Olympics at the Newry City Marathon- Full Marathon, Half Marathon...

Mini Nests Exhibition

03 Jun 2012 - 20 Jun 2012

Nest….A glorious and poignant celebration

Chicken Licken - Puppet Show @ Castle Espie

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

Ards Puppet Festival will be performing the

Conservation Skills Series, Nature Reserve Management

03 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

What have ponies and conies to do with dune land, flowers and rare butterflies? Come along and you will find out more from one of...

Big Bug Hunt

03 Jun 2012 - 03 Jun 2012

Big Bug Hunt

Seaside Country Showtime Concert - Newcastle

04 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Seaside Country Showtime featuring many of your home grown stars including :

Diamond Jubilee Beacon

04 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Look out for lights in the sky in Newtownards and Donaghadee when two beacons are lit to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Beacons...

International Bread Festival - Rise Up and Celebrate

04 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Bread demonstrations, Taster sessions, Local food producers, Artisan breads, Bread talks, Speciality foods, Entertainment,...

Friday Fun Sailing Nights - Donaghadee Sailing Club

04 Jun 2012 - 30 Jun 2012

This is your chance to try your hand at

Light A Beacon for the Queen's Diamond Jubliee at Slieve Donard

04 Jun 2012 - 04 Jun 2012

LIGHTING A BEACON AT THE HIGHEST POINT OF NORTHERN IRELAND - SLIEVE DONARD

Magic Show at Delamont Country Park

04 Jun 2012 - 05 Jun 2012

Situated on the shores of the stunning Strangford Lough, amidst rolling countryside, Delamont offers you the chance to 'get away...

Jubilee Jamboree @ The Ark Farm, Newtownards

04 Jun 2012 - 06 Jun 2012

This is a Jubilee two day event with

A Space for Glass Exhibition - The Space, Ards Crafts

05 Jun 2012 - 27 May 2012

An exhibition of work by glass artist, Irene

Newry Civic Event - Olympic Torch Ceremony

06 Jun 2012 - 07 Jun 2012

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Newry and Mourne to come together to celebrate this unique occasion....

Downy Duckling Tours @ Castle Espie

06 Jun 2012 - 28 Jun 2012

Get up and close to nature’s little wonders.

N.I Olympic Torch Relay - Down District

07 Jun 2012 - 08 Jun 2012

The Olympic Flame is expected to travel for 70 days an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and...

Kilmood Flower Festival - St Mary's Church of Ireland

08 Jun 2012 - 11 Jun 2012

Beautiful flower arrangements and music celebrating the theme ' Praise My Soul the King of Heaven. Artistic Director Heather...

NI SUP Picnic Strangford Tour

09 Jun 2012 - 10 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough and picnic on one of the many islands. The tour covers many areas...

Chapel Island Walk

09 Jun 2012 - 10 Jun 2012

Walk from Mount Stewart across the sand flats to nearby Chapel Island. Learn about the wildlife and archaeology of Strangford...

NI SUP Strangford Tour (Saturdays)

09 Jun 2012 - 10 Jun 2012

Come and enjoy a stand up paddle board tour of Strangford Lough. The tour covers many areas of the lough and varies in location...

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Travel Offers

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Hike the Mourne Mountains

 


Take advantage of the short break package where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea

Two nights stay in...

Hotel Breaks to Ireland with your car + kids go FREE! From £70 per adult per night

 

Take a Car-cation to Ireland with Stena Line and enjoy a great value hotel break. Experience the world class welcome, the sights,...

Heart of Down Golf Tournament 2012

 


The Heart of Down Golf Tournament combines superb natural beauty with some of the finest golfing country and of course, it’s...

Play & Stay at the Slieve Donard and Ardglass

 


The tower of the Slieve Donard Hotel rises majestically above the sand dunes, rivalled only by its namesake, Northern...

Roadtrip to Bangor-by-the-Sea!

 

Anglers Rest is a family run B&B with sea views and only one minute walk from the town centre of Bangor, where there are shops,...

Hotel Breaks to Northern Ireland from only £89ppspn!

 

Stena Line package the ferry and hotel to give you the best price - you just can't book hotels and ferry for less - guaranteed!...

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Special offer

Hike the Mourne Mountains

Hike the Mourne Mountains

<br>Take advantage of the short break package where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea</br> <br>Two nights stay in...

Did you know?

St Patrick retired to County Down where he died on March 17th, 461 AD.