Down County Museum
The Mall, English Street,
Downpatrick,
BT30 6AH
Tel: 028 44615218 - Fax: 028 44615590
Located in restored eighteenth century County Gaol of Down, the museum's exhibitions tell the story of the people of County Down from earliest times to today.
The museum's main exhibition for 2004 will cover World War
One, Bygone Childhoods, medieval Society and Conflict. Plus there is a lively special events programme, educational activities, guided tours.
Opening Hours: All year Monday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm; saturday and Sunday 1.00pm-5.00pm;
Directions: Continue to top of Market Street, Downpatrick, Turn left at next set of traffic lights and continue along English Street, Museum is situated on right.
Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Market Street, Downpatrick,
Tel: 028 44615779 / 07790 802049
Travel from Downpatrick town centre to Inch Abbey by vintage steam train.
Opening Hours: Museum open every Wednesday and Saturday 11.00am-2.00pm.
Trains run on Saturday and Sundays mid-June to mid-September from 1.40pm - 5.00pm with special trains on Public Holidays and seasonal events.
Admission: Adult return £4.50; Child & OAP return £3.50. Single fares also available. Charges vary according to promotion.
Directions: Turn into Market Street Car Park (entrance beside Ulsterbus Station and Rathkeltair House) and drive down to the end, taking the first or second entrance on the left.
Struell Wells
Downpatrick Tel Historic Monuments 0289054 3034
Strongly associated with St Patrick but no documented history until 1306. remarkable group of healing wells and bath houses in secluded rocky valley
Directions: 1.5 miles east of Downpatrick on the Ardglass Road, turn left beyond Hospital into Struell Wells Road. Continue for 0.5 miles. Wells on right.
Inch Abbey
Downpatrick, Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
Most of this substantial Cistercian Abbey is now in ruins, but the east end of the church, with its early English lancet windows, chapter house and refrectory remains as witness to its great days of piety.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: FREE
Directions: Take A7 towards Crossgar, turn left at Abbey Lodge Hotel following signpost for Inch Abbey. Reach by lane on left. Car Park available.
Down Cathedral
The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick
Tel: 028 44614922
Fax: 028 44614456
A Benedictine Monastery built in 1183. Major restoration in the 1800 century, still containing many of the original features. The Cathedral is built on the Hill of Down, one of the holiest Christian sites in ireland. It's graveyard contains the traditional burial place of St Patrick.
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.00pm, Mon-Sat; 2.00pm-5.00pm Sun.
Admission: Donations for guided tours by prior arrangement.
Directions: Continue to top of Market Street, Downpatrick. Turn left at traffic lights. Turn left again at next set of traffic lights and continue to end of English Street. Down Cathedral is situated at the end of street.
St Tassach's Church, Raholp, Downpatrick
Tel Historic Monuments 02890 543034
Here lies the ruins of a church. One of the earliest Christian buildings in Ireland, associated with St Tassach, who administered the last communion rites to the dying St patrick on 17th March 461. Access is from Bannaghan Road
The Saint Patrick Centre
53a Markeet Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ
Tel: 028 44619000 Fax: 028 44619111
Situated below Patricius's reputed burial site, this new Interatvie exhibition including a virtual helicopter ride "In St Patricius's footsteps" presents an authentic view of the saint through his own words. The centre's excellent facilities include an Art Gallery, Craft Shop, restaurant, Conference facilities, Tourist Information Centre, and education programme.
Opening Hours: October-march; Monday-saturday 10.00am-5.00pm. St Patrick's day 9.30am-7.00pm; April-May & September Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm; Sunday 1.00pm-5.30pm; June-August Monday-Saturday 9.30am-6.00pm; Sunday 1.00pm-6.00pm.
Admission: Adult £4.75; Child £2.35; Concession £3.15;Adult Groups of 25 plus £3.15; Education Groups £3.00; Church Groups of 25 lus £2.10; Group concession of 25 plus £2.60; Family £11.55 (2 Adults and 2 Children)
Directions: Situated off Market Street, Downpatrick.
Annadorn Dolmen
Loughinisland, Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
A slightly displaced capstone covers a rectangular chamber of which three sides stones survive.
Directions: 5.5 miles south east of Ballynahinch on the north east shore of Loughinisland Lake, within sight of Loughinisland Churches.
Ballynoe Stone Circle
Downpatrick. Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
Megalithic Monument near Downpatrick where a 100ft Stone Circlue encloses an ellipse of stones and a prehistoric burial mound. Dated to around 2000 BC. It is thought Ballynoe was begun in the Stone Age.
Directions: Follow Killough Road in Downpatrick until crossroads at Flying Horse Estate. Turn right for Ballynoe. Signposted down long footpath.
Loughinisland Churches
Tel Historic Monuments 02890 543034
Interesting group of three ruined churches in graveyard beside lake, ranging in date from 13th to 17th centuries.
Directions: 4 miles west of Downpatrick on island in Lough, reached by causeway.
Quoile Castle
Downpatrick Tel Historic Monuments 02890543034
Built on the banks of the Quoile for local notable Captain West, at the end of the 16th century.
Directions: Take Strangford Road from Downpatrick, take first left at Quoile Pondage Centre signposted.
Mound of Down
Mount Crescent, Downpatrick
Tel Historic Monuments 0289054 3034
The Norman, John de Courcy built a castle in the stronghold of Macdunlevy. Giant earthwork beside the river Quoile. Open all year round.
Directions: Follow signs to English Street, Downpatrick. Turn into Mount Crescent and the Mound is situated at the back of Down County Museum.
Saul Church
Downpatrick, Tel 02844 614922
Two miles outside Downpatrick is this replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of patrick, Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.
Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm daily
Admission: FREE
Directions: From Downpatrick follow A25 to Strangford, turn right onto Mearne Road. At crossroads turn right following signpost for Saul Church.
Castlewellan
Drumena Cashel
Castlewellan, Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
Good example of a small stone built farmstead enclosure or cashel of the early Christian period.
Directions: 2 miles south west of Castlewellan, close by-road off A25 to Rathfriland (signposted)
Clough Castle
Clough, Tel Hiastoric Monuments 028 9054 3034
Excellent example of Anglo Norman earthwork castle with mount (motte), stone tower and outer enclosure (bailey), in commanding position at junction of important route. Admission: FREE
Directions: Take A2 through Dundrum village, continue on approx 3 miles to Clough village. Castle situated on right.
Crossgar
James Martin Memorial Stone
The Square, Crossgar, Co Down
Tel: Down District Council 028 44610800
Sir James Martin who hailed from Crossgar was born on 11th September 1893, and died on 5th January 1981, was awarded for services to Engineering an OBE in 1950 and a CBE in 1957. he is famous as the inventor of the Ejector Seat and Escape System for sircrafts, and this three foot stone has been erected in his memory. The Memorial stone is maintained by Down District Council.
Directions: From Downpatrick A7 - drive through village of Crossgar until you come to crossroads, before pedestrian lights. Turn right - drive up into the Square. From Belfast, on A7 follow signs for Downpatrick. Take first left after pedestrian lights - drive up - The square.
Ardglass
Jordan's Castle
Ardglass, Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
This ruined 15th century tower house is one of several in Ardglass, underlining the town's historic importance to the life of the district.
Opening Hours: Open part of Summer Season only - July & August Closed on Sundays & Mondays. Open Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm and Wednesday & Thursday 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Admission FREE
Directions: between Kildare and Quay Street, entrance from Quay Street, Ardglass. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ardtole Church
Ardglass, Tel Historic Monuments 02890 543034
Ruined late medieval Church, probably occupying site of pre-Norman Church. Situated on hilltop overlooking sea and Isle of Man
Directions: 3/4 mile North east of Ardglass, east of A2.
Strangford
Kilclief Castle
Kilclief, Strangford. Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
Reputedly built by John Sely, Bishop of Down, between 1413 and 1441. Town-house of gatehouse type with entrance defended between two projections.
Opening Hours: Open part of Summer Season only- July & August Closed on Mondays, open Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 2.00pm - 6.00pm. Open Wednesday & Thursday from 10.00am - 1.00pm.
Admission FREE
Directions: Two and a half miles south of Strangford on A2
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Castleward
Strangford,
Tel: 02844 881204 - Fax: 02844 881729
Situated in a stunning location overlooking Strangford Lough, Castleward is an intriguing mansion built in two distinct architectural styles, Classical and Gothic.
Opening hours: Grounds October-April 10.00am - 4.00pm daily; May - September 10.00am - 8.00pm daily
House and Wildlife Centre: March 13th - April w/ends (inc 9-18 April) 1.00-6.00; May daily except Tuesday 1.00pm - 6.00pm; June - August 1.00pm - 6.00pm daily
September - October, weekends 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Last House Tour starts 5.00pm
Admission: Grounds only: Adults £3.50, Child £1.50, Family £8.00, Ground/House/Wildlife Centre: Adults £5.00; Child £2.30; Family £10.80 - Group outside normal hours: £5.00
Directions: From Downpatrick rake A25 to Strangford. Castleward is 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford. Castleward is signposted off to left before Strangford Village.
Audley's Castle
Strangford, Tel Historic Monuments 0289054 3034
Small gatehouse type tower house with part of enclosing bawn built in 15th century.
Directions: One mile North West of Strangford town on rocky height overlooking Strangford Lough.
Strangford Castle
Strangford Tel Historic Monuments 02890 543034
Simple 16th century tower-house with drop hole at roof level to defend the door.
Directions: near Strangford Harbour
Dundrum
Dundrum Castle
Tel Historic Monuments 028 9054 3034
A key castle in the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ulster in the late 12th century, on site of
pre-norman stronghold. Guide available.
Opening Hours: April - Sept, Tue - Sat 10.00am - 7.00pm, Sun 2.00pm - 7.00pm,
1st Oct-31st Mar, Sat & Sun only;
Sat 10.00am - 4.00pm & Sun 2.00pm - 4.00pm Admission: FREE
Directions: Take A2 out of Newcastle, 4 miles to Dundrum Village, turn left up School Hill in middle of village, take first right, signposted.
Maghera Church & Round Tower
Maghera,
Dundrum
Tel Historic Monuments 02890 543034
Ruined round tower marks site of important early monastery, founded by 6th century St Donard.
Directions: Take A50 to Castlewellan, turn right at Burrendale Hotel, Corrigs Road. Signposted beside Church of Ireland Parish Church.
Killyleagh
Killyleagh Castle
Killyleagh Tel 02844 828261
A riot of turrets and battlements rise like a fairytale vision above Killyleagh as this amazing Loire-style chateau completely dominates the small village. Killyleagh Castle is a private family home
Opening Hours: by arrangement
Admission: Dependant on size of party
Directions: From Downpatrick follow A22 to Killyleagh. One way system in operation. You can drive up to Castle via Plantation Lane or Frederick Street and down hill Street only.
Saintfield
Rowallane Garden
Saintfield
Tel 028 97510131
Fax: 0289751242
Rowallane Garden is sure to be your paradise if you love colours and tranquality abound.
Opening Hours: October-April 10.00-4.00pm
Daily May-September 10.00am - 8.00pm
Closed 25th & 26th December and 1st January
Admission: Adult £3.50, Child £1.50, Family £18.00, Groups £2.80
Directions: From Downpatrick take A7 through Crossar, signposted for Rowallane on left before Saintfield.
Links
Armagh and Down
Environment & Heritage Service
National Trust Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
