Portaferry - Entrance of Strangford Lough on Ards Peninsula
Portaferry County Down is a small port town that is at the narrow entry to Strangford Lough where a daily ferry connects the town with Strangford. The town is well known for its festivals.
Portaferry is a small town in county Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of Ards Peninsula, near the narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. The atmosphere of this city might be different for being placed by the river and for being a fishing destination, but there are some other places which make Portaferry famous with them and thus tends to attract visitors all the time.
There is a marina in Portaferry that tends to carry around 500,000 people one mile across the sea to Strangford since this service operates daily at 15-minutes intervals (8am - 11pm), which stands as one of the important things that make highlight this small town. Portaferry also hosts its own small marina which is known as Portaferry marina.
The town centre of Portaferry has many old Georgian buildings along with Portaferry Castle, which is a 16th century tower, and which brings the history right into the mind and eyes of the tourist or visitor once he/she walks by them or even get the chance to get inside any of them. Even walking down the streets of this town and passing by all those different buildings is considered one of the things that one should do in Portaferry to experience it in exactly the right way.
Portaferry is known to be a popular location because of its wildlife and marine reserve which tends to attract lots of tourists and visitors to it, and that comes in addition to Exploris which is an aquarium; Exploris was opened by Ards Borough Council in 1987 and then it was extended and re-opened by prince Charles in 1994 and now it is under private management. Exploris is Northern Ireland's premier sanctuary and aquarium that features a huge walk-through tank and outdoor seal pools.
From the different places that one could check and visit in Portaferry, county Down, there are those which we have already mentioned and which include the transportation means that happens between Strangford and Portaferry, Exploris, as well as the 16th century old Portaferry Castle which is found there.
County Down is not just about Portaferry, but there are different places out there which one could discover in different cities and towns which are all placed in county Down. Kilbroney Park is one of the places located in county Down ( Newcastle is another destination with the famous Slieve Donard Hotel ( Donaghadee in county Down could also go on your list of places to visit in this county in Northern Ireland ( Bangor Harbour and Marina was another location we have visited in county Down and thus would recommend ( and that comes in addition to different other destinations that on the list of places that one could visit in county Down, Northern Ireland.
We walked through the town of Portaferry, we experienced the atmosphere of the whole place, we enjoyed our time by one of the cafes, and we got the chance to pass by those different attractions that mark this town and add to your memory when its name is mentioned. There are green spaces, there is water, there are old buildings and a castle; what else would you want to experience all in the same place?
Portaferry is not just a local place but it is also a touristic one for its beauty, history, wildlife and the other visitor attractions. One of those important attractions of the place is Strangford Lough which is the largest sea inlet in the British isles. Portaferry is actually Northern Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve and is also renowned as an area of outstanding natural beauty and special scientific interest with six natural nature reserves within its reaches - Queen's University of Belfast have a Marine Research Laboratory on the shorefront and currently the town is also home to a tidal energy research project the Minesto Sea Kite.
There are over 2,000 species of marine animals which have been found in the Strangford Lough and internationally important flocks of wildfowl and wading birds converge there in winter, and it is also the most important site in Ireland for breeding common seals.
There are actually lots of things to be known and discovered about Portaferry even though it is considered a small town, but you could visit different touristic attractions in it and at the same time get the chance to experience the life by the lough and know more about its importance.
Have you ever got the chance to visit Portaferry in Northern Ireland before? If you had then share your experience with us and we would listen to all the comments as well.
Some of the best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Strangford lough
Strangford lough scenery, between Portaferry and Strangford
Strangford ferry arriving at Strangford
Strangford Lough Yacht Club
Situated in Whiterock Bay, close to Killinchy, SLYC provides unparalleled access to Strangford Lough, the premier location in Northern Ireland for sailing and boating.
Seal Cabin - Strangford - United Kingdom
Seal Cabin hotel city: Strangford - Country: United Kingdom
Address: 53 Shore Road; zip code: BT30 7NW
Seal Cabin is a holiday home located in Strangford and featuring free WiFi and a patio. The property is 36 km from Belfast and free private parking is offered. The unit is equipped with a kitchen. Towels and bed linen are provided at Seal Cabin.
-- El Seal Cabin es una casa de Strangford y ofrece WiFi gratuita y patio. Belfast se sitúa a 36 km. Además, hay aparcamiento privado gratuito. El Seal Cabin dispone de cocina, toallas y ropa de cama.
-- Seal Cabin度假屋位于斯特兰福德（Strangford），距离贝尔法斯特（Belfast）有36公里，距离利斯本（Lisburn）有38公里，距离班戈（Bangor）有34公里，提供免费私人停车场。 Seal Cabin度假屋设有一间厨房，备有毛巾和床单。Seal Cabin度假屋的其它设施包括烧烤设施。 度假屋可安排自行车租赁服务，骑自行车是当地的热门活动。Seal...
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Strangford Lough Wildlife, Northern Ireland
A short sequence of wildlife shot in and around Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. Includes bird populations, seals and other marine life.
Strangford to Portaferry ferry, crossing Strangford Lough at the Narrows.
Strangford to Portaferry ferry, crossing Strangford Lough at the Narrows.
Note how it struggles against the current, one of the strongest in Britain.
Strangford Lough, sometimes Strangford Loch,[1] is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. The name Strangford is derived from Old Norse: Strangr-fjǫrðr meaning strong fjord; describing the fast-flowing narrows at its mouth. It is called Loch Cuan (formerly anglicised as Lough Cuan) in Irish, meaning calm lough (describing the still shallow waters of the mud flats), and Strangfurd Loch or Strangfirt Lough in Ulster-Scots.[2][3] The fretum Brene (called in some of the other Vitaey fretum Brenasse) was the ancient name applied to the narrow entrance to Strangford.[4]
It is a popular tourist attraction noted for its fishing and the picturesque villages and townships which border its waters. These include Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula, which is connected to Strangford across the lough by a car ferry.
The island studded sea lough is the largest inlet in the British Isles, covering 150 km². Almost totally landlocked, the lough is approached from the Irish Sea through the eight kilometre long fast-running tidal narrows, which open out into more gentle waters where there are 70 islands. Countless tidal rocky outcrops called pladdies litter the lough and mudflats, along with marshes, rocks, bays and headlands. The lough is a conservation area and its abundant wildlife recognised internationally for its importance.
Recorded from The Windmill Viewpoint at Portaferry, using Panasonic HDC SD 900.
Edited on Sony Vegas Pro 11.
Music by Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech.com, licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. ...ISRC: USUAN1200016.
Many thanks again Kevin !
The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn - County Down - United Kingdom
The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn hotel city: County Down - Country: United Kingdom
Address: 6-10 The Square, Strangford Village; zip code: BT30 7ND
This family-run guest inn has good food and rooms with a digital TV and free internet. It is in the conservation village of Strangford, on the shores of Strangford Lough.
-- Cette auberge familiale propose une bonne cuisine et des chambres avec télévision numérique et accès Internet gratuit. Elle est située dans le village préservé de Strangford, sur les rives du Strangford Lough.
-- Esta posada de gestión familiar ofrece buena comida y habitaciones con TV digital y conexión a internet gratuita. Está ubicada en el pueblo de Strangford, en la costa de Strangford Lough.
-- Dieses familiengeführte Gasthaus erwartet Sie mit gutem Essen und Zimmern mit digitalem TV sowie kostenfreiem Internetzugang. Es befindet sich im denkmalgeschützten Dorf Strangford am Ufer des Strangford Lough.
-- Questa locanda a conduzione familiare vanta una buona cucina e camere con una TV digitale e la connessione internet gratuita. Sorge nella località protetta di Strangford, sulle rive dello stretto di Strangford Lough.
-- 这间家庭式经营的The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn酒店旅馆提供美食，客房配备数字电视和免费网络连接。酒店坐落在斯福德保护村，地处斯特兰福德湖岸边。 斯特兰福德提供了许多户外活动：高尔夫、钓鱼、散步、划船、自行车路径和海滩。 Cuan酒店的餐厅采用本地时令产品来烹饪美食。 从Cuan Hotel酒店可轻松抵达Royal County Down高尔夫球场、位于Portaferry的水族馆、Castleward National Trust建筑以及St.
-- Этот семейный гостевой дом находится в деревне Стренгфорд, на берегу озера Стренгфорд-Лох. К услугам гостей ресторан и номера с цифровым телевидением и бесплатным доступом в Интернет.
-- يوفر نزل الضيوف المُدار عائلياً الطعام الجيد وغرف مزودة بتلفزيون رقمي وإنترنت مجاني، ويقع في قرية Strangford المحافظة، على شواطئ Strangford Lough.
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Strangford ferry leaving portaferry
Strangford, County Down
Strangford on County Down coast road taken on-board BMW K1200R Sport with my Panasonic HM-TA1
Irish ferry crossing, Strangford to Portaferry
Strangford to Portaferry ferry, crossing Strangford Lough at the Narrows.
Note how it struggles against the current, one of the strongest in Britain.
Strangford Lough, sometimes Strangford Loch,[1] is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. The name Strangford is derived from Old Norse: Strangr-fjǫrðr meaning strong fjord; describing the fast-flowing narrows at its mouth. It is called Loch Cuan (formerly anglicised as Lough Cuan) in Irish, meaning calm lough (describing the still shallow waters of the mud flats), and Strangfurd Loch or Strangfirt Lough in Ulster-Scots.[2][3] The fretum Brene (called in some of the other Vitaey fretum Brenasse) was the ancient name applied to the narrow entrance to Strangford.[4]
It is a popular tourist attraction noted for its fishing and the picturesque villages and townships which border its waters. These include Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula, which is connected to Strangford across the lough by a car ferry.
The island studded sea lough is the largest inlet in the British Isles, covering 150 km². Almost totally landlocked, the lough is approached from the Irish Sea through the eight kilometre long fast-running tidal narrows, which open out into more gentle waters where there are 70 islands. Countless tidal rocky outcrops called pladdies litter the lough and mudflats, along with marshes, rocks, bays and headlands. The lough is a conservation area and its abundant wildlife recognised internationally for its importance.
Recorded from The Windmill Viewpoint at Portaferry, using Panasonic HDC SD 900.
Edited on Sony Vegas Pro 11.
Music by Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech.com, licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. ...ISRC: USUAN1200016.
Many thanks again Kevin !
An aerial view of beautiful strangford lough (phantom 3p)
Strangford lough is the largest sea lough in the British isles
MV Annegret Heavy lifting Ship Strangford Lough
( This is the MV Annegret not the MS Svenja as I had at first thought. Thans to Tilo who posted in and put me right. )
We were looking out across Strangford Lough and we spotted this interesting ship across the water. I had the binoculers so I was able to see that this was no ordinary cargo ship.
At the time I thought she might not be connected to the wind turbine assembly going on at Airport road or the wind farm extension off Liverppool. Now I'm not so sure.
I think that this purpose built, heavy lift ship is indeed part of the Sal Group involved with the wind farm construction. ( Ooops sorry about that! ) The 15 ships in this group have been designed and developped to lift almost any weight and shae of cargo and carry it to wherever required.
SAL Heavy Lift, a member of the “K” Line Group, is one of the world’s leading carriers specialised in sea transport of heavy lift and project cargo.
I couldn't make out the name of this vessel but she may be the MV MV Annegret that I have already videoed in Belfast docks.
'MV Annegret is currently playing a fundamental role in the extension of the Walney Offshore Windfarm, located in the North West of England. At the moment, the vessel is transporting a total of 87 colossal Monopiles (MPs) from Rostock to Belfast. In addition 87 Transition Pieces (TPs) will be carried by MV Svenja from Tees and Aalborg to the project harbor. With a height of up to 30 metres, a diameter of up to seven metres and a single weight of up to 579 tons, the TPs are amongst the largest ones ever built. It is an enormous job keeping our MV Svenja busy until summer.
The long-term project is characterized by several challenges. Two different types of cargo. Each requiring its own mobilization setting on board. To be shipped alternately. A tight schedule from customer side demanding flawless workflows for a pinpointed delivery. Three different loading ports. Limited possibilities at the Port of Rostock with only ten metres space forward and aft of the moored vessel. A sensitive cargo even if its appearance seem to tell the opposite. '
The Life of the Lough® - Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough. Pictures, Music and Video all created by Bernie Brown ARPS. bbphotographic.co.uk. The Life of the Lough®. COPYRIGHT ALL IMAGES AND MUSIC © Bernie Brown 2006-2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This exhibition is unique. It is unique for many reasons including the fact that the strength and the peace created in this exhibition space comes directly from the power of the people living and working in the watery townlands of the soil, sea and islands of Strangford Lough.
This very special part of East Ulster is truthfully captured by environmental portrait photographer Bernie Brown and combines landscape and portrait work in an eclectic 'image-mix'.
The people featured are real, all having very real connections with the Lough and this stunning landscape is one of the best kept secrets in Northern Ireland. The rolling drumlins and the smell of salt water and freshly cut hay effuse from this insightful collection which above all, speaks quietly, eloquently and powerfully.....for itself.
The exhibition was launched in April 2010 and is still touring.
For dates and venues please see -
also -
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Music, pictures and video created by Bernie Brown © 2006-2015
The Life of the Lough® is a trademark.
Empire Tana (Lee's wreck) - Strangford lough 2017
A fantastic dive Sunday 30th April on the Inner Lees wreck in Strangford lough, Northern Ireland 10+ m visibility and stacks of life including a big octopus.
Certainly a dive to remember.
Swim at whiterock strangford Lough
First swim of the year!
DELAMONT MILLENIUM MEGALITH STONE, TALLEST in UK
The massive pinnacle of Delamont Megalith stone stands overlooking the scenic Strangford Lough in south Down near Downpatrick. It is the tallest modern Megalith in the British Isles! It is approximately 12 metres in height. 10 metres above ground.
It is 47 ton in weight. A single granite slab cut from a local quarry in the Mournes.
It stands in 3 metres deep concrete foundations.
After several years planning and preparation on the 26th June 1999 the stone was finally raised up into position by 1000 school teens from across the religious divide and from across the province. It took the various teams well over 2 hours to pull the stone into position.
The project was funded by a £250,000 lottery grant. The other half of the money was raised locally.
Information boards nearby provide an excellent account of thow this all was done.
'Alan in Belfast''s' blog is worth visiting in this respect.
Link
Killard Stonechat near Strangford
We've travelled down to the scenic village of Strangford which lies directly opposite Portaferry at the southern end of Strangford Lough. We were looking for the Killard sandmartin colony. This is the only sandmartin nest site I have ever come across since I was a boy. From Strangford we have taken a right on to the scenic Shore Road. Go past Kilcleif Castle and look fror a wide beach on the left. The sandmartin sand cliff is easy to spot. On the way down to this we spotted this inexpected onus Stonechat.
Stonechats are robin sized birds. Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back. Females lack the male's black head, but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests. Birds are frequently seen flicking their wings while perched, often doing so on the tops of low bushes. As its name suggests, birds utter a sharp loud call that sound like two stones being tapped together. They breed in western and southern parts of the UK, but disperse more widely in winter.
Having fun in Strangford (1)