Places to see in ( Newtownards - UK )
Places to see in ( Newtownards - UK )
Newtownards, is a large town, townland and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. Newtownards lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is situated in the civil parish of Newtownards and the historic baronies of Ards Lower and Castlereagh Lower. Newtownards is the largest town in the former Borough of Ards. It is known colloquially by locals as Ards.
The town of Newtownards is overlooked by the 100-foot (30 m) high Scrabo Tower. The tower is 41 metres high, and was erected as a memorial to Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, in recognition of his concern for the plight of his tenants during the great potato famine. It is open to the public and houses a historical and local environment exhibition. The basalt topped sandstone hill at Scrabo is one of the dominant features of north Down. The tower now stands tall in Scrabo Country Park with its woodland walks and parkland through Killynether Wood.
The Somme Heritage Centre, which is situated a little north of the town, is the Somme Association's flagship project. Situated adjacent to the Clandeboye Estate outside Newtownards, the centre is a unique visitor attraction of international significance showing the reality of the Great War and its effects on the community at home. The centre commemorates the involvement of the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) divisions in the Battle of the Somme, the 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli, Salonika and Palestine and provides displays and information on the entire Irish contribution to the First World War.
The centre promotes cross-community contact, mutual understanding, an appreciation of cultural diversity, and is a major visitor attraction. The centre is built on ground provided by Ards Borough Council in what is to be the Whitespots Country Park. It is linked to Helen's Tower on the Clandeboye Estate via the Ulster Way. Historically, the 36th (Ulster) Division trained on the estate during the first few months of the war and German prisoners of war were interned there. A replica of Helen's Tower was built on the Somme battlefield as Northern Ireland's national war memorial.
On the east shore of Strangford Lough, a few miles outside Newtownards and near Greyabbey, stands Mount Stewart, an 18th-century house and garden – the home of the Londonderry family. The house and its contents reflect the history of the Londonderrys who played a leading role in British social and political life. The ninety-eight acre garden at Mount Stewart has been proposed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Largely created by Edith, Lady Londonderry, wife of the 7th Marquess, in the 1920s, it has an unrivalled collection of rare and unusual plants.
( Newtownards - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Newtownards . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Newtownards - UK
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Holywood Town Belfast - Places to Visit in Northern Ireland
Cities and towns, these are the two different places that tourists get attracted to when it comes to visiting a new country for the first time and trying to explore as much of it as possible, or even for the local people who want to get to know more about their own personal country.
Holywood town is part of Northern Ireland, it is located in the metropolitan area of Belfast city in county Down. This town in Northern Ireland is a civil parish and townland of 755 acres, lying on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor.
Going back into the history of this old city, one will get to ask about the name which lots of people now pronounce in the same way as Hollywood is pronounced. Back in the old days, the name Holywood was rather Sanctus Boscus, which means Holy Wood, and it was given to this place by the Normans after the woodland surrounding the monastery founded by St. Laseran before 640.
There are different interesting things that might be held in this town, such as the jazz and blues festival which is held there. There are other things that distinguish this town as well, such as the distinctive building known as the Old Priory. Even though this might sometimes be mistaken for the famous Hollywood in the United States of America, it is also considered one of the most visited towns in county Down for the fashion boutiques that it has, the delis and the galleries.
Holywood is also one of Northern Ireland's famous towns and places because it boasts Ireland's only surviving Maypole dating back to 1700 when a Dutch ship ran aground offshore and as a show of gratitude, they erected their broken mast.
We have already mentioned that the jazz and blues festival is held in Holywood, but there is also the annual May Day Celebrations which are considered the main focus when it comes to this town, and this is actually one of the big events in Ards and North Down calendar, when the school children dance around the maypole alongside market stalls and family attractions.
Holywood town stands as one of the beautiful places with a history carried behind which tourists and locals could visit and check what it has to offer - at least we have already mentioned some of the reasons why we believe this is considered a good place to travel to - but there are still other towns that could be visited in county Down as well, such as the Village of Saintfield ( Donaghadee which is 18 miles away from Belfast ( Crawfordsburn ( and Portaferry (
When it comes to the different attractions in county Down, Northern Ireland, there are different things which we should refer to as well in addition to these towns which we have mentioned, such as checking the Whiterocks Beach in Portrush ( Dundrum Castle ( Ballywalter Beach ( Down County Museum ( Tollymore Forest ( and lots of other things to dig deep behind and discover if you got the chance to be in county Down.
Being a place that is not far away from Belfast city, it is also considered a great suggestion for those touring the city to consider making a different kind of plan and add this destination to their list, they will end up visiting another part of Northern Ireland which they might have never thought about visiting before. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in County Down at Cultra, is another touristic attraction that is just next to Holywood which visitors and travelers could also check (
Have you ever been to Holywood in Northern Ireland before? Have you ever realized that there is another Holywood than the one you are used to hear about when it comes to the United States of America? Have you ever been there or ever planned a trip to this beautiful town in county Down? At least now you could make a proper plan and enjoy yourself there.
Holywood in county Down, Northern Ireland, might not be the biggest town to visit or the one with the most attractions, but it is definitely one of the towns close to Belfast that could still offer history along with some attractions that people could enjoy visiting and bring back stories from to their homes and families.
So, are you now planning to visit Holywood and see what this small town getting mixed up with the big US Hollywood actually looks like? Plan your visit as a local or a tourist and let us know your feedback and hear about the stories you will have there in this small town.
Enjoy watching the video about Holywood!
The best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Best places to visit
Best places to visit - Kircubbin (United Kingdom) Best places to visit - Slideshows from all over the world - City trips, nature pictures, etc.
A tour around Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has alot to offer the tourist/backpacker. In my slide show (excluding Belfast) I have included interesting places to visit in County's Antrim, Down, Fermanagh Tyrone, Derry and Armagh. I will show you towns,castle ruins, a stately home in Fermanagh and a forest park. Of course I wasnt able to include every place.
Ballyrusley B&B
Promotional video for Ballyrusley B&B, Portaferry, Northern Ireland. Produced by Mournful Whale Productions - Gemma Chitty and Nick Tingley
Around The Place - Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland (part 1)
Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne mountains. This is a very popular holiday resort and also the base for hill walkers venturing into the Mournes. (sorry about the brief stop in Tesco!)
Travel Tours of England and Ireland | Loveland Colorado
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What's in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland?
Have you ever been around all the towns and cities of Northern Ireland? There are lots of things to discover in every single town and every city out there, just adopt the investigator personality and follow all the trails that would lead you to something interesting and exciting to see.
Banbridge is one of those places in county Down, Northern Ireland, which one could visit and check what it has. Banbridge is a town in county Down that lies on River Bann and the A1 Road. The name of this small town was taken from a bridge that was built over River Bann back in 1712.
At the beginning of time, Banbridge was famously used as a coaching stop on the road for those travelling from Belfast to Dublin. Back in time, this small town thrived from the manufacturing of the Irish linen. Banbridge town is now the headquarters for Banbridge District Council.
Whenever it comes to a town or city in a country and knowing more about the history that they might carry, it seems interesting to listen to some of the unusual stories. In the case of Banbridge town, mentioning the main street is important since it was an unusual one because it rises to a steep heel before leveling out, even back in the 1800's an underpass was built to give the horses carrying heavy loads the chance to reach their destination without fainting before reaching the top; this bridge was named Downshire bridge although it was always being referred to as the cut.
Like any other place in the world, there are also some places to visit and things to do in Banbridge, county Down, even if it will end up being a small town that could be all rotated in a small period of time. Since the beginning of this town happened through the excellence in the linen world then visiting something related to this area will be a must when it comes to Banbridge, such as going to Fergusons Irish Linen Factory or passing by Linen Hill.
Of course people will be excited to look back in history and see the underpass that was built in the past but which is now used as a passage for cars, but there are also some places which one should be willing to visit and which include Mount Ida Pottery, Solitude Park, Arts in the Garden, Dromore Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Donaghmore High Cross, Loughbrickland Park, as well as the walking across the streets of the town and some of the other places that you could be exploring by yourself, which could be also about the restaurants, cafes and bars.
Banbridge town in county Down has its notable people who are famously known across the country and who happen to be from this town - some visitors tend to love the place more when they come to know that one of their favorite famous characters happen to be from this small town they are visiting. From those famous characters who come from this town, there are the Bronte sisters who are now famous for their books, John Butler Yeats who is an artist and father of four artistic kids, Cyril Scott and Arthur Cox who are both actors, as well as Joseph M. Scriven who is the writer of the poem which became the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Since Banbridge is a town in county Down then we have to refer to those other towns and villages which we have been to before and which are all located in county Down as well. We have been to Portaferry ( we visited Donaghadee ( we have also been to Rostrevor before ( Newcastle in county Down was one of the places we have been to as well ( and these of course come in addition to the touristic destinations which we might visit in every single place of these, such as Scrabo Tower in Newtownards ( and Mount Stewart House and Garden in the same place (
Northern Ireland is filled with lots of places that one could visit and enjoy the beauty of nature or the magnificence of history. Being to Banbridge was one of the trips we planned to experience this small town that has started its way through the linen industry and also check this town which was built by Bann River and thus got its name from it and from the bridge that was built for people to cross it.
Have you ever been to Banbridge before? Do you know what's in this small town? You should then! If you have the time to visit this small town in county Down then try to pass by it, it is not far away from Belfast and could provide you with a different experience.
Banbridge, the home to the Star of the County Down was the town we stopped at during this trip to know more about its history and the different places which we could visit in it and know more about what it could offer; you should make a plan!
The best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Door 6 - Fullerton Arms, GOT Location in Northern Ireland
When it comes to Northern Ireland and the places which one could visit there then coming to the point where mentioning those locations where Game of Thrones scenes were filmed or even those where the doors are located, is considered beneficial.
We have to mention that there are two different types of GOT locations out there; those which are more of touristic destinations in Northern Ireland and which are more of outdoor areas, and those hotels, restaurants, pubs, and bars in which the 10 doors that appeared throughout the episodes are located - in this video, it is about hitting a destination related to the second type of location.
Door number 6 which focuses on House Targaryen also focuses on Drogon-Daenery's most aggressive and fearsome dragon. This door which is found in the Fullerton Arms Hotel was carved from the fallen trees of the Dark Hedges, where some other scenes from the movie were filmed in as well and which is considered one famous historical destination in Northern Ireland (
The interesting thing about this location - the Fullerton Arms Hotel - is that not only the door will be attracting tourists and visitors to it, but there is also a dining room set and prepared inside the hotel in the world of Game of Thrones, complete with the banners and its own replica iron throne - so you could also reserve your dinner at this place (
Every single door appearing in the movie will be related to specific characters and scenes in the movie, so you should be a fan and one who have seen all the different episodes in order to understand what you are seeing in real - but again, this would be only visited by those who are fans of the movie and have seen it because otherwise they will not be even interested in coming to check it in the real world in the first place.
This is not the only door for us to visit while tracking them all, but we have seen door number 3 in the Percy French Restaurant in Newcastle, county Antrim ( we have seen door number 4 in Blakes of the Hollow traditional Irish Victorian pub that has been open for more than 125 years ( we have checked door number 8 that is located in Mary McBride's Bar ( we checked door number 9 in Ballygally Castle Hotel that is also famous for the haunted room found in it and which is the reason why it is sometimes referred to as the Haunted Hotel ( and we have also seen door number 10 in the Dark Horse Bar in Belfast Commercial Court - a famous place for those willing to visit Belfast - (
The doors which we haven't been to yet and still didn't check are door number 1 which is located in the Cuan in Strangford, door number 2 which is situated in Fiddler's Green in Portaferry, door number 5 which is located in Frank Owens in Limavady, as well as door number 7 which is found in Gracehill House in Stranocum. We are making our plans to complete the journey and reach all these doors to complete the whole set.
Checking the doors might be an interesting thing for those who didn't even watch the movie because they are really pieces of art which one will enjoy looking at but those who have seen the movie will get to understand the shapes and the carvings. On the other hand, it is not important for the people to watch the movie if they are visiting the other locations that appeared in the movie because they also happen to be important when it comes to the tourism of Northern Ireland.
Connolly Cove paid a visit to several Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland - since it is almost all filmed there - and even though we will always consider the Dark Hedges our favorite, we still loved all those other places as well. We have been to the Binevenagh Mountain ( we have also visited Toome Canal in Toomebridge, county Antrim ( we have been to the Cushendun Caves which we consider a miracle on its own because it was created from the weather changes ( we visited the location on Lough Neagh where GOT scene was filmed - this is considered the longest lake in Ireland or even Britain - ( we have also been to Portstewart Strand ( as well as the Downhill Beach in Castlerock (
We are caring much about completing the list of GOT locations which we could visit and transfer our experience back to you; have you been to any of these places before?
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.
Donaghadee - County Down, Northern Ireland
Donaghadee has a great landmark in the lighthouse over the pier facing into the Irish Sea. There is a beautiful coastal walk here - also into the town where there is an old moat/castle structure and a great view of the surrounding area. Very close to Bangor and Belfast.
There are some small towns scattered around Belfast that open the eyes of the visitors and tourists who are staying in Belfast and give them the chance to think outside the box and go out of the city to any of these towns if they have some spare time to spend and this is usually a good plan because it will give them the chance to explore more parts of Northern Ireland during their trip.
Donaghadee is one of these different options related to small towns which we have to refer to and mention, it is only 18 miles away from Belfast and only 6 miles away from Bangor - which is not a long distance for someone to go. Donaghadee is a small town situated in county Down, Northern Ireland, that lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula; it is in the civil parish of Donaghadee and the historic barony of Ards Lower. The history of Donaghadee town and the different attractions that could be seen in it add to the encouragement that fills the visitor's heart and mind about going there.
Donaghadee town was actually featured in the Irish Rebellion of 1798; in the morning of Pike Sunday 10 June 1798, a force of United Irishmen mainly from Bangor, Donaghadee, Greyabbey, and Ballywalter attempted to occupy the the town of Newtownards, they met with musket fire from the market house and they were defeated. In addition to this historical part, Donaghadee harbour is also important when it comes to this town since it has its historical part as well; Donaghadee was used in the period between 1759 and 1826 by couples going to Portpatrick, Wigtown, Scotland in order to get married since there was a daily packet boat going there from Donaghadee harbour.
Of course when it comes to any new place you are visiting, the first thing that you will be doing is searching for the different touristic attractions that you could visit there. When it comes to Donaghadee town, there are a couple of things to consider visiting, such as the Moat, the Harbour and the Marina along with the lighthouse, and there are other minor places to consider such as the Parish Church.
The harbour and the lighthouse of Donaghadee town are famous because that harbour almost dates back to the 17th century and this harbour is well known for its lighthouse - it might be one of the most famous attractions related to this town, it has actually been a haven for ships for years and years.
In addition to the harbour and the lighthouse, there is also the Moat - or as it is also known and referred to the Motte - which was actually built to house the explosives used in building the harbour. The Moat is also one of the most prominent features of the town that dates back to 1818 but today it is now part of a park, giving views across the town and seawards towards the Copeland Islands (
These are the most common things to be done in this small town but there are still other activities which one could also include and which might be a walk by the town that includes the marine walk by The Commons: this is a semi-cultivated open space with bowls, tennis, putting, and an adventure playground. There are also those restaurants, hotels, and bars which you could choose from and enjoy sitting at, one of them is the famous Grace Neill's bar which opened back in 1611 as the King's Arms and which is considered the oldest bar to be found in Ireland.
When you are visiting Donaghadee town, you should always check the events that might be taking place there because you could get the chance to enjoy your time attending any of them. There are also those shops and boutiques which might be offering different products that you could go back home with any of them - make your visit count.
There are some other small towns and cities which are close to Donaghadee - and that of course in addition to Belfast the capital city of Northern Ireland and the one mostly visited ( - from these places, there is Bangor which is the closest to Donaghadee and which is mostly known with its harbour ( there is also Portaferry which is mostly known with its Exploris Aquarium ( and there is also Ballywalter which is considered not far away from Donaghadee (
These were the things we managed to visit in Donaghadee, county Down, and this was the trip we went on and enjoyed. Have you ever been there before? Share with us more of your stories and adventures.
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.