Belfast Tourist Attractions ❤ Around Belfast in 60 Seconds
Any visit to Belfast is always good - rain or shine! We spent some time recording some of its best known attractions, shops, buildings and tourist sites. We took a speedy trip around the city - so you can see what your missing! :-)
Where is Belfast? Just in case any visitors are here - Belfast is in Northern Ireland - part of the UK and on the island of Ireland. It has a population of 1.2 million people who are looking towards a brighter future.
Belfast is an amazing city (the capital of Northern Ireland as well) - with even more amazing people. The city has been through the ultimate in ups and as low as they can go - downs. It was an industrial powerhouse in the 18th and 19th centuries and in the early 1900's it was the largest city on the island of Ireland. Sad times were never too far away - from the loss of the Titanic to Belfast being the 2nd most bombed city in the UK - to the troubles that impacted every part of Northern Ireland - the city has suffered more than most (
But the people of the city set it apart, from sitting having a tea - to drinking a beer in their local town. What else to say :-) Its a crazy, small city with loads of offers for locals and different places for the visitors to come and check.
So put Belfast on your list - if visiting Ireland or even the UK - well worth considering due to the local attractions. Belfast tours are available on foot, bus, car, air and water! Travel to Belfast is easy with two airports and the motorway from Dublin.
This video features - Belfast City Hall, Belfast Shopping, Cathedral Quarter ( Albert Clock, Queen's University, Victoria Square Shopping Centre, Titanic Museum, Nomadic SS, Keywest band playing at the city bandstand and more ;-)
Belfast city happens to be one of those European cities that carries a lot of history inside and thus will be always calling out for tourists to come and spend a couple of days in. There are lots of things to be seen in the city and from those which we have been to before, there is the famous City Hall building ( we also visited St. Anne's Cathedral which happens to be a famous cathedral in the city ( and walked through Victoria Square which is famous with being a shopping destination.
In addition to those buildings, there are other things that made a mark in the history of Belfast, such as losing the famous Titanic ship and which was built in Belfast and thus there has been a memorial placed in the garden of City Hall and there is also the Titanic museum to be found in the city ( Titanic has a smaller sister which is known as SS Nomadic and which back then helped in transporting the passengers from the land to the Titanic Ship. After more than 100 years, the SS Nomadic is back in Belfast where it is now turned into a touristic attraction that people could visit (
Among those famous landmarks found in Belfast city, Northern Ireland, there is Albert Tower which lots of those tourists visiting Belfast manage to place it on the list of things they would be doing and seeing there ( And finally, through the tour we have been doing to bring this video out to life and get more introduced to Belfast, we also came across Queen's University which opened back in 1849 (
All those Belfast attractions were passed by in a quick tour taken around the city but you could of course stop at every single one of them, enter if you are allowed to, and take all the pictures that you want; just make a good plan, know what are the attractions that are located close to one another and how long are you going to spend in every single one of them in order to visit those close ones all at the same day.
There are different other attractions that one could visit in Belfast and which are also considered very famous but the ones we already mentioned above are the landmarks of the city. From those other attractions, one could visit the Crumlin Road Gaol which is an old jail that has served for more than 150 years before closing its doors and being transformed into a touristic attraction site ( There is also the Belfast Castle which is an old castle building that tourists love to come across as well (
Being the capital city of Northern Ireland is not the only reason for those heading to Northern Ireland to visit, but Belfast is also an attraction because it is the largest city and carries lots of historical attractions and places that people could visit, and it is also the second largest city on the island of Ireland as a whole.
Have you ever been to Belfast city? Tell us about your experience!
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.
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.
Top things to see in Northen Ireland - The Titanic Museum
Top things to see in Northen Ireland - The Titanic Museum
In this video we continue to explore the best sights of Northern Ireland and arrive at the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
If you are in Belfast, and are looking for the top things to do then look no further - this video will show you another of our best sites & attractions in Northern Ireland.
Our nephew Jasper has always wanted to visit the Titanic Museum in Belfast ( this is definately his must see site whilst in Northern Ireland) and so he have flown over to spend a week with us touring Northern Ireland. This is definitely on of the top things to do in Belfast and indeed Northern Ireland.
We spend the whole day touring the Titanic Museum and what a day it was. We booked the ultimate experience for £30 and that included the SS Nomadic, A guided tour and the Titanic Experience.
I would strongly suggest doing the guided tour as you learn so much that you wouldn't know otherwise. We have tried to share as much of this as we can with you in this video.
There is a reason why the Titanic Museum Belfast has been voted as the world's top tourist attractions. It is definitely one of our must see top sites in Belfast and Northern Ireland. So if your in Northern Ireland and your looking for the top things to do in Belfast this is a must see top attraction of Northern Ireland.
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In case you don't know us - let us introduce ourselves - we are Chris & Marianne. We recently quit our jobs and sold our belongings to travel full time.
After more than 22 years of marriage we are still best friends - (there's a travel couple goal for you).
We are going to step foot in every country in the world!. So stayed tuned for more clips as we TREAD the Globe in either Trudy the TREAD camper van or armed with our backpacks!
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360 Degree Video from The Moat - Donaghadee Northern Ireland
A 3D/360 degree video from the top of the impressive Moat in Donaghadee. See the lighthouse in the distance - but you can see how impressive the view is from the site and why it is definitely worth checking out next time you visit.
County Down is a beautiful area in Northern Ireland - if travelling around the country - visit Donaghadee and another of the other towns in the county. Donaghadee is a small town in county Down that lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula, about 18 miles east of Belfast (
There are different places which are known when it comes to Northern Ireland and there are those which are not much visited especially when it comes to the tourists who directly head to the capital city. Donaghadee might not be the place to visit different touristic locations, but there are those which bring the local Irish people to the town in order to check them, such as the Moat as well as the Harbour and the Lighthouse (
This 360 degree video experience was taken from the Moat site. The Moat in Donaghadee town was built back in the old days in order to house the explosives for the blasting involved in the construction of the harbour and without even mentioning that, but it is one of the most well known prominent features of this small town. The Moat was built in 1818 and even though it is considered an important historical place in Donaghadee, it is now part of a garden that offers a beautiful view of the town - even the lighthouse could be spotted from up there - and it also offers good views for the sea towards the Copeland Islands.
Not just the Moat that is considered an attraction in Donaghadee, but there is also the Harbour and the Lighthouse which could be spotted from the hill on which the Moat is located. The Harbour of Donaghadee has been there from the 17th century and might be one of the most famous places there since it has been a haven for ships for centuries and that comes in addition to its lighthouse which it is famously known with as well.
These are the most important places to visit in Donaghadee, county Down, when it comes to history and those places which might have their popularity among the tourists and visitors, but there are still some other activities which one could be part of when it comes to Donaghadee, such as those different scenic walks including the marine walk at The Commons which is a cultivated open space with bowls, tennis, putting, and an adventure playground, and there is also Pier 36 along the seafront which is a famous restaurant and pub that managed to accumulate a number of awards in it short history - so you will definitely find a couple of things which you could do in Donaghadee and not just check the Harbour, the Lighthouse, and the Moat.
Donaghadee is the nearest port to Scotland and even back in the old days it was the landing point in Northern Ireland for travelers from the British mainland. Donaghadee was also the principle's port before Belfast became the major city and much of the town developments resulted from ships and shipping - so the harbour is not just a new thing to give this town a meaning and make it important to visit.
County Down is known to be one of the six different counties that are located in Northern Ireland which is found within the province of Ulster. There are other destinations which we have been to in county Down in addition to visiting Donaghadee, such as going to Rostrevor which is also situated there ( going to Portaferry was another thing we have done in county Down ( the Tollymore Forest which is located in Newcastle is also a good place to head to in county Down ( the famous Dundrum Castle which is also located near Newcastle could also be a hit ( and there is the Ballywalter village in county Down (
We loved the idea of taking this 360 degree video experience from the Moat because it is located on some kind of a hill and it offers a lot of views all over the whole town that we were also able to spot the lighthouse from up there - and that might be considered a plus that we spotted the most famous places of the town from the same location.
We love sharing our experiences and visits with our viewers and subscribers and we even love them more when they are in 360 degree videos because that way we help travelers to get in the experience without having to pass borders and travel across the seas to check the places themselves - of course will be much better but some people might not have the time and money.
Have you ever visited Donaghadee 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.
3 BEST HOTELS IN BANGOR | United Kingdom | 2018
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Here is The List of 3 Best Hotels in Bangor
Top 3 Best Hotels in Bangor
1. Ashbrook Bangor Boutique Bed and Breakfast - 4 Star
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- 5 smoke-free guestrooms
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Top 3 Best Hotels in Bangor
2. The Management Centre - 4 Star
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- 57 smoke-free guestrooms
- Restaurant and bar/lounge
- 24-hour front desk
- Self-serve laundry
- Conference space
- Multilingual staff
Top 3 Best Hotels in Bangor
3. Gors yr Eira Country Guest House - 4 Star
Best Features of Gors yr Eira Country Guest House are highlighted below:
- 4 smoke-free guestrooms
- Air conditioning
- Lobby fireplace
- Tour/ticket assistance
- TV in a common area
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Pickie Park & Bangor Harbour; A Great Family Fun Day Out
Bangor Northern Ireland offers some great attractions and activities for any family seeking seaside fun. Pickie Park is a famous local park along Bangor Harbour. Bangor is in County Down - Northern Ireland, not far from Belfast. On a sunny day - its a great place to go for a walk and ice cream! :-)
Bangor Harbour is the largest marina in Northern Ireland and it opened in 1989 on the southern shore of Belfast Lough. Since that time, this marina has been famously known among the Irish people for providing a berth in the centre of Bangor. If you went to visit Bangor Harbour, you will find yourself having a walk beside lots of yachts that are parking there and this is actually one of the reasons why this marina has been awarded five Anchors by the Yachting Harbour Association. One of the famous things found there is the sculpture of the old man eating a pastie and seated there by the waters, the back of this man is showing an old map of Bangor (
The next fun stop in this video and trip is the Pickie Park which is located in Bangor as well and which was one creation done after the appearance of this marina. Pickie Park is one of the places that families should choose when they are searching for something fun to do and give the kids the chance to play around for a little bit (
There are different things that one could do inside Pickie Park in Bangor - or actually different games and activities that one could enjoy - such as paddling with the swans in the lagoon, playing mini golf, enjoying the water zorbing, or going on a race around the track in the electric carts, there is also the Pickie Puffer and families could enjoy their time sitting in the cafe and having something to drink while leaving the kids playing in the indoor kids area which is completed with an activity table, blackboard play kitchen and a selection of toys and coloring sheets.
One of the unexpected things which you might never be able to consider is the Irish weather upon which the games and the opening hours of the park might differ - it is usually open from 9am to 7:30pm, seven days of the week but this might change according to the weather.
Pickie Park is considered the gateway to Marine Gardens which is a good place for having a nice walk since one will receive panoramic views for Bangor Bay and the hills of Antrim beyond - this is considered the perfect place for those who want to sit down and relax a little bit to give their minds the chance to calm it all down.
Enjoying a walk by Bangor Harbour and getting the kids to enjoy their time in Pickie Park will both bring you to explore the city of Bangor on a closer look. These are not the only things which one could do in Bangor, county Down, but there are still places to visit and attractions to see. Within a walking distance from the marina, you will get the chance to find cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, banks, and everything you might be searching for and you could even come across one of the famous touristic attractions which is Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and Heritage Centre ( (
Bangor is known to be a large town in county Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area, it was even voted back in 2007 by UTV viewers as the most desirable place to live in in Northern Ireland - and we have to agree that a lot of places in Bangor are calming for the mind and the body.
There are some places which people could aim to visit while they are in Bangor to make sure that they have seen the best out of this city. These places will include the Clandeboye Estate, the Ward Park, the Clandeboye Park, Castle Park, Bangor Abbey, Bangor Carnegie Library, Bangor Castle, Somme Heritage Centre, Bangor Market House, Bangor Old Custom House, McKee Clock and Bangor Walled Garden.
We have had a great time in Pickie Park and we also enjoyed the idea of checking Bangor Harbour and walking along it - the kids enjoyed the different attractions which are found inside the park and we loved sitting there in the cafe, walking inside the park and also we enjoyed the ice cream we managed to get ourselves :-) It is really one of the places we would suggest for those searching for a fun thing to do in Bangor during their stay there.
One tip to keep in mind before heading to Pickie Park: always check the weather and make sure that the activities and games there will be all available and that the park will be open during the same known hours, because other than that you might find yourself missing a lot of fun there - it is best to go there during the summer days to enjoy the water activities 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.
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.
Photos of Portland bill in Dorset
Photos slide of Portland Bill lighthouse and pulpit rock on the beautiful Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England.
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Donaghadee Lifeboat Station 1910 onwards
In 1904, after a number of shipwrecks off the North Down coast, it was agreed that a new Lifeboat station was needed. Situated near to the entrance to Belfast Lough and right beside the major shipping lanes, Donaghadee, with its beautiful harbour was deemed the ideal spot.
A team of local businessmen along with many from the fishing industry and other boatmen set up a base and went about financing a Lifeboat station and a Lifeboat. On 10th July 1910 Donaghadee received her first Lifeboat, the “William & Laura”, a Watson Class with sails,10 oars and a 40hp petrol engine. It cost the princely sum of £3599 and during her time with the RNLI, she launched 61 times, saving 65 lives.
Nowadays, Donaghadee is home to one of the most modern Lifeboats in the world, a Trent Class, costing around £1.3m. There are no sails or oars but with a top speed of around 25 knots and an operating distance of over 100 miles, “Saxon” is equipped to carry out sea rescues in even the very worst of conditions, all over the Irish Sea and beyond.
Training takes place in the Boathouse, on the Lifeboat itself and at our superb Lifeboat College in Poole in Dorset. Crews are trained to a very high standard in sea rescue and survival, fire containment, engineering, navigation and boat handling skills.
You can be sure that when a 999 call comes through to Donaghadee that a well trained crew in a modern fast Lifeboat will be on its way to you within minutes.
History
1910
A lifeboat named William and Laura sailed for her station via the east coast and Forth and Clyde Canal.
In September the inauguration ceremony of the new lifeboat was held and Mr Charles Dunbar Butler, President of the branch and Miss Slade representing the late donor, handed the lifeboat over to the branch and named her.
1917 Coxswain William G Nelson drowned whilst out fishing.
1941 Bronze Medal awarded to Coxswain Samuel Nelson for the rescue of seven of the crew of nine of the ss Coastville wrecked on rocks at Ballymacormick Point on 21 November 1940 and nine of the crew of 43 of the steamer Hope Star which went aground at Ballyholme Bay on 6 December 1940.
1949 Coxswain Andrew White retired after serving for nearly 32 years as coxswain during which time over 80 lives were rescued.
1953 Bronze Medal awarded to Coxswain Hugh Nelson for the courage, skill and initiative shown on the occasion of the wreck of the vehicle/passenger ferry Princess Victoria which sank in a raging gale on 31 January 1953 approximately seven miles east of the entrance to Belfast Lough. The disaster to the Princess Victoria, with 176 passenger on board, was the greatest suffered by any British merchant vessel in peace time for a quarter of a century. Coxswain Nelson took 29 survivors from a ships lifeboat, one man from another boat and one from a raft. The British Empire Medal was awarded to Coxswain Hugh Nelson in recognition of this service. The Portpatrick lifeboat also attended this service and the coxswain received the same medals.
1956 Lifeboat stood by the motor vessel Douglas of Bergen from 17 to 19 July and was at sea for over 60 hours.
1981 A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, the Duke of Atholl, awarded to Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic James Bunting for the rescue of the crew of three and the saving of the yacht Rosita which went aground near the entrance to Copelands Marina in a fresh south westerly breeze and a moderate sea on 21 May.
1985 Waveney class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced by an Arun class lifeboat.
1991 Her Majesty The Queen has honoured ex Coxswain William Lennon in her Birthday Honours List for services to the Institution; the award being the British Empire Medal.
1998 Boathouse extension was completed in February.
2002 Her Majesty The Queen has honoured Mr Thomas ‘Walker’ Simpson, Deputy Coxswain/Mechanic, with a MBE in her Birthday Honours.
2003 The new Trent class lifeboat ON1267 Saxon was placed on service 17 April 2003. This lifeboat was funded by the legacy of Mrs Freda Rivers in memory of her late husband. Lifeboat ON1107 City of Belfast has been withdrawn to the relief fleet.
2009 The Trustees voted the award of a Centenary Vellum to the station on 2010.
2010 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to Coxswain Philip McNamara in recognition of his courage, leadership, determination and boat handling when the lifeboat under his command saved the lives of three elderly crew members of the yacht Bentim Buoys on 13 September 2009. The yacht, which was also saved, was aground on rocks near to Craigbrain. The service, during the early hours of the morning, was conducted close to a rock strewn lee shore in shoaling waters and poor weather.
MEDAL RECORD
Two Bronze Medals have been awarded. The last being voted in 1953.
FOREIGN AWARDS
Crew were awarded Silver Medals and Diplomas by French Government re rescue of six men from the lugger Cyrano of Brest in 1915.