Northern Ireland’s only standard guage (i.e. full size) heritage railway. Founded in 1985 and staffed by volunteers, the Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway runs steam (and sometimes heritage diesel) trains between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey on a restored railway line. Read more...
On of the best in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Tollymore’s river dashes over cascades and Castlewellan’s large lake provides pleasure boating and angling. Each forest park has a cafe, exhibition hall and well equipped caravan and camp sites. Read more...
Near Downpatrick, ruined is a Norman foundation beautifully situated on the edge of the Quoile river. Quoile Pondage, where the river joins Strangford Lough, is a freshwater nature reserve with a visitor centre next to the 17th century ruined castle. Read more...
Walled gardens and tropical butterfly house offering the perfect day out for the family. Enjoy the experience and beauty of free-flying tropical butterflies as you walk through the steamy jungle of the butterfly house; or have a go at finding your way to the centre of Ireland’s oldest maze or climb the Moghul Tower and survey the walled garden from above or simply Read more...
A former Market House, the 18th century Georgian style Courthouse is situated amongst a range of Georgian town houses in the square. Closed as a court in 1987, the court-room and building is now home to an exhibition which answers such questions as: Why w ere juries often drunk in NI in the early 19th century? Come and find out Read more...
The Somme Heritage Centre 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 awful 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 Read more...
