South of Belfast Lough

No fewer than seven castles protected the little village of Ardglass, once an important harbor but now principally a fishing village.

The road from Portaferry that starts out as the A20 and skirts the west side of the peninsula passes through Ardkeen where there is a ruined castle.

South of Bangor, at Donaghadee, is the start of the 20mi/32km long Ards Peninsula. From Donaghadee a road runs along the Irish Sea coast to Ballywalter (beautiful beach), Ballyhalbert and finally Cloghy, where it turns inland to Portaferry.

Ballywalter (beautiful beach) is on the road from Donaghadee on the Irish Sea coast.

Holywood, a suburb of Belfast, has remains of a 12th C. Franciscan Friary called Sanctus Boscus (Holy Wood), hence its name.

Clough is located south of Belfast on the A24.

Clough Castle is an example of an Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey earthwork castle featuring a stone tower.

After the road from Portaferry passes through Kircubbin, it comes to Grey Abbey, with remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1193, one of the best preserved in Ireland. Notable features are the fine Perpendicular windows and the magnificent west doorway.

At the site of Grey Abbey are ruins of a Cistercian abbey from 1193 by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy. Set in beautiful parkland with a medieval garden.

One of seven castles protecting the village of Ardglass, Jordan Castle has considerable remains, including a square keep.

Around 1600 the four-story tower house withstood a siege.

West of Killough is a very attractive beach.

On the west shore of the Strangford Lough is the resort of Killyleagh (birthplace of Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum).

Two miles south (A22) of Killyleagh is Delamont Country Park with a restored walled garden, woodland walks and picnic area. The park offers spectacular views over Strangford Lough.

Hilltop Castle overlooks the town of Killyleagh which has a Jacobean parish church. The scenery is very beautiful, with the Mourne Mountains shimmering blue in the distance.

Also on the Mount Stewart property is the 18th Chome of Lord Castlereagh. The gardens were chiefly nurtured by the wife of the seventh Marquis of Londonderry and feature rare and unusual plant species.

The Temple of the Winds, an 1785 banquet hall, overlooks Strangford Lough.

Portaferry is on the Ards peninsula's southern tip. There is a ferry service between Portaferry and Strangford on the mainland. From Portaferry there is also a road round to Strangford, starting out as the A20 and skirting the west side of the peninsula by the shores of Strangford Lough.

Exploris is an aquarium devoted to revealing the wonders of life in the Irish Sea and Strangford Lough. Thousands of species on view. Interactive displays are also available.

Butterfly lovers will enjoy Seaforde Gardens where the Butterfly House is home to hundreds of free flying exotic species. In addition there are displays of reptiles and insects.

A viewing tower, maze, gothic arbor, herb garden and playground are all to be found within the gardens of Seaforde.