Belfast - Surroundings

Beginning at St John's Point a superbly scenic road makes its way along what is surely the loveliest stretch of coast in Northern Ireland to Newry (39mi/62.5km), then on round the wide bay of Dundrum, large areas of which are exposed at low tide, to Newcastle.

Annalong is a quiet little fishing and farming village, from which Rocky Mountain, Slieve Bignian and a number of other peaks between 1,700-2,450ft/518-747m, can be climbed.

The cornmill was built in the 1830s. It overlooks Annalong harbor and is still powered by a waterwheel.

This annual day-long festival takes place by the seaside in mid-August. Events include fish auctions, tours of working cornmills, stone cutting and sea rescue demonstrations and a large horse show.

Between Greencastle on the north side and Greenore on the south, Carlingford Lough cuts deep inland, with a road along either shore.

Crumlin is located west of Befast near the shores of the Lough Neagh. The Crumlin WWII Airforce base is located here and you will find other sites that will be of interest to flyers.

The town of Crumlin is home to the Talnotry Cottage Bird Garden is home to sick and injured birds which are kept in a 200-year-old walled garden.

Station 597 was the U.S. 8th Army Air Force base during WWII. Displays include: medals, maps posters, photographs and audio-visual material.

Dundrum is a picturesque fishing village with good sandy beaches and an interesting tower surrounded by a moat, the remains of an old castle, built by John de Courcy in 1240 and razed to the ground by Cromwell in 1642.

Beyond Newcastle the road begins to ascend, with the sea on the left and the everchanging backdrop of the Mourne Mountains (the home of many rare plants) on the right. It passes through some quiet little fishing and farming villages including Glasdrumman and Annalong, from which Rocky Mountain, Slieve Bignian and a number of other peaks between 1700-2450ft/518-747m, can all be climbed.

Hillsborough Fort was an artillery fort built in 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill. Later it was remodeled for feasts and events.

The road from Kilkeel to Hilltown cuts through the Mourne Mountains, with steep gradients. Hilltown, in the shadow of the northwest side of the range, is a good base from which to climb and walk in the hills, richly colored with the changing hues of their granites and schists.

Belfast International Airport is at Aldergrove, 15mi/24km to the northwest, from where buses run a shuttle service to the city center (Glengall Street/Great Victoria Street Bus Station, Oxford Street Bus Station).

Lisburn (pop. 42,110) is a market town located 8mi/13km southwest of Belfast on the Lagan.

This annual three-day festival takes place in late August with competitions, informal concerts and dances.

The Irish Linen Centre traces the history of the linen and cloth industry in Ireland. Visitors can try scutching or spinning or watch professional weavers.

Next door is the Lisburn Museum telling the Lagan Valley story.

The Murlough National Nature Reserve contains a sand dune system, heathland, and woodland which are surrounded by an estuary and the sea. Excellent walks are available and the beach is accessible at all times.

On the north side of Carlingford Lough, surrounded by woodland (mainly oaks), is Rostrevor, a charming and peaceful little holiday resort (boating, ponytrekking, fishing, walking).

Nearby is Kilbroney Park (open dawn-dusk) which offers pleasant riverside walks and an arboretum. The two-mile forest drive leads to a panoramic view of Carlingford Lough.

This annual five-day festival takes place in late July and brings together singers from all over the world.

3 mi/5km outside Belfast to the east, at Stormont, stands the imposing Classical style building erected in 1928-32 to house the Northern Island Parliament. In front of it is a monument to Sir Edward Carson.

This three-day festival takes place at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, usually in late October.

Events include crafts, food stalls and children's activities.

The open-air Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, in the spacious grounds of Cultra Manor about 7.5mi/12km north of Belfast, comprises a collection of 18th C. farmhouses, cottages and artisans' workshops painstakingly reconstructed brick by brick. There is also an indoor transport museum. A recently opened rail gallery is the largest of its kind in Ireland.

Regular demonstrations and events.

Warrenpoint (pop. 4,800) is a resort located near Rostrevor.

The Burren Heritage Centre is housed in an old converted schoolhouse. It presents the history of south Down from prehistory to the 16th C.

This annual festival takes place in early to mid-August and includes concerts, dances, and cabarets. The highlight of the week is the crowning of the Maiden.