Donaghadee Lighthouse Donaghadee Walking Guide visitstrangfordlough.co.uk Shore St Presbyterian Church 13 Copeland 2 Islands Donaghadee North Pier Map South Pier The Lighthouse and Harbour War 1 Memorial 2 The Copeland Islands 3 1 3 The Lifeboat 4 Pier 36 and the old railway 5 The Old Quarter 6 Admiral Leslie Hall 7 Rosebank House 8 The Manor House 12 9 Grace Neill’s 10 The Methodist Church Lemons 4 11 Donaghadee Parish Church Wharf 12 Moat Street and the Motte 13 Coastguard Cottages 14 Old Market House Picnic Area 10 11 5 14 9 The Copeland 8 Islands 6 2 Please note that this map is not Donaghadee to scale and is for reference only 7 Donaghadee Walking Guide Historical Walking Trail of Donaghadee, Co Down The main route consists of flat at all times. The tour will last concrete footpaths with pedestrian approximately one hour. For your crossing opportunities. There is a convenience, there are also public steep climb up to the Moat. Please toilets and a wide range of cafes be aware when crossing the road and restaurants in Donaghadee. and keep an eye out for traffic We hope you enjoy learning more about the area. Be sure to look out for the other walking guides in the series. These can be downloaded from www.visitstrangfordlough.co.uk along with ideas on what to see and do in the area. We appreciate your comments and suggestions so please contact us via the website. Just to set the scene, let’s start with a little history about Donaghadee “On a clear day you can see the Crown tries to expand its control west coast of Scotland!” in Ireland. Conn O’Neill rebels against the Crown and, fearing for We can almost sense the his safety, abandons the land he excitement of the first pioneers as owns around the young town of they look across the sea to that Donaghadee. This territory passes other rugged coastline. Never to Hugh Montgomery, a Scottish has it seemed so close! On these Planter who has brought large grassy shores, the first sods are numbers of compatriots to occupy cut and a community is born. County Down. They are farmers and From the mists of early times a craftsmen, and as they gradually definite history begins to emerge improve the harbour, more and about Donaghadee. Centuries go more settlers arrive, whilst others by and welcome to the time of the move on to populate towns such Gaelic Lords in Ireland. The English as Bangor and Newtownards. Pages 2 – 3 Trade with the mainland thrives, engineers Sir John Rennie and technology improves, confidence son, take the controversial step grows and Donaghadee steadily of converting the port into a safe becomes the premier ferry port harbour for sailing ships. With this, of Ireland. Ships carry people, trade inevitably dies off. Larne livestock and the mail on a daily with its extended harbour is now basis across the stormy North the new focal point for seaborne Channel. Back on shore, fine traffic along the eastern coast. houses and businesses spring By the turn of the 19th century, up to serve the influx of settlers Donaghadee becomes a quiet and visitors. For two centuries, seaside resort, much favoured by Donaghadee enjoys continuous visitors from Belfast, Scotland and prosperity and establishes itself England. For the brief summer as the envy of the other towns. periods, the town regains some of However, in the 1800’s the famed its former glory. Donaghadee Walking Guide Let’s begin the walking trail The Lighthouse & Harbour 1 Rennie, a Scottish engineer, was its painters in the 1950’s was appointed to build the harbour and on Brendan Behan, Irish poet, storywriter, 31 July 1821 the Marquis of Downshire novelist and playwright. His father laid the foundation stone. He was one of was a house painter! the most influential men in Ireland and From its lofty parapet, there’s a chaired the board of the Donaghadee seagull’s eye view of the harbour and Packet Company. The stone covered a town. However, access to the interior silver plate, assorted testimonials and of the monument is strictly prohibited glass bottles among others. to the public. Two months into the project, Rennie The cut limestone blocks of the died and his son took over the project lighthouse came from Anglesey, at the age of 27. Rennie wanted to add North Wales. Although built with a four storied arch along the lines of the sailing ships in mind, the harbour was Arc de Triomphe at the harbour but this still being used to import coal from ultimately didn’t happen due to a lack of Cumbria long after ferries had gone. funds. He was awarded a knighthood in Look around and you will notice that recognition of his work. the tracks of the railway line carrying The lighthouse is visible at the Harbour, the coal wagons are still there. and can be reached via the one way (Be careful of the uneven surface under system, along the Pier. The character of foot as the harbour is cobbled and Donaghadee is intimately joined to its there are no barriers along the harbour). most well known landmark. Since its construction in 1836, the lighthouse has Watch out for the warping rings, been a beacon of safety to mariners and a the large hoops on the ground at symbol of pride to the town’s inhabitants. the harbour to show that it was built It was regularly painted white and one of for sailing ships. The Lighthouse & Harbour Pages 4 – 5 From the Harbour, you will see the Copeland Islands, approximately 20 minutes away by boat. There are three islands in the Copeland group. The largest, and the one which can be seen from Donaghadee, is known as Big Isle or Great Copeland, and covers more than 300 acres. The Copeland Islands 2 It was once extensively farmed by Further out is Mew Island, a flat area families who lived year-round on the on which there is a powerful lighthouse island, but in the 1930’s most decided guiding ships using the North Channel. to move to the mainland, tired of being There have been between 50 and 100 cut off by winter storms. These days, the shipwrecks off the coast and many more deserted island is home to colonies of close shaves. Mew Island lighthouse sea birds and seals. Recently pheasant has saved countless lives over the years. and partridges have been introduced, It started as a brazier in 1715 before where they flourish because there moving to an actual light in 1884. The are few predators. At times sheep are light is now fully automated and is one brought over to graze on lush pastures. of the most powerful in the world. Big Isle is privately owned, but there In addition to the lighthouse, there are are no restrictions on visitors and it’s a several lighthouse keepers’ cottages and favourite spot for yachtsmen. other buildings. The third island is known by several names including Cross Island, John’s Island and Lighthouse Island! The Copelands Donaghadee Walking Guide The Lifeboat The Lifeboat 3 Turning back towards the town, the lifeboat which resulted in the boat tipping on its station is visible on the left hand side side. The RAF and RNLI were involved in before Pier 36. It has been based here the search which proved very challenging since 1910. One of the most famous due to the exceptionally bad weather. lifeboats stationed in Donaghadee was the The 43 survivors were brought back to Sir Samuel Kelly, which hit the headlines the Imperial Hotel, located on the Pier in when it rescued survivors from the car Donaghadee, and the lifeboat crew were ferry MV Princess Victoria when it sank in highly commended and awarded for the North Channel on 31 January 1953 their efforts. during fierce storms. The ferry was making its crossing from Stranraer in Scotland To explore more about the history and work to Larne, a journey of some twenty miles. of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Heavy seas forced open the ship’s car (RNLI) please visit www.rnli.org.uk doors and the vehicles inside broke loose Pages 6 – 7 Pier 36 and the Old Railway 4 Moving along the pier towards the town railway line the journey to Belfast took centre, we pass the lifeboat house and also 5 or 6 hours but after June 1861 this the social club which was previously home was reduced to 40 minutes. Next stop to the town’s railway station. Hotels such is Pier 36 which was once a coaching as the Railway, Eagle, Commercial and hotel and is now a guesthouse, Arthur’s lined this street in close proximity restaurant, bar and local information to the harbour and railway. In spring point, providing a wide range of visitor 1861 a new rail track was built for the guides and information which can be Belfast and Co.Down Railway Company by accessed in the entrance hall. Edwards of Dublin for £50,000. Before the The Old Quarter 5 To enter the old quarter of Donaghadee, Gas Works Street and Railway Street. take a left turn into Manor Street. Here too is Meetinghouse Street where The street names are a nostalgic the first Presbyterian congregation reminder of the industries which once gathered during the 17th century Ulster- thrived here; Saltworks Street, Scots plantation. Donaghadee Walking Guide Pier 36 and the Old Railway The Admiral Leslie Hall 6 Once at the top of Manor Street, turn Beside the Admiral Leslie hall stands the left briefly to admire the Admiral Leslie Prospect House, a large two storey gabled Hall, built by Mrs Martin Leslie in 1872, town house, probably dating from around in memory of her husband, Rear Admiral the 1760’s.