Experiences and Events Spring/Summer 2019 Page 2
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Your FREE Visitor Guide to Ards and North Down EXPLORE Ards Visitor Information Centre EXPERIENCES 31 Regent Street, Newtownards County Down BT23 4AD ON 028 9182 6846 BELFAST’S AND UNWIND DOORSTEP [email protected] AND EVENTS Area map overleaf SPRING / SUMMER 2019 Bangor Visitor Information Centre Tower House, 34 Quay Street Bangor BT20 5ED 028 9127 0069 [email protected] PICK UP OUR OTHER FREE GUIDES ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil @ardsandnorthdownboroughcouncil @ANDborough Ards and North Down Borough Council visitardsandnorthdown.com visitardsandnorthdown.com Down. and North Ards in time your spend to best how discover to Centres Information Visitor our into Call Ar @ANDborough @ardsandnorthdownboroughcouncil ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil ds and North Down Borough Council Borough Down ds and North 028 91270069 5ED BT20 Down County Bangor Street, 34Quay House, Tower Centre Information Visitor Bangor 028 91826846 4AD BT23 Down County Newtownards Street, 31 Regent Centre Information Visitor Ards Helen’s Bay Crawfordsburn Bangor Newtownards Conlig Trails & Routes Strangford Lough Canoe Trail East Coast Canoe Trail Comber Greenway Cycle Trail Strangford Lough Cycle Trail North Down Coastal Path Lecale Way St Patrick’s Trail (main route) Trail leading to other associated St Patrick’s Trail sites Mourne Coastal Route Comber/Andrews Titanic Trail Ulster Scots Driving Tours Great Wars Trail Film Locations Access points to the Lough In-depth literature on these trails, routes 2 miles and must-sees are available at your 3.2 km nearest Visitor Information Centre or This is map is based upon Crown Copyright and visitardsandnorthdown.com is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright and database right 2017 CS&LA156 We have three Apps available to download for FREE from your Strangford Lough Ferry Service SMS text message alert service: preferred store: • Bangor Christian Heritage Sailings every Strangford – Portaferry Passengers can register to receive SMS • Discover Ards and North Down 30 minutes Departs on the hour and the half hour. text message service updates. You can: • Greyabbbey Village Heritage Trail 0300 200 7898 Text ‘FERRY’ to 67300 to register nidirect.gov.uk/ Portaferry – Strangford Text ‘STOP’ to 67300 to stop articles/strangford- Departs at quarter past and quarter ferry-fares to the hour. Text messages are free in the UK EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY 01 A recipe for a good time 03 Get here and explore: Planning your trip 04 Accommodation 05 2019 Highlights 07 Drive this way 09 Water's Edge Encounters 17 Great Food Encounters 19 Creative Encounters 23 Step Back in Time 29 Family Fun 33 Get Active 39 Itineraries 46 Spring/Summer Events 71 Exhibitions 78 Visitor Information Services The information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print. Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy; however, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or changes that may occur. This information can be made available in a range of alternative formats to meet a specific need. To request an alternative format please phone 028 9127 0069 / 028 9182 6846. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 2 A recipe for a good time… Miles of coastline and stunning scenery, wonderful Feed the Spirit Feed the Imagination attractions, fabulous places to eat along the way and Embrace the great outdoors Creative workshops, a wide selection of accommodation, give Ards and and take in the natural galleries and studios are North Down all the ingredients for a great day landscapes and seascapes, sprinkled throughout the trip or break away. Mix together with award on land, water or in the air. region allowing a peek into the creativity that flows. winning beaches, sprinkle with castles and stately homes and top off with the Feed the Mind Feed the Body oldest pub in Ireland! Enjoy the rich backdrop of historic landmarks, and Soul Come and experience the reminders of the area's From local farmers' markets, flavours for yourself. past and learn of Christian to delis and fine restaurants Heritage and Ulster Scots your visit will be truly fables. enriched with fine food and drink. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 4 Get here and explore: Accommodation Planning your trip The area is easily reached by air, ferry and public From cosy B&Bs to ultra-modern self-catering, luxury transport. Located 20 minutes from the buzzing hotels to budget hostels, there is something for every city of Belfast, escape the hustle and bustle of taste and pocket. Get the best out of your stay in the everyday life and set a pace that is more relaxed borough, whether it be for an overnight, weekend in Ards and North Down. retreat or week long break... By air Belfast International Airport: +44 (0)28 9448 4848 belfastairport.com George Best Belfast City Airport +44 (0)28 9093 9093 belfastcityairport.com By sea P&O Ferries: 01304 448888 poferries.com Stena Line Ferries: Bangor +44 (0)844 770 7070 Newtownards stenaline.co.uk Strangford Lough Ferry Service: +44 (0)300 200 7898 TEXT: ‘Ferry’ to 67300 for updates Pick up a free copy of our Ards and North Down By public transport Accommodation Guide from Translink Public Transport: one of our Visitor Information +44 (0)28 9066 6630 Centres or download it at translink.co.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com Please refer to our map on page 80 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 6 2019 Highlights Get set for a great 2019 in Ards and North Down. Use this handy guide to be sure you don’t miss a minute. With exciting events, fabulous festivals, music to get your toe tapping and fantastic family fun, be sure to save the date and head this way. Strongman Pipe Bands Bangor, Sunday 28 April Newtownards, Saturday 11 May For a full listing of events turn to page 46 or go online visitardsandnorthdown.com Sea Bangor ForM Sculpture Exhibition Comber Earlies Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Comber, Saturday 29 June Saturday 1 – Sunday 30 June Open House Festival Portavogie Seafood Festival Exploris Aquarium Bangor, August Portavogie, Saturday 10 August Portaferry, 3rd Birthday Bash Thursday 15 August EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 8 Drive this way… Explore by car, using Saint Patrick’s Trail throughout the borough Get App-y with a range of handy Apps. the following driving Follow the Saint Patrick’s where you can learn about Download now, FREE from Google Play, to Trail through a host of how the area played its part routes directing Christian sites in Bangor, the in this history. make the most of your trip and enjoy a journey you to some of the Ards Peninsula, Downpatrick, of discovery. highlights of the area. Newry and Armagh to Ulster-Scots in Ards and uncover just how strong North Down Bangor Christian Discover Ards and Discover more Designated routes are Northern Ireland’s links are In May 1606 Scottish families Heritage Trail North Down Be sure to pick up a town also detailed on the with our patron Saint. The 92 settled in the area, led by Walk with monks, saints and Our close proximity to or village heritage trail of map on page 80. mile linear driving route links James Hamilton and Hugh scholars through the rich Scotland is a big part of the area you are visiting to 15 key sites, all identified as Montgomery from Ayrshire, Christian Heritage of Bangor. Ards and North Down discover its history and how having some connection Scotland. These Scottish At each stop learn about the heritage. The App takes you it has become the place it is to the Saint’s life, legacy or settlers transformed the various sites, view images on a journey of discovery today. These are available landscape. Ards and North borough into what you of how times have changed highlighting the influence of free of charge in the Visitor Down is home to seven of see today; the towns and and listen to their fascinating the Ulster Scots on the area. Information Centres; better these sites. villages, rolling landscape, history. Audio for each location will still, book onto a guided place names, and the ‘wee’ accompany and inform you. tour this summer and Mourne Coastal Route turns of phrase you’ll hear Greyabbey Village discover the fascinating This beautiful scenic route when talking to the locals. Heritage Trail Strangford Heritage Trail history. takes you on a journey along Learn of Greyabbey’s Co Down: Maritime Heritage the coastline from Belfast, The Ards Peninsula Way origins; of Viking invaders Trails along the Irish Sea coast, This handy downloadable on Strangford Lough, of This App will educate you on across Strangford Lough guide will help you to plan Scottish settlers who rebuilt the role fishing has played in and on to the Kingdom the perfect tour of Ireland’s the Abbey and developed forming County Down as we of Mourne. The route is most easterly coastline and the village, and of the places know it, where today three signposted by directional its charming villages. Take in of worship which are still of the area's ports - Kilkeel, brown signage. its historic sites, experience thriving today. The audio Portavogie and Ardglass - its vibrant craft scene and app, in conjunction with five remain at the centre of the Great Wars Trail enjoy outdoor activities such interpretative panels, will fishing industry. Ards and North Down has as walking, cycling and golf. take you from the Abbey a rich connection with the to the Lough in a series of two World Wars. First World Game of Thrones® Journey fascinating and quirky tales! War soldiers, from the 108th of Doors Passport Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) When some trees from the Division, trained within the famous Dark Hedges blew grounds of the Clandeboye over in Storm Gertrude, ten Estate in Bangor.