County Down

The County of Down has a historical association with St Patrick, and with its pretty fishing villages, the Mountains of Mourne and the fine gardens at Mount Stewart, Rowallane and Castlewellan, and miles of fine beaches, can be guaranteed to provide something for everyone, no matter what their age or inclination.  

As with Co Antrim, yachting, birding and golfing are major leisure pursuits.  There are also many historic and private gardens to be seen, where visitors will be surprised at the range of plants which can be grown here, mainly due to the particularly mild climate.

Mountstewart, Co. Down

Mountstewart, Co. Down. Photograph: Fiona Maitland Mountstewart, Co. Down. Photograph: Fiona Maitland Mountstewart, Co. Down. Photograph: Fiona Maitland
Mountstewart, Co. Down. Photograph: Fiona Maitland

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Co. Down

Cottage at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Photograph: Fiona Maitland Donkey at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Photograph: Fiona Maitland Inside farm building at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Photograph: Fiona Maitland

Rowallane, Co. Down

Walled garden, Rowallane Gardens NT, photograph: Averil Milligan

Castlewellan

Castlewellan Forest Park and Gardens

Dundrum Norman Castle

Dundrum Norman Castle