|
County Down
Province: Ulster
Location: Maritime county, in the north-east coast of the country
County Size: 12th in Ireland
Land Area: 318 sq miles
Highest Point: Slieve Foy (590 m)
Main Rivers: Langan, Bann
Main Islands: Copeland, Mew, Chapel, Islandmore, Island Taggart, Light House Island.
Areas of Geographical Interest:
Murlough National Nature Reserve (sand dune system with beautiful woodland areas)
Tollymore Forest Park
Silent Valley in Kilkeel (beautiful parkland and high water reservoirs)
Areas of Historical Interest:
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (contains exhibits made in Ulster from trams to the 1980's De Lorean car)
Grey Abbey (1193, contains medicinal plants modelled on those which might have been used by medieval monks)
Kilclief Castle (dating from the 5th century)
The County
Population: 454,411
County Capital: Bangor
Main Towns: Bangor, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Newry, Ballynshinch, Kilkeel, Portaferry
Main Business Contact: Ledu The Small Business Agency: 6-7 The Mall, Newry, Co. Down. Tel:01693-629555
No. of Golf Clubs: 25
Blue Flag Beaches: 3
County Down
Down, one of Ireland's most fertile counties, is remarkable for its many low, beautifully cultivated hills. In striking contrast is the granite mass of the Mourne Mountains in the south, where Slieve Donard rises from the sea to 2,796 feet, Slieve Croob (1,755 feet) tops another group of hills in the centre of the county. In the east, the Ards Peninsula forms a barrier between the sea and almost land-locked Strangford Lough. Bangor, Donaghadee, Newcastle and Warrenpoint are some of the fine resorts that line the beautiful Down coast; they are linked by good roads that closely follow the winding shore. County Down has many important historic sites and ancient monuments, together with attractions for the sportsman, the climber, the walker and the sightseeing tourist. The county includes the part of Belfast that lies east of the River Lagan.
Transport
Main Routes: Bangor is served by major routes A2-M1-A1-N1-M1-N1 (to Dublin); A2 (to Belfast); A2-M1-A1-N1-N52-N80-N8(to Cork); A2-M1-A3-N12-N54-N6-N18 (to Galway).
Miles from: Dublin (118); Belfast(13); Cork (278); Galway (204).
Nearest Travel Centre (Bus): Bangor. Tel: 01247-271143
Nearest Rail Station: Bangor. Tel: 01247-270141
Nearest Airport: Belfast City Airport. Tel: 01232-734828; Belfast International Airport Tel: 01849-484848
Nearest Ferry Port: Belfast (+13 miles); Larne (+34 miles)
|
