Human settlement in Northern Ireland
Photo: Irishdeltaforce, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Strangford is a village historically in County Down in Northern Ireland, now governed as part of Newry, Mourne and Down District. It's on the west bank of the narrow outlet of Strangford Lough, where the tides rip back and forth, hence to the Vikings it was Strangr-fjǫrðr, the strong fjord. Its population in 2021 was only 560 yet it has a sumptuous mansion house and a scattering of medieval turrets.
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A mostly 16th-century tower house looming over the ferry pier, but with remnants of a 15th-century structure.
Grand mansion house built in the 1760s: m'lord and her ladyship couldn't agree on the style so the front is Palladian while the rear is Georgian Gothic. There are impressive interiors, a substantial art collection, any number of stuffed animals, and extensive gardens and grounds. The Old Castle and farmyard are 200 years older and these were the filming locations for Winterfell in Game of Thrones. In 1973 two members of the Provisional IRA blew themselves up while planting a bomb at the castle.
15th-century castle, a 3-storey tower house. It fell derelict in the 17th century but was kept as a picturesque ruin to enhance the view from Castle Ward.
This was found to contain human and animal bones plus Neolithic pottery. It's 27 m long, now roofless, with dry-stone walls ("revetting") on the gallery sides. At each end a forecourt gives access to four burial chambers.
Off-road driving centre for rally and 4x4 experience.
Slick friendly place serves good food.
Bistro with good steaks and seafood.
Restaurant and pub with comfy rooms just above the ferry jetty.
Bus 16 from Downpatrick takes 25 min to Strangford. It's hourly M-F but with only four Sa and none on Sunday. Downpatrick has frequent buses from Belfast, taking an hour.
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