The Ards Peninsula is a pretty spit of land in Northern Ireland, south of Belfast. Here, the Ards Peninsula rubs shoulders with the Irish Sea, and boasts a strong cultural heritage, much to the delight of tourists. There’s little in the way of breathtaking scenery here, but a real authenticity that should make you discover Ireland from an unsuspected angle…

Visit the Ards Peninsula

Picturesque locations

The Ards Peninsula can be explored by car, bus or, for the brave, by bike. A road takes you all the way around, passing through several villages, including :

• Donaghadee: with its 17th-century fishing port, this village is home to Ireland’s oldest pub (Grace Neills, founded in 1611).
• Portaferry: a quiet, picturesque port village much appreciated by visitors for its proximity to Strangford Louth, an exceptionally beautiful lake with over 2000 species of aquatic life. And don’t miss the “Exploris” aquarium, said to be the largest in Ireland!
• Greyabbey: a charming little village known for the ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1193 and bearing the same name as the town (Grey Abbey). The site is exceptional, with a small cemetery rich in Celtic crosses and centuries-old tombs.

Other local attractions include Mount Stewart, a 40-hectare estate renowned for its 18th-century manor house and wooded gardens. The site is impressive, and you can visit the building for a fee (around €7 per person).