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About
Down One of Ireland's most fertile counties, Down is notable for its low, beautifully cultivated hills. Its shorelines run from the Flat Ards Peninsula taking in Strangford Lough, to the beautiful Mountains of Mourne. The county boasts many important historic sites and ancient monuments, together with a wealth of attractions for the sporting enthusiast, the walker and especially the sightseer. Down also incorporates the section of Belfast that lies east of the River Lagan. Down's history dates back approximately 7000 years. Saint Patrick arrived in Strangford Lough in 432 and died in the area in 461. To this day the whereabouts of his remains are disputed, with some preferring to believe his final resting place is actually in Armagh. By the time of his death, Saint Patrick had succeeded in his crusade to convert Ulster to Christianity which in turn elevated him to the exalted status of a national hero. In his wake, Irish monasteries flourished and repeated attacks by the Vikings were staved off. It was eventually the Normans who ousted the Irish Monks and who then set about building Grey Abbey on the Ards Peninsula. Inch Abbey near Downpatrick was also constructed around this time. Castles it would appear though, were their main priority and many still survive to this day along the coast. During the period of the Plantations, Scottish and English settlers were given large sections of land previously occupied by the native Irish. These settlers were responsible for the development of the linen industry in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and also saw to the building of local towns and roads. Today, heading into Down from Belfast travellers will pass the Mourne Mountains which dominate the southern half of the county. By taking the A20 as opposed to the A2 you'll see Stormont Castle on the way to Newtownards. For a coastal drive, head out on the A2 through Hollywood and make your way towards Bangor, set in a bay with views out over Belfast Lough. Head on down the coast and you're on the Ards Peninsulala, which encloses Strangford Lough. The Lough itself is not actually a lake at all but an extension of the Irish Sea. One notable attraction in this area is a lighthouse at Donaghadee which was painted by Brendan Behan himself. From here you can also get to the wildlife sanctuaries on the Copeland Islands, a few miles off the coast. Some
other attractions to look out for in Down include: North Down Heritage
Centre Ulster Folk and Transport Museum Crawfordsburn Country Park Nendrum Monastic Site Somme Heritage Centre Strangford Lough Grey Abbey Mount Stewart House and Gardens Inch Abbey
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