An A-Z of NI: I for the Irish Sea Coastal Route.
From the Copeland Island/Donaghadee coastline this route takes you south along the Ards Peninsula coast, across on the ferry to Strangford, and along the coast to the Mournes and finishing in Greencastle.
You can continue along the rest of the Irish Sea coastline by taking the Carlingford Ferry to Greenore and travelling south.
It’s a beautiful coastline with numerous beaches along the whole route, opportunities to sea swim around every corner, mountains, seaside villages, and countless activities and places to stop and enjoy.
Key points we love and have visited are:
📍Donaghadee
📍Millisle
📍Ballywalter
📍Ballyhalbert and Burr Point (the eastern most point on the island)
📍 Portavogie (A small fishing village with a boat wreck on the beach)
📍Kirkistown Castle
📍Cloughey and it’s long beach
📍Kearney Village (a @nationaltrustni village)
📍Quintin Castle (a private castle on the coast apparently owned by Tayto)
📍St Cooey’s Well
📍Ballyquintin Farm (a National Trust run farmland)
📍Portaferry to Strangford
📍Kilclief beach and castle
📍Ballyhornan Beach
📍Killough
📍St John’s Point Lighthouse
📍Rossglass, Minerstown, Tyrella beaches for a sea swim
📍Dundrum
📍Murlough Nature Reserve
📍Newcastle and the Mournes
📍Bloody Bridge
📍Annalong
📍Kilkeel
📍Cranfield Beach
📍Greencastle
