|
Counties Down and Armagh occupy the southeastern corner of Northern Ireland, between Belfast and the border. It's a region where all too many of the place names are familiar from the news, and certainly the border areas, especially South Armagh, have borne more than their share of the Troubles. But it's also very attractive country, especially around the coast, and you're never far away from associations with St Patrick , who sailed into Strangford Lough to make his final Irish landfall in County Down, founded his first bishopric at Armagh, and is buried at either Downpatrick or Armagh, depending on whose claim you choose. Heading south from Belfast, the glowering Mourne Mountains increasingly dominate the panorama, and it's in this direction that most of the attractions lie. If you simply take the main roads in and out of Belfast - the A1 for Newry and the border, or the M1 motorway west - you'll come across very little to stop for: it's in the rural areas, the mountains and coast, that the charm of this region lies. Probably the best option is to head east from Belfast around the Down shore - past the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum , one of the best in the North, and the blowsy suburban resort of Bangor into the Ards Peninsula or along the banks of Strangford Lough . There are plenty of little beaches, early Christian sites, defensive tower houses and fine mansions to visit on the way towards Newcastle , the best base for excursions on foot into the Mourne Mountains. Beyond the Mournes a fine coast road curves around to Carlingford Lough and the border. Inland there's less of interest, certainly in County Down. Armagh city , though, is well worth some of your time for its ancient associations, cathedrals and fine Georgian streets. South Armagh has some startlingly attractive country, especially around the peak of Slieve Gullion .
Your Tip for Down and Armagh
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Down and Armagh - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Down and Armagh - visit the main Down and Armagh forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Down and Armagh webguide section below! Thanks.
|
