The Downpatrick Road leads to Bath Street. Here on the left is the part-time Ardglass Tourism and Marine Heritage centre. Open during the summer months, and outside of this time operates as a community centre.
Before the Marina car park, look left at the tidal North Dock. Built by William Ogilvie in 1813. The original lighthouse was blown down in 1838 and replaced by the present fine structure in metal.
Free car park at Ardglass Marina is an ideal place to leave your car for this tour of Ardglass and loop back to this point. Visiting boats welcome all year.
Part of Ardglass’s conservation area designated in 1996 which focuses on its early 19th century street pattern. The village has eight archaeological sites within the area and another two nearby.
Opposite children’s play park, the Bath House is a Victorian structure created to provide ‘decorum’ to Victorian ladies wanting to take a dip during Ardglass’s heyday of being a spa in the 1800’s.
The Norman’s warlord John de Courcey seized Ard Ghlais in 1177. Normans developed Ardglass and Carraig Fhearghais as the 2 main Norman ports in Ulster. Many families with Norman names still live in Lecale.
Jordan/ Castle Shane 7
Castle Shane or Jordan’s Castle was the Norman citadel of Ardglass during the 1300’s and 1400’s until it fell to the O’Neills. It was later recaptured by English forces, changing hands many times over the centuries.
Place 8
This fine three-storey Georgian style terrace was built by William Ogilvie, around 1850. The terrace now houses an Italian Restaurant and faces the internationally renowned Ardglass Golf Club.
Cowd’s Castle is at the entrance to Ardglass Golf Club. This 15th century Norman tower house is thought to have been part of a defensive curtain around the port. It had a defensive wall linking it to Ardglass Castle.
ardglass & horn Castles – the golf Club
Ardglass Castle developed into a fortified trading warehouse in 1401 in the reign of Henry VI of England. The ‘Newerk’ or ‘New Works’ was supposedly created by a London trading company which settled at Ardglass. Margaret’s Castle
This fortified Tower dwelling was connected by a defensive wall to the other towers. Built in the 15th century, only two storeys still exist but there is evidence that it was at least three storeys high.
This was all once a wooded area, but was converted to housing and playing fields some years ago. There is a big new children’s play park here.
Highest point of Ardglass - the Carn of an ancient hero. Tower built by Aubrey William Beauclerk for his daughter Isabella who was suffering from Tuberculosis in 1851. This has been a coastguard watch tower.
The Erasmus Smith institution was established in 1820. One of the school’s most important pupils was Thomas Hunter who founded one of America’s top female colleges, The Hunter College in New York.
The Catholic Church was built in 1828 on land generously given free by the local landlord William Ogilvie. This was an important gesture at the time as Catholicism had been suppressed until the late 1700’s.
King’s Castle was built in the 19th century by Charles Russell of Killough. It was based on the 2 fortified Norman towers that used to stand at the entrance to Ardglass in the 14th century.
St nicholas’ Church of Ireland
There was a Church recorded on this site in 1306 but was in ruins in 1622 following 300 years of eventful history in Ardglass covered on our website. Built in 1813 when relics of the original church were found.
A congregation was formed when Reverend Joseph Burns was ordained in 1841, and the Church was built in 1842. Reverend Thomas MacAfee was minister for an amazing 65 years from 1845-1910.
Westward from Historic Ardglass
The centre
of the Lecale
Coast –follow the Ulster/Lecale Way
1. Ardglass Golf Club
A world-class golf club, reputed to be one of the most picturesque in the world, set in the oldest clubhouse in the world at Castle Place surrounded by the Castles of Ardglass.
2. Coney Island
Follow the Ulster Way westward between Ardglass and Killough. Take a 30 minute stroll along picturesque Coney Island beach, around the Island and back. Park on the main road to avoid nuisance to residents in the cottages.
3. Killough Village
Killough has free parking in the village centre. Enjoy the circular ‘Rope Walk’ along the family-friendly beach and Quay and up the main street of this picturesque village with nice shops, pubs and restaurants. A great day out.
4. St John’s Point to Mourne Mountains
Out of Killough along Point Road will bring you towards the Lighthouse. Views past Rossglass beach to Minerstown beach (dogs on leads! Pupping seals!), the famous Tyrella beach and towards Dundrum, gateway of the Mournes.
Eastward from Historic Ardglass
The centre of the Lecale Coast –follow the Ulster/Lecale Way
5. Sheeplands
The Coastal walk passes though the Marine Reserve at Sheeplands connecting Ardglass with Ballyhornan. The story of Sheeplands and Saint Patrick’s Well in our inter-active website. Visit Ardtole church on the way.
6. Ardtole – St Nicholas’ Church
Between 1847 to 1881 alone, 32 ships sank off this coast. Appropriately the church is dedicated to St Nicholas. This Anglo-Norman church was destroyed by Gaelic Clans pushing the Normans out of Ulster in the 1400’s.
7. Dunsford
Between Ardglass and Ballyhornan village is the Norman village of Dunsford. Awardwinning Currans Bar and Restaurant is a must for the weary hiker or hungry visitor–with a playpark for children.
8. Ballyhornan Beach
Park up at the beach car park, and take a day to enjoy this lovely long beach that connects the beautiful Sheeplands Marine Reserve to the Nature Reserve at Killard Point past Gunns Island.
9. Killard Nature Reserve
Lovely beaches on both sides of the reserve are ideal for a picnic. Set out from the lay-by and follow the signs. Help the wardens by gathering up any rubbish you see, avoiding nesting birds and keep dogs on a leash.
10. Kilclief Beach
Kilclief is one of a string of lovely beaches. Bring your bicycles and head off towards Ballyhornan after parking at the Council owned car park to find a secluded beach of your own. This village is the Hurling capital
11. Strangford Village
Strangford is the gateway to the Narrows and Loch Cuan. Accommodation, shops and restaurant/pubs like The Cuan, The Pantry, The Lobster Pot and the Hole in the Wall all provide a welcoming atmosphere.
12. The Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick
Visit the year-round inter-active visitor and tourist centre. Walk though a wooded walk to the graves of St Patrick and St Brigid at the ancient Cathedral of Down following the St Patrick’s trail around Lecale.
Ardglass is a Beautiful and historic village on the County Down Lecale Coast, overlooking the Irish Sea.
Ardglass is a beautiful and historic village on the County Down Lecale Coast, overlooking the Irish Sea.
Ardglass derives its name of the Irish ‘Ard Ghlais’; ‘the green a reference to the conical elevation, now known as The Ward, west of the town. This mound was raised as a monument to warrior, bard or chief whose funeral relics were found during of Isabella’s Tower. The village has been a fishing port for more thousand years. Ardglass developed due to its location on of Lecale and its natural inlet.
The Normans between 1177 and 1433 developed Ardglass Carrickfergus as part of their ultimately unsuccessful campaign to conquer Ulster. The many castles of Ardglass and Lecale testament to the strength of the Norman colony in Lecale Ards defending the area against the O’Neills and other local clanns. It was the strongest colony outside the Pale in Dublin.
The Ardglass Tourism & Maritime Heritage Centre was created by the Ardglass Development Association in cooperation with local historians as a hub for local historical and modern day interests.
At www.ardglasshistory.com we have hundreds of historical photographs of ships, shipping, fishing, crews and the extensive Maritime History of this fishing portCan you name a boat or spot your Granny or Grandad? The Ardglass Development Association obtained these photographs from the National Museum in Dublin, Cultra and Down County Museum - see our display in Bath Street.
For information on events, what to see and do, where to eat and where to stay please visit:
Ards Visitor Information Centre
31 Regent Street Newtownards BT23 4AD
028 9182 6846
Open year round
Ardglass Tourism & Maritime
Heritage Centre 12 Bath Street
Ardglass BT30 7SEinfo@ardglass.eu
Open Juneend of August
d ownpatrick Visitor Information Centre
The Saint Patrick Centre 53a Market Street Downpatrick BT30 6LZ028 4461 2233
Open year round
Down District Council would like to thank the following for their assistance: Ardglass Development Association and Cadogan Enright
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street
Portaferry BT22 1NZ028 4272 9882
Open Easterend of August
