When you live in Newtownards you will pass the building a million and one times but not really…read morenotice it - which is a real shame as this is a historical building and part of the history and heritage of Newtownards. These are the remains of a Dominican Priory founded in 1244. Hugh Montgomery established a newtown within the grounds of the old priory and this flourished and was used as a central area for the new market town. The restoration of the building began in 1609 by Montgomery and this can be seen within the building on a carved stone. The ruins of the old tower and part of this old building can still be seen. If you look closely you can see Montgomery's monogram ad some bible references etched into the stone. In 1988 part of the old door was restored by the Ulster Heritage Center and the door will be opened on request, it is worth a look as this is a fine example of our ulster-Scot heritage and was, at one time, a big tourist attraction.

As other reviewers have said The Priory is slap bang in the middle of Newtownards yet you could…read morepass it without even registering as an important part of our culture and heritage. Although the budget is tight down at the old Tourist board they could do with digging into their pockets and forking out for a few signs to properly promote this place. The reason I say this is that The Priory is actually a really interesting place, I did not realise the significance of this place until I paid it a long overdue visit. The Priory is an example of a Dominican (Black) Piory and is one of the only remaining examples in Northern Ireland. The Priory is worth a visit if only for the convenience of the place, whether you are a day-tripper or a local The priory will at very least give you an insight into the regions culture.

It looks like a jewelry box but it's actually the Jaffe Memorial Fountain. Striking and brightly…read morecolorful it was originally erected in 1874 by Sir Otto Jaffe to honor his father, Daniel Jaffe. It was initially placed in Victoria Square but was later moved to the Botanic Gardens, where it remained until 2008 It is intricate and elegant, made of Portland stone with each of the smaller columns featuring a female figure that represents each of the four seasons. It stands at the Victoria Street entrance to the Victoria Square shopping center. The original yellow and white were apparently selected to reflect the aesthetic preferences of the Victorian era, as these were popular colors to symbolize purity and light and optimism. It is indeed a fountain but in September it was dry. I'm not sure if it is ever filled with water. [Review 1883 of 2024 - 866 in United Kingdom - 22905 overall]

I bet you've walked past this wee gem hundreds of times but never given it a second look, I'm right…read morearen't I? Well now it's time to be enlightened. This is the Jaffa Fountain, not named after everyone's favourite cake/biscuit but actually named after Belfast's first Lord Mayor Otto Jaffa. The fountain itself was actually built in 1879 and it was erected in its current location, but here's the strange part. As industrial and commercial Belfast grew it was moved out to Botanic Gardens - mature students might recognise it from those days. Once Victoria Square was commissioned the decision was made to bring the old fellow back to its rightful place. I for one am glad they did as I think it provides a welcome nod to Belfast's past in the centre of its current commercial renaissance.

The tower itself is closed to the public but the grounds are accessible at any time,I'm not a hippy…read moreor anything but I really want to get up early some morning in the summer and walk up to scrabo tower and have a bowl of cornflakes as the sun rises. The views on a sunny day are fantastic over Belfast,comber and the Irish sea. The walks through the quarries and through killyneither woods are long and challenging in places, great for a bit of exercise and peace and quiet , bring food and a disposable bbq there's lots of picnic tables throughout the park. Great place to bring your kids or walk your dog. Would benefit from a shop here for drinks and snacks. You can have dinner in the golf club though.

The price is 5 pound it's good you get to walk up to the top went a hour ago just to look inside it…read morewas fun haven't been in while that's why I went today

Just as you walk past the Northern Bank on Killinchy Street you will come to some cobbled pavement…read morewith the shapes of a hound and a hare outlined in white against the traditional dark cobbles. There are also words spelt out in white stone and a few other pictures which I couldn't really make out. I stopped three passers-by to tell what this was. The first guy was eastern European and hadn't a clue what I was on about. The second man thought I was trying to chat him up and just kept giggling and smiling before walking off with a big grin on his face (?) and the third elderly lady knew the craic - if in doubt about anything historical ask elderly ladies - they know everything. Apparently the image is of a hound dog chasing a hare and was put there by the man who owned the Comber Distillery which was just up the street a bit. He used to live in the houses that the pavement is outside and he did the piece of art in memorial to a winning greyhound that won at the English Waterloo Cup for a few years in the 1800's. He must have got a bet up and won a few bob or why bother. I might do a stencil of whichever horse wins the grand national this year but only if I win a quid or two. If you don't look down you will miss this interesting and local 'Banksy'

The castle is really like a small tower and sits at the front of sketrick island. You can walk…read morearound the ruins even though they're not the safest looking. The views and local scenery are beautiful with sketrick bring on an island in Strangford lough. There's a bar/restaurant behind it called daft eddies and an old lightship that seems to be some sort of private club. There's loads of parking and a car park further down the road with public toilets and views towards the castle and island.

This is another hidden gem in County Down, sorry that's getting to be a bit of a cliché but it…read morereally is a wonderful place to visit. When I was younger we used to go on day trips to Sketrick Catsle. It was never to far away and it used to be an ideal distance to travel so that all of the kids in the back seat would be content with a car journey but not desperate for a wee. Sketrick was built in the 15th Century and used for active warfare in the 16th century. The irony of the place is that it stood firm through countless enemy attacks and then a storm knocked down two of the four stories that originally stood on the castle. The castle also had a fresh spring underneath so that people could be under siege for months at a time. Sketrick has become forgotten by many but I still see it as a great day out but this may just be due to childhood nostalgia.

OK, now this is going to be difficult for me to review without me hurting anyone's feelings. I have…read moregiven the windmill itself five stars but I would like to give my experience there 3 stars. Let me tell you why. A windmill is a windmill and I know and have known for ages that this particular windmill is an awesome sight to behold so I decided to call in just to take a few pictures to add to my collection of Co. Downs beautiful things to see photo album. It was half twelve and I said to myself that I would park, jump out, get a few gorgeous shots, jump back in the car and be home to walk the dog by 1pm - that did not happen. As I approached the windmill a man named Brian jumped out from nowhere and asked me did I want to see his little house? Bemused and bewildered I thought 'well, why not? I've got five minutes.' One hour later I came out of the windmill my head spinning faster than the windmill ever did - facts and information don't do well in my wee head between the months of June and September so I could barely cope with the witty(?) and informative guide. Don't get me wrong, if I was in a party of 10, or a Japanese tourist in a party of five or a group of primary school children I would have loved the quizzes and the jigsaw and the 'lighting the board up with the right answers' game, I'd even have loved looking for the fake mouse or searching for the secret button - but I wasn't, I am a thirty year old, rather cynical, woman with no children and a small desire to take a photograph of a windmill. I think Brian is amazing at tour guiding and there is a million and one things to see and learn about the Ballycopeland Windmill but he should try to ascertain whether or not the visitors really care that much before he literally bombards them with all the facts. I got away when another witless woman and a small child arrived. I got into my car to the sounds of 'Do you want to see my wee house?' Just to finish off this review I want to make it entirely clear that the windmill is a great sight to behold, still fully functioning and restored to its former glory I have no doubt that this is a place of cultural significance and importance. Brian is a great guide - he should maybe just tweak his tours for parties of one and let them have a wee look around on their own and ask him questions after. The whole experience was so intimate and informative I can honestly say I actually picked up very little about the windmill itself.

The strange thing about Ballycopeland windmill is that it should be busy all year round with…read moretourists as it represents North Downs culture and heritage. It is not sign posted and could easily be ignored from the road, but definitely should not be. It is the last representation of farming barley in the region and really is a thing of beauty. Built in the 19th Century the windmill is in working order and inside there is even a video tutorial explaining the milling of barley from start to finish. Guided tours are available and it is completely wheelchair accessible. If it is windy enough you may even see the process first hand. On a summers day this would be a beautiful place to go for a picnic, it is an idyllic setting but also very interesting. This is another example of beauty going to waste in Northern Ireland, this could be a flagship of tourism bringing in much needed revenue to the area. The Windmill is currently only open in July and August. It is only a 5 minute drive from the seaside so my advice is to get an ice cream and head up to the Windmill, I guarantee you will be fascinated.

Helen's Tower is a local attraction and a bit of a Newtownards landmark. Situated way up high in…read morethe dark, vast, Clandeboye forest this tower is majestic and unfolds from the landscape looking almost ghostly. The walk up to Helen's tower starts out easy. Park at the corner on the main road (careful now!) and walk through the turn style onto the path. Simply follow your nose and you will come to a large green area, which quickly transforms into a very large pond with lots of ducks and swans - very pretty. If you keep walking for another while you will come to a crossroads and if you go right you will begin the uphill climb to the tower. The track isn't so clear from now on and you will need to stop every so often to put your head up in order to see the top of the tower and plan your path. The tower was commissioned by Lord Dufferin of Clandeboye , designed by Scottish architect William Burn and completed in October 1861. The tower was named in honour of Dufferin's mother, Helen Selina Blackwood, the Lady Dufferin. As I was writing this review my fiancé was yelling at me to mention THIEPVAL, so here goes - A close replica of Helen's Tower, the Ulster Tower, was built at Thiepval in 1921 to honour the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who fell at the Battle of the Somme. A nice day out but you can't actually get into the tower itself and bring water; I was blooming knackered after the hike.

The Wikipedia entry for this place reads as follows -…read more "Helen's Tower lies in the woods of the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland. The tower was commissioned by Lord Dufferin of Clandeboye, designed by Scottish architect William Burn and completed in October 1861. The tower was named in honour of Dufferin's mother, Helen Selina Blackwood, the Lady Dufferin. A close replica of Helen's Tower, the Ulster Tower, was built at Thiepval in 1921 to honour the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who fell at the Battle of the Somme. Clandeboye Estate was used for army training by the 36th (Ulster) Division during the First World War." This pretty much sums this place up, but it really is a nice wee walk and a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. My lady loves these types of places and we have checked out Helen's Tower a couple of times and enjoyed it each time. A lovely part of North Down and well worth a look.

This was a beautiful building, inside and out. I loved the stained glass windows and…read morearchitecture! There were many different rooms to explore, with museum-like pictures and information to view. The toilets are free!

Belfast City Hall is the city center district and located in a business area, but with expanding…read moreresidential and entertainment. Plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, churches, and historical locations surrounding the city hall. Inside is very beautiful layout architecture with a beautiful dome plus plenty of glass windows artwork. Inside the surrounding garden within, there are: Titanic Memorial Garden, Korea War Memorial, Victoria Memorial, Boer War Memorial Royal Irish Riffles, and couple statues on the other side plus city ground for you to seat and admire the city hall.

I have driven past this stone to many times to count but it was not until today that I thought I…read morewould go and have a look at it. Located on the shore between Millisle and Donaghadee this is North Downs very own Stonehenge, the only difference being it was erected probably by machinery in the 20th century. But that's just small print. It is actually a memorial to the late Major Richard Gustavus Heyn, who was owner of the once famous Ulster Steamship Company and a member of the flying corps during the first World War. The inscription has now been eroded by the Irish Sea Salt water. The land around the monument is owned by a local farmer but you can walk right up to the monument if you do not mind cows and cow pat. This is also be an ideal place to view Scotland across the Irish Sea on a clear day.

So I'd heard about the big stone before from my future father-in-law who is a member of the Ards…read morehistorical society. He knows I'm interested in the establishment of the churches in Ireland and that I have a particular love of the big green man himself - Sir Saint Patrick, bringer of St. Patrick's day and all the drinking that goes with it! Yee Haa! Anyways, i'm going off track, I decided to go out and have a look at the big rock thing and was put off immediately by how hard it is to access. I had to park my car in a nursing home, pet some cows so they knew I ment them no harm, climb a fence and walk through nettles - St Patrick himself didn't have as much bother as me getting over to Millisle I can bet. So, I though that the rock was a symbol to mark an area where St. Patrick was supposed to have handed when he was coming over to do his thing but it turns out the rock has nout to do with the green man at all and in fact was made and put there by human hands to remember a major and the owner of the Ulster Steamship Company. Some other historical stuff went on with this mayor man - I fell asleep listening to it to be honest - the rock was a let down. Took me a while to get to it, the land is wild and harsh and played havoc with my stilettos. It's an anti-climax, I returned to my car disappointed. I met a lovely cow though. She licked my face.