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Ards Peninsula St Patrick Trail: An Unseen Irish Journey with Strangford Lough Ferry
5.0
1 Rating
Newtownards
Discover Saint Patrick’s legacy on the Ards Peninsula with a customizable tour. Explore historic sites, Game of Thrones locations, and stunning landscapes.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Scrabo Tower - Scrabo Tower is a 135-foot-tall 19th-century lookout tower or folly situated on Scrabo Hill near Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland. It offers expansive views and is a prominent landmark visible from a distance. We will climb up and enjoy the magnificent views! It was constructed as a tribute to Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, and was initially called the Londonderry Monument. Its architectural design is Scottish Baronial Revival. (Howley 1993) Scrabo Hill reaches a height of 540 feet (160 m) above sea level. The tower’s viewing platform or parapet walk, accessible by climbing 122 steps, provides vistas over Strangford Lough and its islands, as well as the towns of Newtownards and Comber. The area to the south and southwest of Scrabo Hill is part of the Ulster Drumlin Belt, a glacial landform that can be clearly seen from the tower. On clear days, you can see Helen’s Tower to the north, the Copeland Islands with their lighthouse, and the Scottish coast (Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Craig, and Rhins of Galloway) beyond the North Channel to the northeast, the Isle of Man to the southeast, the Mourne Mountains to the south, and Divis Mountain and Cave Hill over Belfast to the west. - Strangford Lough - An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. - The Saint Patrick Centre - Discover the story of St. Patrick. - Down Cathedral - Down Cathedral is a Church of Ireland cathedral located on the site of a Benedictine Monastery built in 1183. Saint Patrick’s Grave Outside Down Cathedral, on the highest part of Cathedral Hill, lies the grave of Saint Patrick, the apostle of Ireland. By the early medieval period, Patrick’s grave had become a significant site for the growing church, and an important monastery had developed around it. At this time, the tradition of the hill being the burial place of saints Brigid and Columcille was added to the legend of Patrick, leading to the well-known couplet: “In Down, three saints one grave do fill, Patrick, Brigid and Columcille.” A large granite stone marker was placed on Cathedral Hill in the early 1900s to protect the grave from the many pilgrims who visited, some of whom were known to take scoops of earth from the grave abroad with them when they emigrated. Location: Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s Grave are situated on Cathedral Hill beside the Saint Patrick Centre. Saint Patrick’s remains are buried on the site. The cathedral features magnificent stained glass windows, box pews, and a beautiful organ case. Visit Saint Patrick’s Grave and enjoy a private tour of Down Cathedral! Opening times Monday - Saturday 09:30 - 16:00 Sunday - 14:00 - 16:00 - Slieve Patrick Statue - We will climb a mountain! Enjoy the amazing views from the top! - Saul Church - Ireland’s first Christian church, beautiful and historic. - Inch Abbey - A must-visit for Game of Thrones fans! Inch Abbey is a large, ruined monastic site located 0.75 miles northwest of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, on the north bank of the River Quoile, nestled between two drumlins and showcasing early Gothic architecture. The site is mostly under State Care and is at grid ref: J477455, off the main road to Belfast. Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy as atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey. The buildings mainly date from the 12th and 13th centuries, and it is believed the church is older than Grey Abbey, which was built around 1193. Inch Abbey Game of Thrones Filming Location Gaze upon the remains of a Cistercian abbey on the north bank of the River Quoile, and one phrase will come to mind: “THE KING OF THE NORTH!” Why? This 12th-century building was where Robb Stark’s bannermen rallied to their leader after taking victory (and Jaime Lannister prisoner) at the Battle of the Whispering Wood. In addition to being the camp of The Houses of the North and the Riverlands in Game of Thrones, Inch Abbey offers a breathtaking view of the River Quoile – in the distance, you can see Downpatrick Cathedral, the burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. Which episode was filmed here? Season 1, Episode 10: Fire and Blood used Inch Abbey as a filming location. - Struell Wells - Visit the HOLY HEALING WELLS. Well and Men’s bathhouse, Struell Wells, October 2009 Struell Wells (Irish: Toibreacha an tSruthail; Ulster-Scots: Struell Waals) are a set of four holy wells in the townland of Struell, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland (grid ref: J513442). The wells date back to before the time of Saint Patrick and are still used by people seeking cures. On Mid-Summer Eve (St John’s Eve) and the Friday before Lammas, hundreds of pilgrims used to visit Struell. The earliest written reference to the wells is from 1306, but none of the surviving buildings is earlier than around 1600. Pilgrimages to the site are well documented from the 16th to the 19th century. - Strangford - Cross Strangford Lough from Portaferry village to Strangford Village on the Car Ferry! Get out and take pictures; the lough is home to many marine life forms, including dolphins, basking sharks, and native birds. Vehicle up to 6m Single £5.80 Passenger Fares Passengers Ordinary fare: Single £1.00 Example Group of 6 with vehicle=£11.80 - Down County Museum - Welcome to Down County Museum, where the rich heritage of County Down is brought to life through fascinating exhibitions, lively events, hands-on activities, and award-winning education programs. Visitors can explore the history of the old Gaol, enjoy our permanent exhibitions, and see one of our special temporary exhibitions displaying objects from our varied collections. The Museum’s extension, featuring three new permanent galleries and a brand-new tearoom, is now open. The Museum is housed in the historic buildings of the 18th-century County Gaol of Down. The Gaol was opened in 1796 and, until its closure in 1830, housed many thousands of prisoners. The County Gaol of Down was opened in 1796. Built and managed by the County Grand Jury of Down, the Gaol housed prisoners convicted of a wide range of offenses. During its operational period (1796-1830), the Gaol saw many changes in attitudes toward crime and punishment. Georgian gaols were notoriously unregulated and haphazard in their operation of prison legislation. As the 18th century gave way to the 19th, the Gaol became increasingly outdated and unable to implement the growing bureaucracy and stricter attitudes toward separating classes of criminals. The Gaol closed in 1830. Today, visitors to the Museum can see one of the most complete surviving Georgian gaols in Ireland. A floor of restored cells evokes the atmosphere of over 200 years ago. - Belfast - Finally, drive back to your Belfast accommodation, passing through charming little towns and villages along the way. - Parliament Buildings - Drive up for a photo opportunity at the Northern Ireland Parliament. - Castle Ward - HBO’s Game of Thrones at Castle Ward. Castle Ward’s historic farmyard is the setting for Winterfell, the backdrop for the series pilot and much of season one. It’s also where you will find the Whispering Wood and key scenes including Robb Stark’s Camp, the Baelor battle, and when Brienne confronts the Stark men. HBO’s Game of Thrones® spent eight weeks at Castle Ward building the set of Winterfell ahead of the pilot episode, with hundreds of actors and crew working on the filming here. Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland, in the townland of the same name. It overlooks Strangford Lough and is 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford. - C.S. Lewis Square - Visit C.S. Lewis Square in East Belfast and explore the world of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia!
What's Included
- Optimize your time with hassle-free round-trip transfer from your Hotel or Cruise Ship!
- Enjoy the personalized service and customized itinerary of a private tour
- Experience stress-free travel with private transportation and in-vehicle air conditioning
- Marvel at the largest statue in the world of Ireland’s Patron Saint, St Patrick
- Explore beautiful Inch Abbey and hidden gems of Northern Ireland
- Benefit from the knowledge of your guide for intimate insight into the region’s history and culture
- Convenient free pick up and drop off service
- Inclusive of Strangford Lough Car Ferry Tickets and admission to Down County Museum
- Exclusive private tour of Down Cathedral and Saint Patricks Grave
What's Not Included
- Tip For Your Guide
- Upgrade to OUR VIP CHAUFFEUR PACKAGE Top of The Range Luxury Mercedes Benz Only £30(Where Available)
- Saint Patrick Center Admission
- Add extra time to your tour from £40 per hour(At Guides Discretion)
- Entrance Fee to Castle Ward (Winterfell) Game of Thrones filming location
Additional Information
Experience the Unmatchable Irish Adventure! For travellers seeking fresh perspectives, embark on a full day exploration in County Down, tracing the life and legends of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, all at an unparalleled price. Visit the NI Parliament at Stormont, explore the Ards Peninsula, ascend Scrabo hill to witness the Tower and breathtaking vistas, journey along the coast of Strangford Lough– a region of remarkable natural beauty. Take a tour to the enchanting Game of Thrones filming site, Inch Abbey, and the historic town of Downpatrick, where you can stop by Down County Museum and The Saint Patrick Centre. Visit Saint Patrick’s Grave, admire the cathedral, and marvel at the world’s largest Saint Patrick statue! Also, the ageless Game of Thrones filming location, Winterfell at Castle Ward&Inch Abbey is included. Feel free to tailor-make this tour to meet your preferences. We can also combine some moderate walking if desired.
Location
Scrabo Tower
203A Scrabo Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(1 Rating)
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Wendy_v
Oct 28, 2021
Relaxing - Castle ward and inch abbey were quiet, we were able to appreciate these attractions without the crowds knowing that they’re on the popular game of thrones route. The whole tour was relaxed with no fixed time at each attraction.
Review provided by Viator
