County Down

County Down (Irish: Contae an Dúin) is a county in Northern Ireland.

Cities, towns and villages

54°22′27″N 5°54′23″W

Map of County Down

Cities

54.597-5.931 Belfast (Béal Feirste, "mouth of the river bank") - partly in County Antrim — the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. It is also the second largest city on the island of Ireland (after Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland), and the fifteenth largest in the United Kingdom. Shattered by more than three decades of paramilitary conflict, Belfast has undergone a renaissance and is now a vibrant, modern city.
54.512-6.0312 Lisburn (Lios na gCearrbhach, "fort of the stream") - partly in County Antrim, location of the Irish Linen Museum
54.176-6.3493 Newry (Iúr Cinn Trá, "gap of the north") - partly in County Armagh in south-eastern of Northern Island between the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion

Towns

54.66-5.674 Bangor (Beannchar) - large wealthy town on the coast
54.322-5.7035 Downpatrick (Dún Pádraig, "Patrick's stronghold") - Believed to be the burial place of Saint Patrick, check out the St Patrick's Centre
54.636-5.8456 Holywood (Ard Mhic Nasca) - with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
54.215-5.897 Newcastle (An Caisleán Nua) - seaside resort town
54.594-5.8138 Dundonald (Dún Dónaill)
54.591-5.689 Newtownards (Baile Nua na hArda) - the Scrabo Tower and the Somme Heritage Centre
54.348953-6.26997510 Banbridge (Droichead na Banna) - a number of ancient sites as well as the last remaining of the old established Irish linen Jacquard weavers in Ireland
54.509-5.87211 Carryduff (Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh, "Black Hugh's quarter")

Villages

54.462-6.08312 Hillsborough (Cromghlinn) - village with significant amounts of Georgian architecture
54.37065-5.5554713 Strangford (Baile Loch Cuan) - a number of castles and locations used in the filming of Game of Thrones
54.267-5.93314 Castlewellan (Caisleán Uidhilín, "Uidhilín's castle") - including forest park
54.3809-5.548615 Portaferry (Port a' Pheire, "landing place of the ferry") - and the Exploris aquarium

Other destinations

54.166667-6.0833331 Mourne Mountains (na Beanna Boirche) - range popular with hikers

Understand

Talk

English is the primary language, although you may find it a challenge understanding as locals talk very fast and have a distinct accent from the rest of Ireland.

Get in

Most visitors will arrive in Belfast City Airport or Belfast International at Aldergrove. While 'George Best City Airport' is right in the city, the International is 20 miles (32 km) away by Motorway, so plan your transportation accordingly.

Get around

There is a limited bus service between several towns in County Down, but many must connect in Belfast.

The best way to see around is to hire a car, as distances are far too great for cycling.

See

The Ards Peninsula has many 'typical' Northern Irish towns which are interesting to travel around.

Do

Visit the Mourne Mountains. Trek the mountain paths for nice rivers and a great view over Newcastle towards the top. Alternatively, drive around them for wonderful scenery (on a good weather day) and quaint mountain walls before reaching Silent Valley and looping back around the other side.

Go next

north to County Antrim
west to County Armagh

This region travel guide to County Down is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.