Guesthouses In Bangor Co Down

Rory's training ground

GO IRELAND:  Hollywood is associated with stars of the screen but Holywood’s big shot is now a green star. The Co Down town is a good place to explore from, writes SHIRLEY LANIGAN  

HOLLYWOOD IS always in the news. This week however, the Holywood big shot is not a screen star but a green star – the wonderful Rory McIllroy. And Holywood, Co Down, his home town is rightly proud of its famous son. Within hours of his win at the US Open last Sunday night, even the town’s Wikipedia site was updated with news of the victory.

The town is a busy spot built on a series of hills, like its famous namesake. There are cafes and restaurants and small shops, making it a good place to spend the evening after a day out and about.

Another claim to fame is that it is home to the only working Maypole on the island. I passed this strange object several times, wondering what a tall ships’ mast was doing in the middle of the town before a local put me right.

Holywood is minutes from Belfast and a good base for forays into the city. But it is also a perfect hub for a more relaxed, exploring holiday on the Ards Peninsula, taking in walks, gardens, historical sites and perhaps even a round of golf.

Golf  

What golfer wouldn’t want to take a turn about the course that McIllroy grew up playing on? There will be a perfect opportunity to play the Holywood Golf Club on August 19th when the Rory McIllroy Classic will be held (non-member entry £20) and the prizes will be presented by McIllroy himself.

Holywood Golf Club, Nuns Walk, Demesne Road, Holywood, Co Down, tel: 048-90423135.

Gardens  

While golfers dream of victory at the Masters, there are more than enough things to keep golfing widows, orphans and widowers happy. McIllroy aside, Mount Stewart is the Ards Peninsula’s most famous attraction.

This World Heritage Site garden has been luring visitors from all over the world for decades. It is the jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland’s open gardens, a place full of iconic features including the Shamrock and Red Hand Gardens.

Mount Stewart House can also be visited. Check the website for news of garden fairs, jazz concerts and other events.

Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Co Down, tel: 048-42788387/42788487. May-September 10am-8pm; October, 10am-6pm. Admission to garden and house: Adults £7.80, children £3.90, family £19.30.

Ireland - 10 Great Beaches

Ireland - 10 Great Beaches

Ireland is a relatively small island off the West coast of mainland Britain, with around 3 million inhabitants. The beauty of Ireland is that as an island we have a varied coastline; North, South, East and West which offers any visitor the chance to experience some of the most beautiful beaches in Western Europe. Here is a list of my top ten beaches from around the island of Ireland. Whether you want to walk the dog, have a snooze after your picnic lunch or try your hand at surfing, Irish beaches can offer you everything you want (plus more!) to make your holiday a memorable one!

A lovely stretch of golden sands in Limavady on the North East coast. There is also a complex nearby which has been designated as a nature reserve. Experience a walk through the dunelands.

Between the popular seaside resort of Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies this lovely beach and with its' extensive dunes. The Strand is two miles long and is also an important nature conservation area.

In the North East area of Downpatrick, Co. Down, Tyrella Beach offers a wide and beautiful flat sandy beach with important natural dunes.

From the coastal town of Bangor in the North East, you can walk to this beautiful area with its' remote and unspoilt beaches and country park. An area of historic significance in both World Wars.

The 'Heavenly cove' is regarded by many as the most scenic and dramatic beach in the whole northwest facing the Atlantic Ocean. Miles of golden sand it is popular for all kinds of water sports; board sailing, surfing and water skiing. 6 Bundoran, Donegal From the car park, you walk down a steep path to a glorious stretch of a sandy beach facing Donegal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Walk this beach and stop to watch the surfers.

County Mayo on the North West coast has many lovely clean beaches which are ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing and other water sports. This is just one of them.

Near the lovely city of Wexford, this is considered one of the best beaches in the South East, with over a mile of golden sands.

The capital of Southern Ireland is Dublin. Within 2 minutes of the city centre is Balbriggan which not only offers lovely coastal walks but is also home to a large colony of seals which can regularly be seen around the harbour area.

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