Strangford

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Strangford
County Down
Strangford (12), August 2009.JPG
Strangford
Location
Grid reference: H8396
Location: 54°22’14"N, 5°33’20"W
Data
Population: 474  (2001)
Postcode: BT30
Dialling code: 028
Local Government
Council: Newry, Mourne and Down

Strangford is a small village in County Down. It stands across Strangford Lough from Portaferry and is the main base for the Strangford Lough ferry service.

The village has a small harbour, which is overlooked by rows of 19th-century cottages and a fine Georgian terrace.

The name of the village is from the Old Norse Strangr-fjorðr, menaing "strong fjord", referring to the Lough.

History

In 1637 the Surveyor General of Customs issued a report compiled from accounts of customs due from each port and their "subsidiary creeks". Of the Ulster ports on the list, Carrickfergus was first, followed by Bangor, Donaghadee, and Strangford.[1]

In and about the village

  • Strangford Castle, located near the harbour in Strangford, is a 16th-century tower house with a drop hole at roof level to defend the door.
  • Castle Ward is an intriguing mansion built in 1760 in two distinct architectural styles, classical]] and gothic, overlooking Strangford Lough. The property is owned by the National Trust. Castleward is seven miles from Downpatrick and one-and-one-half miles from Strangford.
  • Audley's Castle is a 15th-century castle located one mile northeast of Strangford, on a rocky height overlooking Strangford Lough[ J5781 5058].[2]
  • Audleystown Court Cairn is a dual court grave situated near the south shore of Strangford Lough, north-west of Castle Ward, 1¾ miles from Strangford ([ 562 504]).[3]

Picture gallery

References

  1. O'Sullivan, Aidan & Breen, Colin (2007). Maritime Ireland — An Archaeology of Coastal Communities. Stroud: Tempus. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-7524-2509-2. 
  2. Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (1983). Historic Monuments of Northern Ireland. Belfast: HMSO. pp. 97–98. 
  3. Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (1983). Historic Monuments of Northern Ireland. Belfast: HMSO. p. 88. 

Outside links