Luxury South-East
Armagh, ecclesiastical capital of Ireland; and Down with its links to St. Patrick offer the visitor an amazing variety of activities and ‘don’t miss’ venues.
For sports enthusiasts, where better to start than at the home of the 2007 Walker Cup, the majestic Royal County Down Golf Club. Voted the ‘best golf course in the world’ outside the USA by Planet Golf, the world famous championship links at Royal County Down has become a star attraction for professional golfers and celebrities alike. A regular at Royal County Down, Tiger Woods once commented with his trademark smile “I shot an 83 at County Down once, and I was the low man in my group!” The stunning view of the Mountains of Mourne from the 1st tee might explain why Tiger keeps coming back for more. Race fans have been enjoying the ‘Sport of Kings’ at the prestigious Down Royal Racecourse since the 17th century.
Today the numerous meetings held at Down Royal boast some of the best race facilities to be found anywhere in Ireland. The Summer Festival, which includes Lady’s Day, the Ulster Derby and the 2 day Northern Ireland Festival of Racing, are not to be missed events on the social calendar.
Mount Stewart House
with its sumptuous gardens, or imaginatively created ‘outdoor rooms’, is situated on the spectacular shores of Strangford Lough.
The house itself is a treasure-trove and celebrates the Londonderry family’s position at the heart of Irish and British politics. House tours include the Stubbs painting voted one of the British Isles’ top works of art.
A trip to Rowallane Garden, an enchanting and informal paradise, or the wooded riverside estate of The Argory with its time capsule of a neo-classical Irish gentry house, is guaranteed to deliver an afternoon of peace and relaxation.
Why not stop off at the charming Old Inn at Crawfordsburn (a favourite haunt of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ author, CS Lewis) which has been welcoming travellers for nearly 400 years!
The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, where ’living history’ explains life in early 20th Century Ulster, is a must visit. For vehicle enthusiasts, the vast and eclectic collection of vintage transport – including the locally manufactured De Lorean DMC-12 - will be a revelation.
A visit to the Georgian city of Armagh, Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital, is both rewarding and spiritual. Besides the beauty of Armagh’s Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Cathedrals, visitors can take a glimpse at the stars from the wonderful Armagh Planetarium, home to Ireland’s largest public telescope. The Palace Stables Heritage Centre brings all aspects of Georgian Ireland to life; interact with the costumed characters who will explain to visitors just what 18th century life was like.