Donaghadee
Donaghadee is a handsome coastal town on County Down’s Ards Peninsula, celebrated for its sheltered harbour and striking lighthouse that gleams like a sentinel over the Irish Sea. For centuries this port was a vital link between Ulster and Scotland, and traces of that maritime story are woven through the pier, quays and sea-facing terraces. The 19th-century lighthouse and the long granite harbour walls offer invigorating strolls in all seasons, with clear days revealing views towards the Galloway coast.
Heritage runs deep here: an earlier motte-and-bailey and the historic Donaghadee Sound crossing feature in local lore, while old inns and shopfronts nod to the town’s trading past. Today, Donaghadee balances that history with easy-going seaside charm. Cafés spill onto pavements, restaurants champion fresh fish and chips as well as modern Irish cooking, and welcoming pubs provide live music and conversation by the fire.
Outdoors, the town is a dream for walkers and water lovers. Coastal paths loop around coves and rocky shelves used by anglers and wild swimmers; sailors and kayakers animate the harbour in summer; and families enjoy safe paddling spots and ice cream on the promenade. Community spirit is palpable in local festivals, regattas and charity swims that animate the calendar.
Base yourself here to explore the wider Ards and North Down coastline, including nearby beaches, country parks and heritage houses. Whether you come for sea air and lighthouse views, for hearty food with a view of the waves, or for the warmth of a tight-knit community that loves its town, Donaghadee offers the simple pleasures of a classic Irish seaside escape.
County Down, Northern Ireland