Strangford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strangford is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is situated across Strangford Lough from Portaferry and is the main base for the Strangford Lough ferry service. It had a population of 474 people in the 2001 Census. Strangford is situated in the Down District Council area.
The village has a small harbour, which is overlooked by rows of 19th century cottages and a fine Georgian terrace. It also has a number of good restaurants.
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[edit] History
The name is from the Old Norse Strangrfjörthr, ie Sea Inlet. The Vikings called it ’violent fjord’.
[edit] The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Strangford, which includes a list of incidents in Strangford during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
[edit] Places of interest
- Strangford Castle, located near the harbour in Strangford, is a 16th century tower-house with drop hole at roof level to defend the door.
- One mile north-west of Strangford on a rocky height overlooking Strangford Lough is Audley's Castle, a small gatehouse type tower house with part of an enclosing bawn built in the 15th century.
- 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 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford.