Active Pursuits in Ards Peninsula
Cycling
The foothills of the Mournes around Castlewellan are ideal for cycling, with panoramic vistas and very little traffic. In these parts, the perfect year-round outfitter is Ross Cycles, 44 Clarkhill Rd. (028/4377-8029), signposted from the Clough-Castlewellan Road, .8km ([bf]1/2 mile) out of Castlewellan. The shop carries mountain bikes for the whole family, including children’s seats. You can park and ride, or request local delivery. Daily rates start at around £10, with family and weekly rates available.
Diving
The Ards Peninsula’s loughs and offshore waters are a diver’s dream—remarkably clear and littered with wrecks. One of Europe’s finest training centers, DV Diving, 138 Mount Stewart Rd., Newtownards, County Down (www.dvdiving.co.uk; 028/9186-1686), offers diving courses.
Fishing
For info, tackle, and bait, try the Village Tackle Shop, 55a Newtownbreda Rd., Belfast (www.villagetackleshopbelfast.co.uk; 028/9049-1916), or Kelly Hardware, 54 Market St., Downpatrick, County Down (www.kellyhardwaredownpatrick.co.uk; 028/4461-2193). Sea-fishing trips from Portaferry into the waters of Strangford Lough and along the County Down coast are organized by Norsemaid Sea Enterprises, 152 Portaferry Rd., Newtownards, County Down (www.salutay.co.uk; 078/3113-5298). Reservations are required. To outfit yourself and fish for rainbow trout year-round, visit Ballygrangee Trout Fishery, Mountstewart Road, Carrowdore, County Down (028/4278-8883).
Golf
Royal County Down ★, Newcastle, County Down (www.royalcountydown.org; 028/4372-3314), is nestled in huge sand dunes with the Mountains of Mourne in the background. This 18-hole, par-71 championship course was created in 1889 and is still considered to be among the best. Greens fees are £220 to £240, depending on the day and time of year. (In winter and early spring, prices drop to £85–£125.) Not too far away, the Kilkeel Golf Club, Mourne Park, Ballyardle, Kilkeel (www.kilkeelgolfclub.org; 028/4176-5095), is a beautiful parkland course on the historic Kilmorey Estate. Greens fees are around £20 to £35, less on Mondays and Wednesdays.
