Up to Strangford Lough, St. Patrick's entrance to Ireland.
Strangford Lough is the point at which Patrick entered Ireland in his youth, a slave of kidnappersScrabo Tower at Newtownards provides the best view of the loughThe tower is in Strabo Country Park, overlooking Newtownards and Strandford LoughMany years later, as a bishop educated in France, this is where Patick entered IrelandThe tower commands the area's highest elevationIt's a short walk via a trail from the carpark
It was built in 1857 in memory of the Third Marquess of LondonderryThe tower is 135 feet tallFrance's Napoleon III was one of the donors supporting its constructionMichael and Kevin MichaelOn the ground level there's a biodiversity educational displayLooking up the spiral staircase
Looking down the staircase; no lift hereFrom the tower at the upper end of the LoughView of the Lough framed by an open window from atop the towerLandmark permanent maps are mounted at the overlook pointsOn a clear day much of County Down is visible from hereSo is the coast of Scotland
...and Northern England...and the Isle of ManBiodiversity display for visiting regional school classes
Photos by Michael Kennedy

2002 Tour Journal | Tourism Index Page | Nanty Glo USA | Nantyglo-Blaina UK