GREAT DRIVES COMBER TO DOWNPATRICK:All you need is a decent map to explore hidden treasures along the shores of Strangford Lough, writes BOB MONTGOMERY
FROM THE wild grandeur of Kerry that we explored in the last two columns to a landscape that could hardly be more different, the back roads that meander along the western shore of Lough Strangford.
This is an area of narrow side-roads with little traffic and ever-changing views across the lough. It’s also a very important wetland area whose salt marshes and reed beds are populated with Ireland’s largest collection of water birds.
We began our meander over this route by turning left as we left the town of Comber with its many associations with the famous Tourist Trophy races – part of the circuit ran through the town’s streets.
The road we took is just on the outskirts of the town on the A22 from Comber to Downpatrick. To maximize your enjoyment of today’s route I recommend arming yourself with the excellent Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland map Strangford Lough (sheet 21) as my intention is to take the roads that stay closest to the lough shore rather than a single road.
At first we followed the brown signs for Castle Espie and its Wetland Centre. This is soon reached and is well worth a diversion for an hour or two to see its award-winning eco-friendly visitor centre and to experience its restored lagoons, woodland walks, salt marshes and reed beds.
Apart from the water birds, there are otters, bats and dragonflies to be seen from the many hides and the restored Limekiln Observatory.
From Castle Espie, we travelled out the road that leads first to Reagh Island and then on to Mahee Island. Along most of its way this is a narrow road along a delightful shoreline.
Having reached the point where one can go no further along this route (the entrance to the golf club on Mahee Island), you should retrace the road back to the signpost for Whiterock.
The road now takes you through the tiny village of Tullynakill and the slightly larger Ardmillan before swinging to the northeast and back along the lough shore on the approach to the village of Whiterock – a busy leisure yachting centre.
From Whiterock take the road signposted for Killinchy but then take the first left turn to travel a narrow road that skirts Ballymorran Bay before winding its way to Ringhaddy and finally, via several possible diversions, back to the main A22 road north-west of Killyleagh. Mention should be made of the remains at Ringhaddy of a 12th century motte, a 13th century church and a 16th century castle.
Killyleagh is itself an interesting place with a Jacobean church and an impressive castle on a hill overlooking the town, and which has hosted occasional music concerts in its grounds.
Killyleagh has the distinction of being the birthplace, in 1666, of Sir Hans Sloane, whose immense collection formed the basis of the British Museum.
Another distinguished inhabitant of Killyleagh was a certain Dr Hicks, who became a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, before he was 21, and who was to become one of the most distinguished Egyptologists of his age. He is buried in Killyleagh graveyard.
From Killyleagh one can again follow close to the shoreline of Strangford Lough for short distances joined up by stretches of the A22. A feature of the lough here are the many islands, large and small, some of which are accessible by causeway. The final stretch of the A22 takes us to journey’s end at Downpatrick by a road shrouded in trees on the approach to Quoile Bridge just outside the town.
For once, this is a route to make up as you go along – my sole recommendations are to stay as close to the lough shore as you can, to take the aforementioned map to ensure you enjoy this most pleasant of landscapes at its best, and to find the many hidden places to be discovered along its narrow roads.
Next great drive: May 4th
Great Drives: 22 Great Irish Roadsby Bob Montgomery is published by Dreoilín
