Great Days Out for Groups - Discover Northern Ireland

GARDENS • CULTURE • LITERATURE • LOCAL History • MYTHS & LEGENDS • HeritaGE • CHRISTIAN HERITAGE • CREATIVE • NATURE • ACT I VEFair Fa’ Ye Tae The AirdsEnjoy a day out in the Ards Borough learning about the Ulster-Scots influences which havehelped to shape towns and landscapes here over the last 400 years.Start your visit at Newtownards Priory 1, a Dominican friary founded in 1244 and learnabout the first Scots settlers, James Hamilton and Hugh Montgomery and their influenceon the area. At Grey Abbey 2, discover the oldest example of Gothic architecture in Ireland.The Abbey ruins were acquired by the Montgomery’s, who still live in the grounds, in the17th century.Next, visit Grey Abbey House 3, built in 1762, the present house is considered to beone of the finest Georgian country houses in Ireland. The fabulous gardens include awalled kitchen garden and Irish apple orchard. A lunch stop in the village of Greyabbey isrecommended.After lunch, travel through the villages of the Ards Peninsula to learn more about the firstsettlers and their townlands. This includes Carrowdore, Ballyfrenis, Millisle and Donaghadee.In Donaghadee, which was the landing point for the first Scots settlers, be sure to view theharbour built by Montgomery and the Manor House. Perhaps stop for coffee in Donaghadee.Next travel to Newtownards, calling at Movilla Abbey 4, one of the few buildingsstanding when the Scots arrived in 1606. Please wear suitable outdoor clothingand comfortable footwear.TO BOOK CONTACTArds Tourist Information Centre T: 028 9182 6846 E: tourism@ards-council.gov.ukVisit contactS1NEWTOWNARDSPRIORYCourt Street,Newtownards ,Co. Down, BT23 8YT.(028) 9181 14912Grey Abbey9-11 Church Street,Newtownards ,Co. Down.(028) 9181 14913Grey Abbey HouseGreyabbey,Co. Down .(028) 4278 86664Movilla AbbeyNewtownards,Co. Down.(028) 9181 1491WHILE YOU’RE in THE AREAEating Out - Café Manor; Donaghadee Garden Centre; The Wildfowler; Pier 36; Grace Neill’s.Retail therapy - Eden Pottery; Newtownards Town Centre; Ards Shopping Centre.Extending your visit - Exploris; Castle Espie; Eden Pottery; Be Creative Studio.your day outAt a glanceGroup size6-7HOURS10-20min-max124For additional information and more group day visit ideas, please visitdiscovernorthernireland.com/groupsMovilla Abbey