Down County Museum Rolls out Guided Bus Tours for August

From the Mound of Down to the Greyabbey Bay mudflats, Lecale and the Ards peninsula is rich with archaeological and ecclesiastical sites that are waiting to be explored. Join Down County Museum on two fascinating, guided bus tours this August, to unearth a number of historical sites.

Newry. Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, "These tours provide local people and visitors with the opportunity to find out more about the pre-Christian, Early Christian and medieval history of the area.  The tours are also a great way of visiting a number of fascinating sites in the company of an expert guide who will explain their history in detail and bring to life the stories of the people associated with them.”

Some of the locations tourists will be exploring on Saturday 18 August include Greyabbey Bay mudflats, where they will see fish traps and a log boat and the Cistercian abbey at Greyabbey which was established in the late twelfth century by Affreca, wife of the Norman leader John De Courcy.  This is one of the most interesting medieval sites in County Down and is sure to be a popular tour. On the return journey the visit will take in Ardkeen church and motte.

Sacred and secular County Down will be explored in a guided bus tour of sites on Saturday 25 August, including the Mound of Down, Inch Abbey, Nendrum monastery and Tullynakill Church. Nendrum is one of the best preserved early monasteries in Ireland and boasts the earliest tidal mill known in the world. These sites are among the most interesting historical sites in the region and provide a wealth of information on life in the past.

The tours cost just £20 each and participants should bring along a picnic lunch. Both tours will depart from Down County Museum at 9.30am and return at 5pm. To pre-book, please contact Down County Museum on 028 4461 5218.