It’s good to live in a place that actually gives you pleasure.   Somewhere where there is space, scenery and clean air; somewhere good for the soul.   As I said in the last (tangential) piece, ours lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, at the end of a short wooded glen near our home.   Officially the whole walk is 16 miles in length, from Holywood to Donaghadee (or vice versa).   The Walk Ni site has details of this and a load of other good walks province wide: http://www.walkni.com/walks/2/north-down-coastal-path/ It's hard to beat a good sunset.  This is looking West, towards Belfast further up the lough. It is pretty much all good, with only a few short sections on road.   The vast majority is paved, although a few sections are narrow where the path rounds a rocky headland or two.   There are also a few sandy beaches to cross.   That said, since it is at sea level, there are no major hills unless walkers get side-tracked along the w...

This post was shamelessly copied from a local history book, now out of print, that used to be available in pdf format on line.     It is only one section of a much larger and more broadly based book.  All credit is then due to the book's author, and to the team who originally published it.  Trinity College, Dublin have now scanned an published a host of records from the 1641 rebellion.  More details relating to the numerous massacres and other events from the this rebellion can be seen here: https://1641.tcd.ie/ Those who have travelled the main road between Bangor and Belfast will know the corner known as ‘the Devil’s Elbow’, which is located just before the junction leading to Seahill/ Rockport.   On the left side of the road when travelling from Bangor there is a small road leading up into the Holywood hills.   It is now called Carney Hill, but according to this article that name derives from Carnage Hill.   To see where it got this ...