Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Ulster-Scots Agency have recently launched a new booklet, “Ulster-Scots Heritage in Ards and North Down”, to recognise the areas rich history and the huge impact left on the Borough by the Ulster-Scots through the centuries.

The booklet takes the reader from Holywood through Bangor and on to the peninsula villages past Portaferry and back up through Greyabbey to Newtownards. The visitor will travel through villages developed throughout the 1600’s under the settlements of Sir James Hamilton and Sir Hugh Montgomery.

Throughout, it looks at the influence the Scottish settlers had and how they shaped the area as they developed it over the years. Influences including architecture, such as Tower House in Bangor, the oldest building in public use in Ireland and built by Sir James Hamilton in 1637. The importance of trade and the Market Cross in Newtownards dating from when Sir Hugh Montgomery established a thriving market in the town. Villages such as Groomsport and their religious history with the departure of the ill-fated “Eagle Wing” ship attempting to carry Presbyterians from persecution to a new life in America in 1636 and Greyabbey which saw a Presbyterian Minister hanged for his part in the 1798 Rebellion.

“Over the last couple of years we are seeing more and more visitors, both domestic and North American with not only an interest in the general history and heritage of the area but specifically for that of the Scottish settlers that started to arrive in the early 1600’s and who would later leave for the United States and a new life. We are pleased now to have this booklet to give these visitors an additional tool as they explore the borough and our history”. Alex Irvine, Tourism Development Officer Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The “Ulster-Scots Heritage in Ards and North Down” booklet is a welcomed addition to the range of Ulster-Scots literature available.  This exciting booklet provides a fresh insight to the rich heritage of North Down and the Ards Peninsula and will be a valued resource to visitors and residents alike.  We hope that it will inspire people to explore the Ulster-Scots heritage of the area and we are delighted to have worked with Ards and North Down Borough Council on the project.  Ian Crozier, Chief Executive Ulster-Scots Agency.

The booklet is available for download from; visitardsandnorthdown.com, from local visitor information centres and points within the Borough or by calling Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 9127 0069 or Ards Visitor Information Centre 028 9182 6846.

Photo Caption: 

Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Ulster-Scots Agency have recently launched a new booklet, “Ulster-Scots Heritage in Ards and North Down”, to recognise the areas rich history and the huge impact left on the Borough by the Ulster-Scots through the centuries. Pictured with the new publication (from left to right) are, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, Catriona Holmes Ulster-Scots Agency and Alex Irvine, Tourism Development Officer for Ards and North Down Borough Council.