Recommended Pubs and Restaurants in County Down
There are a total of 28 premises in this area.
Grace Neill's
33 High Street, Donaghadee(028) 9188 2553 (T)
www.graceneills.com/ (W)
info@graceneills.com (E)
From the old world charm of the dark public bar (“Ireland’s Oldest Bar” according to the Guinness Book of Records) to the plush opulence of the airy Library lounge and on into the back restaurant or outside to the patio, there is something here for everyone. The front bar has a low wood ceiling and painted tiled floor. The bottom part of the counter itself is original. Two small lounges are to one side, now connecting, one with a TV.
Up four steps is the rear library lounge that has, as the name suggests, lots of books, comfortable seating, high ceilinged roof and sports a piano. Here too are the toilets, including an invalid toilet that is restricted by the steps from the bar. Note the Guinness labels, and be sure to read about the Beer Scooter and the famous Battle of the Copelands. The premise hosts quiz nights and live music. Parking is at the rear through a restricted passageway, so be careful. Thanks to Raymond for the tour and I must get back to sample the food, maybe even see the ghost?.
James Joyce Award plaque on being an authentic Irish pub.
The Old Inn
Crawfordsburn. BT19 1JH(028) 9285 3255 (T)
(028) 9285 2775 (F)
www.theoldinn.com (W)
info@theoldinn.com (E)
An excellent place to wine and dine after a drive around the coast or a visit to the local Country Park. Money permitting, a good place to stay as well - be it in the 4-poster bed (which I tried), the cottage or just a standard room.
Dating back to 1614 the hotel has had notables stay such as C.S. Lewis, George Bush, Peter the Great of Russia and Dick Turpin (we do not know if he treated Black Bess to an overnight stay). Nice staff - they do get trained well.
Daft Eddy's
Sketrick Island(028) 9754 1615 (T)
Relax with a good pint and some great food while looking at the picturesque view of Sketrick Castle and the yachts in the Whiterock marina. A busy place in the summer so book a table. The name comes from the illegitimate son of the Londonderry family at Strangford Lough.
He was left with a local family (Whites) where he grew up to work with smugglers. He died at their hands in a shoot out in Newtownards. He was always seen late at night with a lantern and the locals would say it "was only Daft Eddy". Spot the three windburned witches!
The North Down House
Belfast Road, Comber(028) 9187 2242 (T)
Hard to get parked nearby but worth the effort. Downstairs is old fashioned and the open games room at the back can be noisy. Bar can be very busy. The side lounge runs under the stairs and has lots of memorabilia, including Comber Whiskey. Upstairs is the T.T. (Tourist Trophy - an old motorcycle race) Lounge.
The Harbour House Inn
4 South Promenade, Newcastle(028) 4372 3535/3445 (T)
Situated at the far end of Newcastle, on a small cliff edge overlooking the old harbour (and next door to the local RNLI station, in case you topple into the sea?), the Harbour Inn is remembered by many people from the 60's when it was akin to a beirkeller but serving proper Guinness (single & double) against a backdrop of folk music.
Today it boasts a fine view of Murlough and Newcastle beaches, some 25 feet above the original owner's house, built in the mid 1800's. It now has accommodation and a good restaurant - The Stone Boat (from the commercial boats hauling the granite slabs that pave Belfast, London & Liverpool.