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The N. Ireland Guide to Pubs of Interest.
Co. DOWN

(My favourites seem to be in county Down, so this might take a little longer to load).
* - pubs with real ale.

The Hillside *
21 Main Street, Hillsborough, BT26 6AE.
(028) 9268 2765.
Believed to be older than 1771, the pub has a traditional, small front room and serving bar with an open fire. The back lounge (with a roaring fie to be aware of) extends into a bistro style lounge and an upstairs restaurant with a fine vaulted, tongue in groove ceiling. The new owners have a right to be proud of the fine cask ales sold to compliment a superb selection of great food. Annual well attended beer festivals.
(CAMRA "Pub of the Year" award winner).

NEWS: The Carmichael Group portfolio of six pubs has been sold, ex-market. Let's hope the new owners keep the ale in supply!

The Plough
3 The Square, Hillsborough, BT26 6AG.
(028) 9068 2985 - FAX (028) 9068 9858.
Dating from 1700, with timbers from a 16th. century church, this family pub is renown for the cuisine of Derek Patterson, a chef of remarkable talents and a world wide catering education. The front lounge is beamed and covered with brasses and memorabilia. There is a modernised upstairs bistro and a back restaurant. William Patterson takes care of the bar and the family run the famous "Hillsborough Oyster Festival" in aid of charity.
CAMRA "Pub of the Year" award winner.
Jameson Pub of the year 2004.

The White Horse *
49 Main Street, Saintfield, BT24 7AB.
(028) 9751 0417.
Although it is new, the bar holds an old flavour. Tastefully done in wood & bare brick with varnished wood floors. The old ground floor Bistro is now an extremely comfortable restaurant/lounge hosting occassional music. The toilets have been relocated. The upper floor has been opened to give a small but quiet lounge using stone walls and leaded windows. Five handpumps, great staff, great food. Worth seeking out.
Marksalehouse2004/5 award winner.

Lizzie Drakes
228 Moira Road, Lisburn.
(028) 9262 1538
Once the Maze Railway Hotel, an excellent venue for a quiet drink or a superb meal (make sure to be early as last meals are about 9.30). On the right hand side is a quiet little public bar with a real fire. To the rear is a lounge/restaurant and a long corridor to the toilets with some games machines.

To the left is the main lounge and eating area with comfortable seating. A real fire in a brick fireplace makes for a warm welcome on cold nights. There is a patio/yard with seating but is mainly storage. Music on Sundays. The owners, Malachy & Veronica (now retired but still to be seen) & son Connor, are friendly and so are the staff. Be careful crossing the road from the car park.
Winner of "MARKSALEHOUSE" award 2002/3 SEE IT.

Bob Stewart's Ballyaughlis. Just past the scenic Lady Dickson Park on the road from Belfast to Lisburn. Once a slightly disreputable country boozer for men, it has been turned into the ubiquitous spirit grocer. Excellent food and making a name for its quiz nights.
A good place to sit outside on a balmy summer evening after a walk in Dickson Park or through the lych-gate of the nearby church to the (supposedly) haunted graveyard. Friendly staff (stay away from Jack!), relaxing atmosphere.

Grace Neill's
33 High Street, Donaghadee.
(028) 9188 2553
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?.
This is one of the "Famous Pubs Trail".
James Joyce Award plaque on being an authentic Irish pub.
WEB SITE - http://www.graceneills.com/
EMAIL - info@graceneills.com

The Old Inn Crawfordsburn. BT19 1JH. (028) 9285 3255 - FAX (028) 9285 2775. E-mail: info@theoldinn.com http://www.theoldinn.com 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 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 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
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
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.

The Buck's Head
Dundrum.
(028) 4375 1868
This pub/restaurant has been here many years and has had many owners. What has never changed is the quality of the food and the relaxed feeling in the bar or the large back garden. A stop-over for bus tours and family outings at the edge of the main road. Yet, upon entering, the traffic noise disappears and it is easy to linger over a good meal.

The Maghera Inn
Maghera village.
(028) 4472 2236
Taken over and refurbished, it has lost its advertising as the "perfect little country pub". A friendly pub serving home cooked meals for families. It is not far from the local riding stables and Tullymore and Castlewellan Forests. You might even bump into the famous Bernard & Kerry Sloan from Whitewater. Just be careful coming out as it is situated on a blind bend. The lounge has been extended into a large restaurant and some of the flavour has left the place.

The Esplanade Bars *
12 Ballyholme Esplanade, Bangor, BT10 5LZ.
(028) 9127 0954 - FAX (028) 9146 3883
Situated at the far end of Ballyholme Bay, the Esplanade has a relaxing lounge bar to the front, edging onto a patio (no children after 8.00, but has a child changing facility) that overlooks the full stretch of the bay. A back bar through the off license at the side and The Gryphon Restaurant upstairs. Good food, cask ale (also special bottled beers) and friendly staff. Can get very busy but well worth seeking out.

Revivals Restaurant
41 Old Coach Road, Hillsborough
(028) 9268 9624 - FAX (028) 9268 9633.
Off the beaten track along a narrow country lane (at the top of the hill) but well worth finding. Excellent atmosphere, extremely friendly staff and food your taste buds would kill for. Not to be missed. Try the Asian beers.

Jenny Watts
High Street, Bangor.
(028 9127 0401)
One of Bangor's oldest pubs (around 1780 and once "The Old House at Home") this is a great place to go for a Sunday brunch & jazz session. Enjoyable pages from old PTQ magazines. Excellent food. Hot summer days can be enjoyed on the patio. (Children welcome). Parking at rear. Once served cask ale and hopefully it will return.

The Dufferin Arms
Killyleagh.
(028) 4482 1182
Originally a large coaching house, it was split up and part of the establishment was owned by the Ulster Bank (the original window is still there). The current owners bought the premises from the bank and still retain the window and vault. The rooms are small and can be described as a "plethora". So many rooms and corridors, each with its own history. Special bottled beers available.

The downstairs restaurant (with its own minute dumb waiter) leads into the old stables area (now covered) via huge sliding doors. Excellent food and accommodation. Upstairs, little has changed in years and there is a friendly atmosphere. The main bar is coming down with old bottles and memorabilia.

The Cuan
The Square, Strangford.
(028) 4488 1222
Right beside the ferry landing, the Cuan offers great food in a relaxed family atmosphere. It has nine en-suite rooms (including two family rooms) in case you want to prolong your visit. Special bottled beers available.

The Lobster Pot
9-11 The Square, Strangford.
(028) 4488 1288
Across the village green, opposite the ferry landing. Visit the Lobster Pot for great food in a relaxing manor whether in the bar, restaurant or the beer garden at the back. Special bottled beers available.

The Auld House
21 Church Road, Moneyreagh.
(028) 9044 8446
(028) 9044 8133 (F)
Consisting of a public bar with a tiled floor and pool table, an off license and a large restaurant where the food is good and the staff friendly. The restaurant has small bay windows, a monogrammed carpet, interesting pictures and bric-a-brac. Mirrored pillars and leaded glass panels brighten the room. A children's menu is available.

Lisbarnett House
Lisbane, Killinchy
(028) 9754 (T)
(028) 9754 1631 (F)
07860 780660 (M)
E-mail: richard_lisbarnett@hotmail.com

A small traditional public bar with tiled floor, panelled walls and a large collection of water jugs, glasses and local memorabilia. A pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. To one side is a small intimate restaurant with small fire and old fashioned ceiling rose. At the other side is a long comfortable lounge with fire, panelled walls and pictures of motor racing and local themes. It leads past the off license to the rear conservatory restaurant. This has a low wooden ceiling with half height wooden panelled walls, tiled floor and lots of sailing themed pictures. It overlooks the walled patio. Special bottled beers not now available, but here's hoping they come back soon. The staff are attentive and friendly and use customer feedback forms. Entertainment is Irish music and quiz nights.

The Saltwater Brig 43 Rowreagh Road, Kircubbin (028) 42738435 About 2 miles south of Kircubbin. The front lounge is comfortable, old fashioned with tiled floor, stone walls and a fireplace. There is a large fish tank which can be seen in the back lounge/bar as well. This lounge has a high angled ceiling.
The electric dormer windows make it well lit. It has a nautical theme, water colours, carpeted floor and comfortable seating. It leads onto a large beer garden at the back. The food is good and the staff pleasant. Note the interesting mobile (art) behind the bar.

	The Slip Inn 1 The Strand, Portaferry (028) 4272 8338 An old fashioned street corner pub overlooking the harbour. Split level bar/lounge. Tiled floor & wooden ceiling. The bar is brick with a wooden knee guard. Local pictures and bar humour plaques adorn the walls. High bar stools, low comfortable seating & tables. Real fire in a brick fireplace at back.
Long narrow side lounge with plastered walls and ceiling. Games room upstairs (gets noisy).

Savage's Bar
Castlewellan
(028)
The building was originally built for the King family and the name can still be seen engraved on the stone below the main window. It has been in the Savage family since 1910. The shop next door has now become a new lounge and they hope to buy the next door premise and open a beer garden. The bar has a red tiled floor, decorated wood ceiling wood walls an old bar back and a mirror insured for £10,000. They used to do their own bottling, including whisky and rum. No food. Traditional Irish music every second Friday.

Fountain Bar
Catlewellan
(028)
Imposing granite stone exterior with part frosted glass windows, narrow half doors and door headstone dating to 1906. The inside has a high decorated wood ceiling supported by two ornate cast iron pillars set on a marble chip floor. Large decorous bar back. No food, Traditional Irish music.

The Mourneview Bar (Doran's)
Hilltown
(028)
Old fashioned small and narrow bar with concrete floor and wood panel bar. Original narrow bar shelving on a plain wall. Original lounge still using serving hatch. Lacquered painting over fireplace done by local artist. Windows still have the bullet proof metal shields. A funeral director business and the pub itself are run by the mother. Open 7-11.

Mary Margaret's (McEvoy's)
Hilltown
(028)
Untouched and typical country bar, it has a an unusual plain wood horseshoe shaped bar with a central cast iron pillar supporting a wood ceiling and set on a patterned tile floor. Small bar back with integral mirror. Real fire in an original slate fireplace. Lovely wood panel carved by a local man. Run by a very friendly family. No TV. Worth seeking out for a friendly welcome from the family.

Clonduff Bar (Lowry's)
Hilltown
(028)
Old fashioned traditional town pub with tile floor, half height tongue and groove ceiling. It has an unchanged side lounge with tile floor, real fire in a 60's style fireplace. The gents is outside across the yard, which sports a wall mural and lots of flowers. No TV. Friendly atmosphere.

Old Commercial)
Ardglass
(028)
Small town bar with wood ceiling and tile floor. The tongue and groove bar has three full wood casks. Seating has wood panel backs. A mosaic tiled floor leads to the unspoilt back lounge with its beaten copper canopy fire and the glass covered "Mulherron's Well which is floodlit and has a brass pump for tasting the water - ask for details. Very friendly.

Has the James Joyce Award plaque on being an authentic Irish pub.

Mulherron's Well
The floodlit well.

Enniskeen Hotel
Bryansburn Rd, Newcastle
(028)
Old style opulence and a relaxed atmosphere, the hotel is set off the road in its own extensive grounds with a great view of the nearby Mournes. Original wood panelling and fireplaces. Great for afternoon tea, especially after a walk in Tullymore Forest just up the road. Friendly staff. Nice understairs open lounge. Good food.

Wetherspoon's
Newtownards.
SEE THE WETHERSPOON'S PAGE

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