Tourism is the most significant opportunity for Downs Economic future and culture and creativity are the District's key strengths. Down District is currently 3^rd top Tourist Destination in Northern Ireland and earns over £50M in revenue, attracting over 500,000 bed nights.

Therefore, the focus of the local Down District Council is based on facilitating the growth of indigenous new businesses, including tourism based businesses. Thanks to the Tourism & Economic Development unit of Council for the following;

"Only one County can claim to have everything you'd expect to find in all Ireland. County Down and its breadth of coastlines, mountains, drumlins and loughs can rightly claim to be home to just about every aspect of Irish living. Breath-taking scenery, traditional Irish music, ancient Celtic heritage, antique cottages for holiday rent and some of the best golf courses in the world.

Whether the pleasures of nature at it gentlest in Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh or at its most elegant in the grounds of stately Castle Ward, the hills and loughs of Down district are alive with flora, fauna, vistas and history.

At the very heart of Down District is Downpatrick, the elegant town and ancient city, which lies within minutes of all the county's attractions. The Mournes (an Area of Outstanding National Beauty) are only 20 minutes south, whilst Strangford Lough (an Area of Special Scientific Interest) is barely 20 minutes east and the wild highlands of Slieve Croob a few minutes' drive west., but Down is also blessed with great beaches and shorelines.

Northern Ireland's favourite seaside resort, Newcastle, provides a beach fronted heaven for young families. The Tropicana Fun Pool is possibly the best place to visit in Newcastle if waterborne excitement is what your kids enjoy most! For the golfer, Down has an abundance of Golf Courses, with Ardglass, Spa, and Downpatrick whilst Royal County Down Golf Course, Newcastle is accredited as being one of the finest links courses in the world.

For quieter and more reflective moments, Down County Museum in Downpatrick unravels the story of Down's most famous resident, St Patrick. The fully restored 17^th century gaol houses wonderful exhibitions dedicated to the greatest Irishman who ever lived, and innovative education programmes are delivered. Situated nearby is Down Cathedral an early Benedictine Monastery built initially in 1183 and located within the graveyard adjacent to the Cathedral is the reputed grave of Ireland's Patron Saint Patrick. Situated below "Patricius's" reputed burial site The Saint Patrick Centre's interactive exhibition presents an authentic view of the Saint through his own words. The Centre is open all year round and includes Down Tourist Information Centre.

If the idea of galloping on horseback at the water's edge along seemingly endless beaches is irresistible, the Blue Flag award-winning Tyrella Beach and Strand and Dundrum Bay's golden sands hold no parallel. But should you want to go more gently then nothing will sway you from Down District's famous Walking Networks. There are three walking festivals in the area and these are celebrated along some of the loveliest coastal, lowland and mountain walks in Ireland. Tollymore Forest Park, for instance, provides a wealth of walks and bridle paths which can take the visitor deep into the woods and also a place to camp for the night, whilst Castlewellan Forest Park, home of the world famous Arboretum, now hosts the record breaking Peace Maze, the largest of its kind in the World.

The choice of accommodation is very wide. Beautifully appointed self-catering cottages set in rural splendour, campsites, charming farmhouses and full three-star luxury hotels all provide quality, cleanliness and a friendly welcome.

The network of award winning Tourist Information Centres based in Newcastle and Downpatrick can make all the necessary reservations and bookings as well as provide the visitor with a wealth of information on the many events Down District is famed for, an exciting Summer Programme, Opera Fringe, Downpatrick and Celtic Fusion, a major arts and cultural festival, and Christkindl Markets based on the style of many European Christmas themes.

For further information contact Down Tourist Information Centres on 028 437 22222, 028 44 612233 or Down Tourist Development 028 44610856