Strangford Lough (Loch Cuan in Irish)

It is a popular tourist attraction noted for its fishing and the picturesque villages and townships which border its waters.

Strangford Lough has been designated as Northern Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve. The Lough is huge, almost like an inland Sea, it is the largest Sea Lough in the British Isles covering 150 square Km in area, and over 30Km in length. It is no surprise then that the Lough supports an exceptional range of marine life. 2000 marine animals & plants have been recorded on Strangford Lough making it one of the richest marine environments in Britain.

Its character is equally variable. At times it has a peaceful, almost glass-like quality, echoing its Celtic name, Cuan - `the quiet lough'; on other occasions, its dark waves and powerful tidal currents fully justify its Viking name, Strangford - `the strong fiord.'

350 million cubic metres of water flow in & out of Strangford twice daily, creating an intensive tide of 8 knots. With these strong tidal currents in the Narrows it exposes bedrock covered by filter feeding animals such as elephants ear sponge, hydroids, sea-anemones & soft corals. Dense forests of kelp and seaweed also grow here, creating a wonderful habitat for Seatrout. The rich marine environment ensures these fish have a quick growth rate.

This beautiful and rugged landscape is only 13 miles from Belfast City Centre.

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The Vikings in Ireland

As Scandinavia was becoming increasing over populated the Vikings found a need to discover new land and create settlements with Ireland being one of them. The Vikings heard of the riches that Irish monasteries held and knew only too well that Ireland was a prime location for the Viking people.

The first recorded Viking raids were in 795 AD, when Rathlin and Lambay islands were attacked; the monasteries of Bangor and Downpatrick were plundered soon afterwards. The assaults on Iona were so frequent and devastating that the whole community moved to Meath to build a new monastery at Kells, completed in 814.

Strangford got its name from the Vikings (strang-fjord) over 1000 years ago.

Stephen Kennedy
NAGC. GAIC
Pikestone Cottage
40 Scaddy Road
Downpatrick
Co. Down
BT30 9BP
Tel: 02844 828346
Mob. 07740609669
Fax: 44828346/90425921

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