Hear the gossip from medieval County Down and help shape a new trail!

Millions of people all over the world have been exposed to County Down’s incredible heritage for the first time thanks to the television phenomenon that is the Game of Thrones series. People are now flocking to Northern Ireland to Game of Thrones’ filming locations but most of them have no idea of the rivalries, marriages, battles and power struggles of the real families who built and lived in our castles, tower house and monasteries. Some of these...

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Office has now moved! As of the 1st November 2018 you can now find us at Downshire Civic Centre, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick BT30 6GQ

Please bear with us, if we are slow to respond to emails, while we get our IT systems up and running in our new home.

Unfortunately, our landline numbers will not be moving with us. To contact us please call mobile number ☎️ 07548159835 .

Sea Generation Ltd (SGL) will be working on SeaGen from 2nd August, raising the cross beam andpreparing SeaGen for Stage 1 Decommissioning works.Stage 1 decommissioning works are scheduled to be conducted from 6th to 18th August. Stage 1works comprise removal of; crossbeam, lift legs and topside. After Stage 1 decommissioning worksSeaGen will be left as shown in the figure below.SGL continues to work with the decommissioning contractor to conduct Stage 2 decommissioningworks between November 2018 and April 2019 comprising the main cut and lift of the remainingsuperstructure.

SLLP Coastal Guardians Project funded by Live Here Love Here Small Grant Scheme

Following on from the great success of our "extreme" clean-up of the Killough coastal path in 2017, we are back again with assistance from Live Here Love Here small grant to tackle marine litter and clean-up more of our shores. This time we are heading to the stretch of coast between Ballyhornan and Ardglass, The Sheepland Coast. This stunningly beautiful stretch of coast is very badly littered in places. Join us on...

Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership are inviting you to join us and help take part in a Big #ButterflyCount at Delamont Country Park.The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 by Butterfly Conservation and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. Over 60,000 people took part in 2017, submitting 62,500 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK.On Saturday 11th August we will be carrying...

Delamont Country Park

At last, those long Summer days have returned, why not spend them in the sunshine with lots of fresh air and fun at Delamont Country Park. Delamont is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough and is made up of 200 acres of open parkland and woodlands.

The Fabulous New Adventure Playground is suitable for all abilities from toddlers to teenagers, with aerial runways and challenging slides to be conquered.

We offer a family fun packed calendar of events during the summer season, so come along and enjoy an afternoon of Magical Storytelling...

Industry, landowners and farmers are being urged to take extra care during the summer months to protect our water from pollution.

Following the recent major fish kill on the River Callan in Armagh City, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has warned that lower water levels and warmer temperatures means our waterways and wildlife are more susceptible to pollution.

Tim Irwin, Head of NIEA’s Water Management Unit said: “Every living thing depends on water. It is a precious resource that is fundamental for our health, our environment and economy.

It's Swift Awareness Week! We are keen to know if you have seen swifts this year! We are particularly interested in Portaferry, Strangford and Downpatrick. Please report your sightings

The Common Swift (Apus apus)

How do you identify a swift?

Swifts are brown all over with a slightly paler throat, scythe shaped wings and no tail streamers. An urban summer visitor best seen at dusk in towns and cities with a distinctive loud screaming call. Swifts typically nest in holes and crevices of older buildings.

Fascinating fact: This amazing bird spends almost...

Bat surveying anyone?🦇

Daubenton's Bat Waterways Survey Workshop being run by Ards and North Down Borough Council in conjunction with Bat Conservation Ireland.

Litter Lift at Minerstown beach as part of Live Here Love Here Clean Coasts Week supported by Coca-Cola from the 1st June - 10th June  . It is a week of practical environmental action which takes place right across the North and South of the island and is an opportunity for volunteers to work together to help make our beaches and waterways beautiful. Last year, we joined forces with different community and sports groups throughout Northern Ireland and took part in different events to raise awareness and have a bit of fun, all while combating litter! Volunteers across the...

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today (April 2018) launched a public consultation on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland. The Marine Plan will facilitate the sustainable use of marine resources and the management of activities and uses from natural heritage to energy, aquaculture and tourism and recreation.

It builds upon the policy framework outlined in the UK Marine Policy Statement and will facilitate the integration of marine planning with land use planning....

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today launched a public consultation on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland.

The consultation provides a new planning approach that supports the sustainable management of the Northern Ireland marine area.  

The Marine Plan will facilitate the sustainable use of marine resources and the management of activities and uses from natural heritage to energy, aquaculture and tourism and recreation.

It builds upon...

Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme

The Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme takes a fresh approach to improving our local environment and building a sense of pride in our local communities.

Launched by Local Councils, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Choice Housing, McDonald's and Keep Northern Beautiful, the Small Grants Scheme provides support to volunteer projects that:

• Use innovative ways to reduce littering and dog fouling where you live.
• Improve the way your local environment is looked after, whether urban, rural or...