Skiffie Worlds 2016

We are very excited to be hosting the Skiffieworlds 25^th to 30^th July 2016 here in Strangford Lough Co Down, Northern Ireland, the event is...

Wonderful news! The beautiful tall ship Johanna Lucretia that arrived in for our Festival to Cook St Quay in Portaferry is offering sailing trips in the Lough on Friday (tomorrow), Saturday and Sunday.
This is a great opportunity but places are limited to twelve lucky people per sailing, so first come first served. Prices are £15 per adult and £10 per child under 15 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets are provided.
SAILINGS FROM COOK ST QUAY
Friday 12th June: embark 8:50am and disembark 10:50am
Saturday 13th June: embark 10:00am and...

Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland, has been selected as the venue for a major, international coastal rowing event, "Skiffieworlds 2016"; it was announced today, by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA). 800 competitors, some from as far away as the United States and Tasmania, and up to 60 boats, are expected to participate in these World Championships for the St Ayles' Skiff class of coastal rowing boat. The event will be hosted by the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP), working closely with the SCRA, and with the support of local councils and...

Strangford's rowing boat, "Strangfjorthr" won a prestigious, perpetual trophy at the Ocean to City, international coastal rowing race in Cork at the weekend for the best finished and most beautiful boat out of the 165 competitors. The 22 foot St Ayles' Skiff was built last year by and for the local community as part of the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership's coastal rowing initiative and she is the pride of the village. She was named by local schoolchildren.
The build team was led by local boat-builder, Jeremy Duffin, and his loving care and attention to detail shows in every...

Sea slugs are often called butterflies of the sea because of their fabulous shape and colour

Holding marine creatures, using an underwater spyball camera, squelching in the seaweed, and getting into a real marine laboratory are just some of the things you can do when our marine world is uncovered in Portaferry on Saturday 13th June.

Come Celebrate Portaferry's Wildlife and Built Heritage on 21 March
Hedgerows, woodland, sea shore and magnificent buildings are just some of the features of Portaferry's incredible heritage and on Saturday 21 March, St Mary's Primary school, in association with the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership is inviting everyone to get out and enjoy it.
The event will run from 11am to 3pm with lots of family activities. You can learn some bush skills with the National Trust at Nugent's Wood, plant some trees and get up close to marine beasties with Ulster Wildlife's Touch Tank at...

BBC Countryfile came to Ardglass to film the St Ayles skiffs that have been built in communities around the coast from Donaghadee to Dundrum, Helen Skelton was filmed rowing Kircubbin's Black Neb Vixen and helping with some boat building.  The programme will be going out on BBC 1 Sunday 15th of March 2015 18.50 make sure you watch.  

Could you be a Maritime Heritage Guide?

County Down needs more heritage guides and now you can get free training with recognised qualifications and lots of support to share your interest in our maritime history, wildlife, buildings and special sites and perhaps set up a part-time business. Even if you would just like to give tours and presentations for your community, your school or other groups, this short Maritime Heritage Guide course will help you to build up your knowledge and stories and also give you the techniques, confidence and practical skills to lead a group as well...

Farmers and landowners invited to participate in
townlands and gateways project

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership are restoring tradition gateways as part of our townlands and gateways project and are asking local farmers and landowners to get involved. We restore sets of traditional gates and stone gateposts at no cost to the farmer. Through this work we hope to provide opportunities for local people to find out more about traditional farm practices and built heritage on their land. We have already...

St. Ayles Skiff Race

Dundrum 27 December 2014

Weather permitting, on 27 December, when at least a partial recovery will have been achieved from the indulgences of...