Quoile River - Downpatrick

Start : Down County Museum on English Street. (BT30 6AH)

(S/E) Starting at Down County Museum on English Street, turn left onto Mount Crescent and then after 100m, turn left (North-West) heading towards the Mound of Down, passing Downpatrick Primary School.

(1) Enter the Mound of Down site and keeping to the right of the Mound follow the path to the North.

(2) At the path junction, you can walk left (South) to the top of the mound, or exit right (North) onto a newly constructed path which leads onto Well Lane (adjacent to the sewage works).

(3) Turn right (East) onto Well Lane and taking extreme care, cross the Belfast Road close to the St Patrick’s sculpture.

(4) Once across the road, turn left (North-West) onto the Jane’s Shore path along the Quoile for approximately 1.2 Km until reaching the Old Belfast Road (A22).

Turn left (North-East) along the road.

(5) Once reaching the Quoile Bridge keep right (take care crossing the road) to join the path at the Quoile pondage. Follow the off-road path until reaching Steamboat Quay (930 m or so).

Just before arrived at Strangford Road you can do an extra 2 Km walk by continuing on the same path along the Quoile River. Once reaching the Steamboat Quay, you can either re-trace your steps along the path or at first car park come up onto Quay Road and once at the Quoile Countryside Centre take the steps down onto the Quoile path again and turn left. Retrace your steps back to Quoile Quay. At this point leave the riverside path and join the Quoile Road and turning left in the direction of Strangford Road.

(6) Turn right (South) onto the Strangford Road. Walk back towards Downpatrick, passing the cricket ground on the right-hand side.

After 1.5 Km, at the War Memorial turn left (South) onto New Bridge Street (A25), passing the roundabout at the junction with the Belfast Road. Continue onto the next junction.

(7) Take a right (South-West) turn onto Bridge Street. Follow the road passing Down High School and on to Irish Street, back where you started at the Museum. (S/E)

Start : Down County Museum on English Street. (BT30 6AH)

Driving to start : Downpatrick is about 20 miles southeast of Belfast on the A7. The Quoile Countryside Centre (BT30 7JB) is just off the main Downpatrick to Strangford road (A25) about one mile northeast of Downpatrick; it is well signposted. There is a free car park at the centre.

Parking : There is a free car park at the centre. Or at Downpatrick Court Office Parking, 21 English St, Downpatrick (BT30 6AD).

Terrain : Off road and on road sections

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Toilets and numerous cafes in Downpatrick. There is also a Tourist Information Centre in the St Patricks Centre off Market St. Toilets and interpretation in Quoile Visitor Centre – opening hours apply. The Centre is signed off the the Downpatrick to Strangford Rd.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.