Discover Groomsport: Viking raiders, an Irish chieftain, Scottish settlers and Schomberg landing on his way to the Battle of the Boyne. The voyage of the Eagle Wing – the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folks to emigrate to America  – and landlords who kept changing their family name. All of these are aspects of Groomsport’s history which are covered by the tour. 

The tour included important buildings in the village, including the Coast Guard’s Watch House, the first lifeboat house in Belfast Lough and the fishermen’s cottages at Cockle Row. Grander buildings include Groomsport House and the two churches, which were all built in the 1840s.

Tours were held every Saturday afternoon in July and August and on the European Heritage Open Days in September.  You can read about the tours by clicking here. Now available is the self-guided tour; details are available by clicking here. However, if you would like to pick up your own map and tour, it is available from the railings at the side of Cockle Row.

The first walking tour was held on Saturday, 1st July, and despite the blustery weather, it was a success, as you can see from the photos below.