Guided coastal walks and coach tours in Ireland

Connecting you with local people and unique places through storytelling.

Guided tours with local Irish guide Brigid Watson

Travel back in time through the centuries as you journey around this ancient land, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the north eastern coast of Ireland, to see map click here. Known as the ‘Cradle of Christianity’ this long settled region has a treasure trove of historical sites and is a nature lovers’ paradise. We will take you on a tour that is engaging, entertaining and designed to match your interests and needs. You will have a restorative and relaxing experience as you choose whether to travel on foot or by coach or a combination of both.

A journey of discovery awaits you…

Walking Tours

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Coach Tours

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Welcome to the Strangford Lough Area

Explore on foot or by coach

Easily reached by coach, car, public transport or by boat.

Dublin Airport to Downpatrick – 90 minutes

Downpatrick to Portaferry – 20 minutes complete your journey using the regular ferry connection Strangford to Portaferry (a tourist attraction in itself) It runs every 30 minutes and the crossing takes less than 10 minutes) Coaches and cars are carried on the ferry.

Belfast to Portaferry – 60 minutes,
Belfast to Downpatrick – 30 minutes,
Belfast City Airport to Portaferry – 50 minutes
Belfast International Airport to Portaferry – 90 minutes

Meet your local tour guide
Brigid Watson

Welcome to the beautiful county of Down where you will experience warm Irish hospitality as you listen to the fascinating stories of the people and the place. I love ‘reading the landscape for people’ and I will give you ‘a sense of the place’ in an entertaining and informative way, enjoying some ‘craic’ along the way !! You will journey off the beaten track to fascinating sites which most tourists never see….slow down… drink in the beauty surrounding you…listen to the birdsong… reconnect with nature…. Enjoy life at a slower pace…in and around stunning Strangford Lough, St Patrick’s Country and the Ards Peninsula…..less than 60 minutes from Belfast and under 2 hours from Dublin.

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Introduction to the Ards Peninsula & Strangford Lough area

Strangford Lough is a wonderful national Marine Nature Reserve and the largest sea lough in these islands. It is home to a wealth of wildlife and there was great excitement in May 2020 when two killer whales were spotted in the lough. There are over 2,000 animal and plant species in and around the lough. It is a birdwatchers’ paradise.There are many drowned drumlins in Strangford Lough which today appear as islands in the lough.On the largest of these islands, Mahee, is the ancient monastic site of Nendrum. The earliest settlers arrived here up to 9,000 years ago and there is a rich history of settlement in this ancient eastern coastal area.

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Why Sustainable Journeys Ireland ?

Superior personal service
Flexible itineraries
Small group size

Sustainable tourism provider
Hidden gems off the beaten track
Assistance with family history research

Read what our clients are saying

Thanks for a fabulous tour, it was great to meet you and appreciate your passion for the Ards Peninsula. You were also so kind to provide elevenses in such a beautiful location. (at the picnic table at Kearney Irish Sea coastline)

Simon Calder TV Travel Correspondent for the BBC

“Just back from a fantastic day out on an Ards Peninsula tour. It was a very enjoyable day. Brigid Watson, our guide was excellent and very informative. I would recommend it to anyone. I discovered places I never knew existed and I have been for a drive around the Peninsula many times.”

Jacqui Armstrong