Ardglass is among province’s best

Ardglass is among province’s best

16 March 2016

THE village of Ardglass is one of the best places to live in Northern Ireland according to the Sunday Times.

The picturesque village is included among a prestigious list of the best places to live alongside Hillsborough, Holywood and Castlerock. A total of five towns and villages in Northern Ireland have been singled out as “exceptional” places to live by the Sunday Times in a list published last weekend.

The national newspaper has compiled a UK-wide guide called the Best Places to Live in Britain.

It combines data and statistics such as crime rates, house prices and school performance with the local knowledge and expertise of Sunday Times writers to compile the definitive top locations to make your home.The north Antrim village of Ballycastle comes out on top for Northern Ireland.

According to the national Sunday newspaper “you get a bit of everything” in Ardglass with the village described as a “seaside resort, fishing harbour and boating club with a great little marina.” Predictably, golf is described as the village’s biggest draw, boasting views to the stunning Mournes and across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. The village’s attractive centre, which is a dedicated conservation area, is also singled out for praise.

Ardglass councillor, Dermot Curran, said the Sunday Times revelation confirms what local people have known for many years — there is simply no better village in Northern Ireland.

“The village is an oasis of calm and beauty along a magnificently beautiful and rugged coastline boasting stunning views,” he said.

The local politician also believes the publicity the Sunday Times guide will generate is good news for the village and hopes it will encourage Newry, Mourne and Down Council and a number of statutory organisations to invest more money in Ardglass.

“We have bed and breakfast accommodation, a wonderful golf course and picturesque harbour. We would all love to see more people coming to Ardglass, boosting the local economy, but I believe in order for this to happen we need more accommodation.”

Councillor Curran, who has been calling for new hotel development in the village, believes the Sunday Times article could act as a catalyst to provide exactly this.

“Investing money to enhance what already is a beautiful village and providing more accommodation will not only allow Ardglass to cater for more visitors, but provide additional jobs in the tourism sector,” he said.

Councillor Curran added: “I believe last weekend’s article provides a brilliant opportunity to develop Ardglass which many visitors find very striking and appealing. I have no doubt the Sunday Times article will have a positive impact and hopefully encourage more people to visit Ardglass.”