Donaghadee: the Light of the Northern Coast

Donaghadee is a growing town on the northern coast of County Down, six miles from the historic town of Bangor and approximately 20 miles east of Belfast. It lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula. With a population of about 8,000 inhabitants, Donaghadee is the closest point to Scotland, so close in fact, that the Scottish coast is visible to the naked eye on clear days. The town offers a rich history, having been one of the main ports of entry to the island of Ireland until the 19^th Century. It is probably best known for its lighthouse and harbour, which has been a haven for ships for centuries. The harbour has been there since at least the 17th century. Aside from the historical buildings reflecting its rich heritage, the town has a picturesque seafront and a wide range of cafes and restaurants. Among these is Grace Neill's, which opened in 1611 as the 'King's Arms' and claims to be the oldest pub on the island of Ireland, a record officially held by Sean's Bar in the Republic of Ireland.

The other reason Donaghadee may be famous is because of the Donaghadee Male Voice Choir. It was founded in 1932 and began as a small local chorus performing in churches and other local functions. Since then, the Choir has developed and flourished and today is an internationally known Choir having performed on stage, radio and television in the USA and Canada, among other international locations. With a membership of around 70 and a repertoire which embraces both secular and sacred music and ranges from folk and traditional songs to choral favorites and operativ works, it is something not to be missed while visiting Ireland.