Down Echoes - News, Events & Community

24/02/2025

18/02/2025

🌟𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗿

This week, we're shining a light on The Cookie Jar, a family-run gem in the heart of County Down. Known for their artisan breads and pastries, they've been serving our community with delicious baked goods for over 20 years. 🥖🥐

Have you tried their famous sourdough or the delectable raspberry tarts?

Share your favorite treats in the comments! Let's support local businesses that make our community special. 💚

📍 Location: 121 Main Street, Newcastle, County Down

17/02/2025

🏞️ County Down's Hidden Gems: What's Your Favorite Lesser-Known Spot? 🏞️

We all know the popular attractions, but what's a hidden gem in County Down that you think deserves more attention?

❤️ Kearney Village – A picturesque, preserved fishing village with coastal views.

👍 Ballycopeland Windmill – The last remaining windmill in East Down, beautifully restored.

😮 Nendrum Monastic Site – Ancient ruins on Mahee Island with a serene atmosphere.

🌿 Killard Nature Reserve Walk – A peaceful coastal walk with wildflowers, wildlife, and stunning sea views. 🌊🌸

Or do you have another favourite? Share your hidden gems in the comments! Let's uncover the best of County Down together. 🌟👇

14/02/2025

🎉 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱! 🎉

Looking for plans? Check out these local events:

1. 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮

📅 Date & Time: Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, 2025

📍 Location: The Café at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

👯‍♀️ Details: Celebrate friendship with a delightful afternoon tea featuring sweet and savory treats in the elegant setting of Montalto Estate. Perfect for a ladies' day out!

🔗 More Information & Booking: https://visitbelfast.com/event/afternoon-tea-tour-in-montalto-house/

2. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, February 15, 2025

📍 Location: Meelmore Lodge, Newcastle

🧭 Details: Enhance your outdoor adventures by learning essential navigation and hill skills in the Mourne Mountains. This course is suitable for beginners and covers map reading, compass use, and safety tips.

🔗 More Information & Booking: https://www.geologyrocksat.com/intro-to-navigation-hill-skills

Perfect for the beginner navigator, keen to learn how to be safe in the hills. Set in Meelmore Lodge, Mourne Mountains, this is full day of map theory and lots of on the hill practical learning.

12/02/2025

🕰️ If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? 🍽️🤔

10/02/2025

🍽️ County Down's Ultimate Breakfast Debate 🍽️

We need to settle this once and for all… What’s the BEST breakfast option in County Down?

❤️ The Classic Ulster Fry – Fried soda bread, potato bread, eggs, bacon, and sausages! 🍳🥓
👍 Comber Potato Boxty – A delicious, crispy potato pancake! 🥔🔥
😮 Traditional Porridge with Irish Honey – Healthy, hearty, and warming! 🍯🥣
😂 The Breakfast Bap – A quick, filling bite with all the trimmings in a bap! 🥪😋

Or do you have a secret favourite breakfast? Comment below and let us know! 👇🍽️

07/02/2025

🎉 What’s On in County Down This Weekend? (Feb 7-9) 🎉

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered with some great events happening across County Down! 👇

🎭 Colin Murphy: Murphy Beaucoup! (Comedy Night)

📅 Friday, Feb 7, 8:00 PM
📍 Portico Arts & Heritage Centre, Portaferry
😂 Fancy a night of top-class comedy?

Colin Murphy is bringing his legendary stand-up tour to Portaferry, serving up sharp wit and non-stop laughs. If you love The Blame Game, you’ll love this!

🎟 Book your tickets here: Portico of Ards

🎶 Live Music: The Emerald Folk Band
📅 Saturday, Feb 8, 9:00 PM
📍 The Auld House, Moneyreagh
🍻 Get ready for a night of lively Irish folk music!

The Emerald Folk Band will be filling The Auld House with classic tunes, great craic, and a buzzing atmosphere. Don’t miss out!

📌 More event details here: The Auld House page

🌟 Know of any other events happening in County Down this weekend? Drop them in the comments! Let’s keep our community in the loop! 📣👇

05/02/2025

💬 Drop your answers below! Let’s hear the best ones! 👇😂

03/02/2025

"🏞️ County Down Bucket List: What's Your Top Pick? 🏞️

If you could recommend one must-visit spot in County Down to a newcomer, which would it be?

❤️ Tollymore Forest Park – Majestic woodlands and scenic trails

👍 Mount Stewart House and Gardens – Historic estate with stunning gardens

😮 Mourne Mountains – Breathtaking peaks and hiking adventures

😂 Strangford Lough – Serene waters and abundant wildlife

Or do you have another favorite? Share your recommendations and hidden gems in the comments! Let's help everyone discover the beauty of County Down. 🌄👇"

31/01/2025

🎉 What's Happening in County Down This Weekend! 🎉

Looking for plans? Check out these local events:

1. Brigid: The Original Social Influencer at The Court House

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM

📍 Location: The Court House, Bangor

Explore the legacy of Saint Brigid in this engaging talk, delving into her influence on Irish culture and society. Tickets and more information available at The Court House Events.

2. Winter Wildlife Walk at Castle Espie Wetland Centre

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM

📍 Location: Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber

Join a guided tour to discover the rich birdlife and wintering wildfowl in their natural habitat. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.

3. Traditional Music Session at The Dirty Duck Alehouse

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM

📍 Location: The Dirty Duck Alehouse, Holywood

Enjoy an evening of live traditional Irish music by local musicians. Great craic guaranteed!

For more events and details, visit Discover Northern Ireland's County Down Events.

Have an event to share? Drop the details in the comments below! Let's keep our community informed and connected. 📣👇

23/01/2025

Hope everyone takes care and stays safe.

The entire island of Ireland is now under red warnings, which are the highest level of alert.

31/12/2024

🎆✨ 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻! ✨🎆

As the clock strikes midnight, we’re not just celebrating a new year—we’re also celebrating the 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘀! 🎉

We’re thrilled to kick off 2025 with you, bringing the latest news, exciting events, and special moments from across County Down straight to your feed. This is YOUR space to stay connected with everything happening in our amazing community. 💚

💬 𝗪𝗲’𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

What are you looking forward to in County Down this year? 🗓️
Got a New Year’s resolution you’d like to share? 🌟

🎉 Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get all the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox! 📩

https://downechoes.com/latest

Let’s make this the start of something incredible together. Here’s to a year of building connections, celebrating local life, and making memories that matter. Cheers to 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱! 🥂🎇

05/12/2024

🎅✨ Christmas Spirit at The Barn Bar & Country Kitchen Tonight! ✨🎅

It’s time to get festive, County Down! 🎄 The Barn Bar & Country Kitchen is kicking off the Christmas season tonight, and everyone’s invited to join in the fun.

🎶 Expect a fantastic atmosphere, great food, and drinks to keep the holiday cheer flowing. Plus, the Big Man himself is making a special appearance! 🎁

🎉 Don’t miss out—it’s always a night to remember. Come along and celebrate Christmas in County Down! 🌟

📍 The Barn Bar & Country Kitchen, 37A Mearne Rd, Saul, Downpatrick BT30 6SY
⏰ Shuttle Bus from Saul GAC 1820

Tag your friends and make it a festive evening to remember! 🎄✨

Our annual light switch on is this coming Thursday. There will be a shuttle bus running from 6.30pm from Saul GAC. Santa will be here from 7.20pm, to switch on the lights at 7.30pm. There will be treats for the kids, hotdogs & mulled wine, as well as music from C&L Disco Roadshow. All welcome.

20/11/2024

Beautiful winter scenes in the Mournes this week. I'm sure some will be hoping it stays in the mountains 🥶