Donaghadee
Donaghadee is a small seaside town, 29km from Belfast. named from the Irish Domhnach Daoi, meaning Church of the Motte, probably named for a Motte and Bailey built by the Normans in the 12th Century.
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It started to grow as a small town in the 17th Century when settled by Scottish Presbyterians.
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The town was known for being the departure point for Irish couples eloping to Scotland on the ferry to Portpatrick in the 18th and 19th century.
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The town is dominated by a castle looking down from the hill. However this is a 19th century folly and also known for it's lighthouse at the harbour entrance.
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It's also one of the few remaining places in Ulster where you can use a free and well maintained public toilet.
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There's a plate erected on the harbour wall to the memory of the passengers of the MV Princess Victoria, which sank in the Irish Sea in a storm in 1953. Despite the best efforts of the Donaghadee lifeboat, most of the passengers perished.
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Adventurer Bear Grylls is probably Donaghadee's most famous son. His grand mother was the local MP, taking the seat when her father perished in the Princess Victoria disaster previously mentioned.
Grace Neills
33 High Street, Donaghadee, BT21 0AH
Tel: 028 9188 4595.....EMail
Getting here from Belfast
31k - A 40 minute drive through Bangor on the A2 mostly coast road
By Bus: 3 {3a} To Bangor last bus Saturday 10:25pm, Sunday 5:45pm
7 {507} to Belfast Saturday 7:50pm, Sunday 1:10pm
7 {507} to Newtownards Saturday 7:50pm, Sunday 7:40pm
7 {507} To Ballwalter Saturday 9:50pm, Sunday 4.30pm
7 {507} To Millisle Saturday 9:50pm, Sunday 7:15pm
By Train: Donaghadee had a train station, located where the Meadowbank Service Club is toady, which sadly closed in 1951. The nearest train station is 9km away in Bangor
Checklist
Parking: The pub has it's own car park with around 20 spaces.
Establishment type: Claims to be Ireland's oldest pub [dubious]
Situation: Paved courtyard, with picnic benches, bench seating, a raised table and standing shelves
Features: Outdoor bar, TV, Music, Large open fire, Patio heating, Outdoor food {5 on score on the doors}
Ambience: A small courtyard that has been fenced off from the adjacent pub car park
Sunshine and shade: There's a boat seat in permanent shade, the rest of the bar gets sunshine at various times of the day.
Sporadic showers: The entire bar has a retractable cover for warm days with the chance of a shower.
Heating: A large fire by the tall table and patio heaters around the courtyard
Designated Driver: 0% Carlsberg on tap, 0% Guinness also, Alcohol free bottled Old Mout Cider. Barista coffee service.
Entertainment: Tribute act nights roughly every four weeks, £39.50 a ticket
Specials: 2 course lunchtime specials most days
Pub Quiz: None advertised
Open: Every day, 11am Sunday, 11:30am other days to Midnight Thursday, 1am Fri/Sat {Food served to 9:30pm}
Info date: 11th July 2025
Please let us know if we've got anything wrong, out of date or missing. let us know
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Get out and about: The sea front is a two minute walk from the bar​
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Gardens in or near Donaghadee. Got something to tell us about a Donaghadee Beer Garden? Let us know