Discover Kearney: A Picturesque Village on County Down's Coast

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Kearney Village

On the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula, County Down, and hugging the rugged coast, lies the tiny, picturesque village of Kearney. Back in the 19th century this was a flourishing village with fishing as its main occupation. In the past few years, the National Trust has set about restoring some of its original whitewashed cottages to try and preserve the character of the place. You can now visit to enjoy stunning coastal walks with views to the Mourne mountains and the Isle of Man.

Getting there

From Belfast it is approximately an hour’s drive. This was our second attempt at visiting Kearney. The first time, two years ago, it was a rather torturous drive through endless roadworks and diversions. We arrived only to discover that the final road was being dug up and we could not drive any further. So, best to check the route ahead of time (lesson learnt, I guess !). Thankfully, our second attempt was successful. However, I should point that some of the roads are rather narrow and it can be a tight squeeze in places for cars to pass each other !

The Location

Kearney is set in a beautiful remote location, where coast, countryside and farmland meet. It felt like time had slowed down here. We enjoyed a lovely walk along the coastal path to Knockinelder beach, amongst rugged grassland and pretty wildflowers, the sun beating down on our faces. We had the place to ourselves for a while, stopping to watch the seals basking on the rocks and pausing to take in the wildness of the place. On our return, we took a wander through the tiny village to admire the whitewashed cottages and reflect on a way of life that has long since disappeared. Then it was back to the car for tea and biscuits (we always bring a flask!) before heading home.

The facilities

All in all, we were really glad we made the effort again to visit Kearney. I’d definitely recommend a visit if you get the opportunity. When you arrive, there is a free and decent sized car park and public toilets. There is also an information centre providing lots of information on the village’s history. People do live in the village and in more contemporary houses on the approaches so best to be mindful of that.

You can find lots more information about Kearney on the National Trust website.

Have a lovely Sunday,

Paula x