The Lodge at Quarterland Bay
The Lodge at Quarterland Bay enjoys a peaceful location looking out on the rolling hills and…
Our View
This impressive tower-house was reputedly built by John Sely, bishop of Down, between 1413 and 1441 when he was dismissed for living with Letticia Thoma, a married woman. This makes it the earliest datable tower-house in County Down and this monument is often used to date other tower-houses in the county. Its features include the high machicolation arch between projecting towers, a local feature displayed here, at Audley's Castle and at Margaret's and Jordan's Castles in Ardglass. The machicolation protects the entrance leading to a spiral stair in the southeast tower. In the northeast tower is a latrine shaft with access form three of the four floors. The ground floor chamber has a semicircular barrel vault built on wicker centring. On the second floor a 13th century coffin lid from the nearby church was reused as a lintel for the fireplace and on the third floor crosses can be seen cut into a window. The two-light window in the east wall is a modern reconstruction based on a surviving fragment.
Features
Opening times
- Opening Times: Open summer only, daily 1-5. No unaccompanied children under 16. Check website for current opening times
Also in the area
About the area
Discover County Down
Geographically, County Down seems to put a long arm around Strangford Lough, over 70 square miles of water. The arm is the Ards Peninsula, the most easterly part of Ireland.
Strangford Lough is a ria (a drowned estuary), caused by rising sea levels at the end of the Ice Age It is dotted with some 70 small islands, actually the highest points of drowned drumlins (small rounded hills) formed of material left behind by glaciers. The Lough is home to large flocks of wintering wildfowl that congregate on the mudflats surrounding its shores. About 9 square miles of the lough are a designated reserve for this reason.
Bangor is at the top of the peninsula, and with its picturesque seafront promenades, a charming marina and many shops and restaurants, it is regularly voted the most desirable place to live in Northern Ireland. Much of the town dates from the Victorian era with some historic buildings as well as some more modern development, and one of the largest open-air markets in Northern Ireland.
Nearby stays
Places to Stay
Dining nearby
Restaurants and Pubs
Why choose Rated Trips?
Your trusted guide to rated places across the UK
The best coverage
Discover more than 15,000 professionally rated places to stay, eat and visit from across the UK and Ireland.
Quality assured
Choose a place to stay safe in the knowledge that it has been expertly assessed by trained assessors.
Plan your next trip
Search by location or the type of place you're visiting to find your next ideal holiday experience.
Travel inspiration
Read our articles, city guides and recommended things to do for inspiration. We're here to help you explore the UK.