Monitored bathing water

Ballyhornan

Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Water qualityExcellent NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Ballyhornan

Ballyhornan is a sandy beach on the Lecale coast of County Down, south of Strangford and near Ardglass. A DAERA-identified bathing water rated Excellent, it is a quiet, unspoilt strand looking out to Guns Island, which can be reached on foot across the sand at low tide. Backed by low dunes and farmland, it is a peaceful spot away from the busier Down resorts, popular with local families and walkers. The whole Lecale peninsula — St Patrick's country, with Downpatrick, Ardglass harbour and Strangford Lough all close by — makes this a rewarding corner of the Down coast to explore.

Get directions to the car park

This searches for the named car park on Google Maps — a place-name match, not yet a GPS-confirmed pin.

📍 Find Ballyhornan Beach car park, Downpatrick on Google Maps

Named from official sources but not yet pin-verified — always confirm on arrival.

Map

Approximate location, auto-geocoded from a named car park — not yet a GPS-verified pin. Always verify on arrival.

Activity suitability

Surfing — No surf
Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
Lifeguard (summer) — No
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Car park — Free
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Toilets, Disabled access, Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from the local council and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Discover Northern Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at nidirect.gov.uk. Always check nidirect.gov.uk and local signage at the beach before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall. IrishBeaches.ie accepts no liability for water quality conditions at the time of your visit.

NIEA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check nidirect.gov.uk for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

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