Donaghadee

Port and resort in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the North Channel and eastern gateway to the Ards Peninsula, 22 km/14 mi east of Belfast; population (2001) 6,500. Summer ferry services operate to the nearby Copeland Islands. The harbour was constructed to support a mail service to Portpatrick, Scotland, 13 km/21 miles to the northeast, which ended in 1849. Its massive walls and lighthouse, designed in 1819, were completed by John Rennie, creator of several of London's bridges. Other features include an 1821 castellated powder house, and Grace Neill's (established 1611), which claims to be Ireland's oldest inn; Peter the Great was a visitor in 1697. Dulse, an edible seaweed, is collected in the harbour at low tide.