Ards Peninsula

The Ards Peninsula (from Irish: nAird Uladh, meaning "peninsula of the Ulstermen") is a peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland, which separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea on Ireland's north-east coast. A number of towns and villages are located on the peninsula such as the seaside town of Donaghadee, with the surrounding area known as the Ards district. Newtownards, situated at the northern end of the peninsula, is the largest town in the area, while Portaferry is at the southern end of the Peninsula. It is largely situated in the Borough of Ards. The Ards gives host to a mild marine micro-climate capable of producing a large range of agricultural products due to the dry and fertile soils.