Quoile River Walk

Starting at Down County Museum on English Street, turn left onto Mount Crescent and then turn left heading towards the Mound of Down, passing Downpatrick Primary School. Enter the Mound of Down site and keeping to the right of the Mound follow the path to the north and exit onto a newly constructed path which leads onto Well Lane (adjacent to the sewage works). Turn right onto Well Lane and taking extreme care, cross the Belfast Road close to the St Patrick’s sculpture.

Once across the road, turn left onto the Jane’s Shore path along the Quoile for approximately 1.2 km until reaching the Old Belfast Road. Turn left and once reaching the Quoile Bridge keep right (take care crossing the road) to join the path at the Quoile pondage. Follow the off-road path until reaching Steamboat Quay.

On the return route from Steamboat Quay you can either re-trace your steps along the path or at first car park come up onto Quay Road and once at the Quoile Countryside Centre take the steps down onto the Quoile path again and turn left. Retrace your steps back to Quoile Quay. At this point leave the riverside path and join the Quoile Road, turning left and then right onto the Strangford Road. Walk back towards Downpatrick, passing the cricket ground on the right hand side.

At the War Memorial turn left onto New Bridge Street, passing the roundabout at the junction with the Belfast Road. Continue onto the next junction and take a right turn onto Bridge Street. Follow the road passing Down High School and on to Irish Street, back where you started at the Museum.