The Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea, on Ireland's northeast coast. At the narrowest point, only 13 miles of sea separate the Ards Peninsula and Scotland. Newtownards is situated at the northern end of the peninsula and Portaferry is at the southern end.
The peninsula was conquered by the Normans in the 12th century, with the Norman family Savage building a number of castles, and priories on the peninsula. Towns and villages of the Ards Peninsula include Newtownards, Portaferry, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Cloghy, Greyabbey, Kircubbin, and Portavogie
