The wedding of

Niamh & Harry

Portaferry, Northern Ireland

Illustration of the Portaferry ferry decorated with flowers, ribbons and a ‘Just Married’ banner
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The Weekend

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Hand-drawn timeline titled ‘The Big Day’, with champagne pouring from a bottle into a glass.
Hand-drawn timeline titled ‘The Big Weekend’, with champagne pouring from a bottle into a glass.

The Venue

The pale blue Victorian frontage of Portaferry Sailing Club, home to The Salthouse Restaurant, on the Portaferry shorefront

Niamh lives here!!!

Portaferry Sailing Club

Portaferry, Northern Ireland

The Sailing Club sits right on the shore of Strangford Lough and is where we’ll be spending Friday evening celebrating. It’s a relaxed local club with a bar, outdoor terrace and some of the best views across the Lough – and it’s conveniently next door to Niamh’s family home.

Address
38 Shore Road
Portaferry
Newtownards
BT22 1JZ
Parking
There is free public parking around Portaferry, and the village is very walkable once you arrive.
Portaferry Sailing Club Open in Google Maps

Travel & Stay

Portaferry is a small village right at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, on the shores of Strangford Lough.

Getting to Portaferry

Flying in

  • George Best Belfast City Airport Recommended

    Approx. 60 minutes by car

  • Belfast International Airport

    Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by car

By car

Hiring a car

If you’re flying into Belfast and planning to stay for the weekend, hiring a car is probably the easiest way to get to Portaferry and explore the surrounding area.

Both Belfast airports have car hire available at the airport, so you can collect your car when you arrive and return it before your flight home.

Parking

There is free public parking around Portaferry, and the village is very walkable once you arrive.

You won’t need a car to get between the main wedding locations – everything in Portaferry is close together.

By public transport

Portaferry is accessible by public transport, but if you’re travelling from one of the Belfast airports, the journey usually involves a couple of stages.

From Belfast City Airport

Depending on your arrival time, you can travel into Belfast and connect with a bus towards Portaferry, or take a taxi from the airport to Dundonald (Ulster Hospital) or Newtownards Bus Station and pick up a Portaferry bus from there.

From Belfast International Airport

Belfast International is further away. You can take the airport bus into Belfast and then connect with a bus towards Portaferry.

From Belfast or Newtownards

Translink’s 9 and 10 services connect Belfast, Newtownards and Portaferry, with some services also stopping at Dundonald (Ulster Hospital).

If you’re staying in Belfast before the wedding, you can travel to Portaferry by bus without needing to hire a car.

We’d recommend checking the Translink Journey Planner shortly before travelling, as routes and timetables may change before May 2027.

Where to Stay

Portaferry is a small village and accommodation is limited, so if you’re planning to stay for the wedding weekend, we’d recommend booking as early as possible.

If you’re joining us for the Friday evening party, staying in Portaferry itself will be easiest. Most of the village is walkable, so you can enjoy the party without having to worry about driving, finding a late-night taxi (there is only one taxi man!) or catching the last ferry.

  • The Portaferry Hotel

    The Strand, Portaferry

    • Hotel
    • Very central
    • Waterfront

    The Portaferry Hotel sits right on the waterfront in the centre of the village, overlooking Strangford Lough.

    It has its own bar and restaurant as well as guest rooms, so it’s probably the easiest option for anyone who prefers a traditional hotel rather than self-catering.

    It’s within walking distance of the ferry, the village centre and our wedding festivities.

    Check availability

  • The Narrows Guesthouse

    Shore Road, Portaferry

    • Guesthouse
    • 6 en-suite rooms
    • Waterfront

    The Narrows is a small, no-frills guesthouse in a lovely position on the waterfront, very close to the ferry terminal and village centre.

    It has six individually styled en-suite bedrooms, including double, twin and family rooms, so it could work particularly well for a few friends or family members booking in the same place.

    It’s very central, with pubs, restaurants and the waterfront just outside, and our wedding locations in Portaferry are within walking distance.

  • School House Portaferry

    Ballyphilip Road, Portaferry

    • 9 rooms & studios
    • Double or twin
    • 15-min walk

    School House is a beautifully converted historic school building offering nine individual rooms and studios.

    There’s a mixture of standard and split-level studios, and several of the super-king beds can be separated into two singles – a great option for couples as well as friends travelling together. Some studios also have an additional sofa bed.

    All rooms are en-suite with facilities for preparing food, plus free private parking and Wi-Fi. It’s in a quieter part of the village but still only around a 15-minute walk from the waterfront and our wedding festivities.

    View on Booking.com

Self-catering

There are also lots of cottages, apartments and holiday homes in and around Portaferry. These can be a great option if you’re coming over for a few nights, particularly if you’re travelling with friends or family and would rather share accommodation.

When booking, we’d recommend checking how far the property is from Portaferry village centre – unless you’re driving, you’ll need to be able to walk home after the wedding festivities.

Browse Airbnbs in and around Portaferry

Portaferry

Niamh & Harry’s guide

Portaferry is a very special place to us. Niamh grew up here, and it’s also where we got engaged, right on the shores of Strangford Lough.

With the water never far away, the ferry coming and going, and so many familiar places and faces, it felt like the perfect place for us to get married.

We’re so excited to celebrate here with everyone and to share a little bit of Portaferry with you. If you’re making a weekend of it, here are some of our favourite places to eat, drink and explore while you’re here.

Best Places for a Pint

  • Portaferry Sailing Club

    Right at the heart of our wedding festivities – and conveniently next door to Niamh’s family home!

    The Sailing Club sits right on the shore of Strangford Lough and is where we’ll be spending Friday evening celebrating. It’s a relaxed local club with a bar, outdoor terrace and some of the best views across the Lough.

  • The Portaferry Hotel

    For a drink overlooking the Lough.

    Right on the waterfront, the Portaferry Hotel has a bar looking out over Strangford Lough and is a lovely spot to stop for a drink while you’re exploring the village.

  • Dumigan’s

    For the full Portaferry experience.

    Walking into Dumigan’s is a little like stepping back in time and a little like going for a drink in someone’s house. There’s a tiny front bar, a living-room-style lounge and, famously, even a bath in the bathroom.

    It’s small, traditional and full of character – definitely one to visit if you want to experience a proper old Portaferry pub.

    Tip Cash only

  • The Coach Inn

    A good stop if you’re exploring a little further into the village.

    Around a 10-minute walk from the waterfront, the Coach Inn is a friendly local pub and a handy place to stop for a drink if you’re having a wander around Portaferry beyond the shorefront.

  • Fiddlers Green

    For a traditional Irish pub feel – and a little bit of Game of Thrones.

    Right in the centre of the village, Fiddlers Green has that cosy traditional Irish bar feel, with live music regularly part of the atmosphere.

    It’s also home to one of Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones Doors, carved from trees felled at the Dark Hedges and placed in pubs across Northern Ireland after filming.

  • The Lep Bar

    A local stop on your way back to the waterfront.

    The Lep is a proper local Portaferry bar, a little further up in the town. If you’ve wandered up to explore beyond the shorefront, it’s a handy place to stop for a pint on your way back down towards the water.

Six pubs, one little village

Niamh & Harry’s Portaferry Pub Crawl

If you’ve got some spare time over the weekend and fancy exploring Portaferry properly, here’s our suggested route through the village…

  1. The Portaferry Hotel

    Start on the shorefront with a drink overlooking Strangford Lough. From here you can watch the ferry coming and going before heading into the village.

  2. Dumigan’s

    Next, head to Dumigan’s for a completely different Portaferry experience. It’s a bit like stepping back in time – and a bit like having a drink in someone’s house. There’s a tiny front bar, a living-room-style lounge and, yes, there really is a bath in the bathroom.

  3. Fiddlers Green

    Carry on to Fiddlers for a traditional Irish-bar feel. Grab a pint and make sure you have a look at the Game of Thrones door while you’re there.

  4. The Coach Inn

    From Fiddlers, wander further up through the town to the Coach Inn. It’s a good spot to stop for another drink while exploring the part of Portaferry away from the waterfront.

  5. The Lep

    Start making your way back towards the shore with a stop at The Lep – a proper local bar and a handy halfway point on the walk back down.

  6. Portaferry Sailing Club

    Finish where you’ll be spending plenty of time over the wedding weekend: right by the water at Portaferry Sailing Club. It’s next door to Niamh’s family home, has beautiful views across the Lough and is at the heart of our wedding festivities.

Six pubs, one little village. We’ll leave it up to you how seriously you take the challenge…

Where to Eat

Whether you’re looking for a coffee in the morning, something quick for lunch or somewhere for dinner, there are plenty of places to try around Portaferry. And if you fancy venturing a little further, hop on the ferry and you’ll find a few more of our favourites across the Lough in Strangford.

Breakfast, Coffee & Cake

  • Blaney’s Tea Room

    A little tea room right on the shorefront serving coffee, cakes and ice cream, with views across Strangford Lough.

    If the owner Jessie is there, be warned – he’ll probably wind you up, and if you mention the wedding, there’s a good chance Niamh will get a Portaferry slagging too.

  • Café Therese

    A cosy café on Castle Street and a good option for breakfast, lunch, coffee or something sweet while you’re exploring the village.

  • Tréan Coffee

    Right on The Square and a great place to grab your morning coffee. It opens early too, making it a handy stop before heading out for the day.

  • The Narrows

    Right beside the ferry with lovely views across the Lough. The Narrows has a restaurant as well as its guesthouse, so it’s another one worth checking out while you’re here.

Lunch & Dinner in Portaferry

  • The Portaferry Hotel

    Right on the shorefront, the hotel is an easy option for lunch or dinner with views across Strangford Lough. It also has a bar, so it’s equally good for stopping in for a drink.

  • The Salthouse

    Upstairs in Portaferry Sailing Club, with views straight out over the Lough. A great option for lunch or dinner – and very conveniently located if you’re already down by the shore.

  • The Spice Inn

    Portaferry’s Indian restaurant, right on The Strand. A good choice if you fancy something a little different during your stay.

  • Captain Jack’s Bistro

    A relaxed, casual option in the centre of Portaferry and a good choice for an easy lunch or dinner. Particularly handy if you’re after fish and chips without anything too fancy.

Across the Lough – Strangford

If you have some spare time, hop on the ferry across to Strangford for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The crossing only takes a few minutes, but it’s a lovely little trip in itself – keep an eye out for the dolphins on the way!

  • The Cuan

    A lovely spot in the centre of Strangford serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with plenty of local produce and seafood on the menu.

    It’s also where we’ll be having our wedding meal on Friday, so some of you will be getting very well acquainted with it!

    Our pick for A proper meal in Strangford – and, for some of you, the wedding dinner!

  • The Artisan Cookhouse

    A relaxed contemporary bistro in Strangford with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced food. It’s a great option for breakfast or brunch as well as lunch or dinner.

    Our pick for Brunch or a nice meal across the Lough.

Walks & Getting Outdoors

Sitting right at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, surrounded by Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea, Portaferry is a beautiful place to get outside and explore. Whether you fancy a walk along the shore, a trip across the Lough or a short drive further around the peninsula, these are some of our favourite spots.

  • Along the Shore

    An easy morning walk by the water.

    You don’t have to go far for one of the nicest walks in Portaferry. Just walk past the ferry terminal and follow the shore out of the village, with Strangford Lough beside you and lovely views across the water. Keep an eye on the Lough as you go – you might even spot the dolphins!

    There’s no real plan needed for this one: grab a coffee, head along the shore and turn back whenever you’ve had enough.

  • Windmill Hill

    For one of the best views over Portaferry.

    It’s a bit of an uphill climb, but you’ll be rewarded with brilliant views over the rooftops of Portaferry, Strangford Lough and across the water towards Strangford.

    A great little walk if you want to see the village from above – and much shorter than heading off on one of the longer coastal walks.

  • Audley’s Castle

    A lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

    Hop on the ferry from Portaferry to Strangford and head towards Castle Ward, where you can follow the 2 km shoreline walk to Audley’s Castle, along the edge of Strangford Lough and through woodland, with beautiful views across the water.

    Once you’ve made your way back, head into Strangford and reward yourself with a pint before hopping on the ferry home to Portaferry.

  • Castle Ward

    One for the Game of Thrones fans.

    Hop on the ferry to Strangford and visit Castle Ward, a beautiful National Trust estate overlooking Strangford Lough. Wander around the gardens and estate, enjoy the woodland and waterside walks, or visit the house itself – there are plenty of routes, so you can have a gentle wander or make a longer walk of it.

    Parts of the Castle Ward estate were used as Winterfell.

  • Kearney Village

    If you have a car, Kearney is well worth the short trip out of Portaferry. It’s a tiny, beautifully preserved coastal village with lovely walks along the surrounding coastline. It feels much more remote than Portaferry and is a lovely place to spend a quiet hour or two by the sea.

    You’ll need a car for this one

    Our pick for A scenic drive and coastal wander.

  • Knockinelder Beach

    A lovely sandy beach a short drive from Portaferry, and a great place to head if the May weather is being kind to us. Take a walk along the beach, enjoy the sea air and, if you’re particularly brave, test the temperature of the Irish Sea.

    You’ll need a car for this one

  • Wild Swimming

    If you’re brave enough for the Northern Irish water, there are plenty of places around the area for a dip. You’ll see people swimming at various spots along Strangford Lough, or you can head out to Knockinelder Beach for a sea swim.

    The water will still be pretty chilly in May, so bring plenty of warm clothes for afterwards!

Useful Information

  • The Ferry

    The ferry runs regularly between Portaferry and Strangford, with the crossing taking just a few minutes. It’s the easiest way to pop across for food, a walk or a pint – and keep an eye out for dolphins on the way!

    It doesn’t run overnight, so if you’re heading across later in the day, make sure you check the last sailing back.

  • Taxis

    Local taxi options are very limited. The local taxi driver is Devoy, so if you know you’ll need a taxi, we’d strongly recommend booking with him in advance – particularly for airport transfers or late-night journeys.

    Once you’re in Portaferry, most places are within walking distance.

    Devoy’s Taxi: phone number to be added

  • Shops & Essentials

    EUROSPAR is just off The Square, handy if you’re staying around the centre or shorefront, while Centra is further up High Street at the top of the town. Both are handy for groceries, snacks, drinks and any essentials you’ve forgotten.

    There’s also a local off-licence in The Square if you want to pick up wine or beer for your accommodation.

  • The Weather

    It’s Northern Ireland in May – come prepared for everything! A light waterproof and comfortable shoes are worth packing, particularly if you’re planning any of the walks.

    And if you’re considering wild swimming, bring plenty of warm clothes for afterwards.

Questions

Contact details for any other questions to be added.

Answer to be added.

Yes – there is free public parking around Portaferry, and the village is very walkable once you arrive. You won’t need a car to get between the main wedding locations. See Travel & Stay for more.

Answer to be added.

Answer to be added.

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