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'Fantastic place to visit'

PORTAFERRY is one of Co Down's most visited areas, with tens of thousands of people arriving by ferry each year.

Located at the entrance of Strangford Lough, it is both a fishing and holiday resort with its seafront and quaint rows of houses attracting day-trippers. While the threatened Exploris aquarium is one of the main tourist attractions, Portaferry Castle, a small 16th century tower house, is another place of interest and a festival draws visitors each year.

A passenger/car ferry brings around 50,000 people between Portaferry and Strangford every year.

Famous people from the village include tenor Peter Tomelty and his brother, the actor and playwright Joseph Tomelty, as well as poet Fr Vincent McNabb.

Actor Oliver Reed was a regular visitor up until his death, while actor Errol Flynn was also fond of trips to the village.

Publican Bill Wolsey, who owns the Portaferry Hotel, said it is a "fantastic place to visit". "In my opinion Strangford Lough is one of Ireland's best kept secrets," he said. "Tourism is the biggest contributor and pumps £500 million into the local economy and Portaferry and the people of Portaferry deserve the help to keep that going."

Suzanne McGonagle

n draws: Far left, the Exploris Aquarium. Left, Errol Flynn