County Down Buildings Throw Doors Open To Public

Over 300 buildings will be open to the public across Northern Ireland. Commending the open days to visitors, Environment Minister Alex Attwood said, “The depth and diversity of County Down’s built heritage is illustrated in the range of buildings which will be open over the weekend including many which are closed during the rest of the year. [caption id="attachment_17020" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="The 'house' at Castle Ward near Strangford."][/caption] “At one end of the scale visitors will be able to visit a grand home such as Ballywalter Park but will also be able to see lesser known architectural gems such as the Methodist Church in Portaferry. “Since it began in 1997, the European Heritage Open Days weekend has become the largest built heritage cultural event in Northern Ireland. It provides an opportunity for people to see behind the facades of some of our historic buildings that would not normally be open, and also demonstrates the importance that the built environment has in our daily lives. “EHOD gets better and better every year with more buildings and events. Additionally three audio tours have been included this year and they are free to download. These provide a new way to explore the historical highlights of Belfast, Derry’s Walls and the Causeway Coastal Route at your own pace. “The open days could not happen without the many building owners and volunteers who open properties and arrange activities and they have my personal thanks,” added Minister Attwood.]]>