About Ards

The population of the area has grown steadily and now stands at over 77,400, representing around 4% of the population of Northern Ireland. Ards remains one of the fastest growing boroughs and the population is expected to rise to over 80,000 by 2012.

The main centre of population is Newtownards, the Borough's capital town, with Comber, Donaghadee and Portaferry the next largest settlements. The Borough extends along the Ards Peninsula, including villages and townlands such as Greyabbey, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter, Kircubbin, Portavogie, Cloughey and Millisle.

Stretching further along the shores of Strangford Lough in the direction of Downpatrick the Borough also encompasses Comber and Killinchy, and extends further towards Dundonald in East Belfast. 

The area is overlooked by its most famous landmark - Scrabo Tower and dotted throughout the area are some of Northern Ireland's most prized tourist locations and attractions. Mount Stewart, just outside Greyabbey is one of the National Trust's most renowned treasures and attracts thousands of visitors to its glorious gardens and magnificent house each year. Further along the Peninsula is Exploris, Northern Ireland's only aquarium, while on the other side of the Lough, overlooking areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Special Scientific Interest is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's Castle Espie.

The town of Newtownards remains one of Northern Ireland's top shopping towns, as it still boasts locally owned individual stores and a very popular Saturday market.