- Local Events
- Cove Bay News
- Cove Bay Community
- Copeland Bird Observatory
- Your Say
- Contact the Editor
- Homes For Sale
- Homes For Rent
- Airlines and Ferries
- Report a Fault to N.D.B.Council
- Groomsport Photographs
- Groomsport Weather
- Free
Classifieds
Groomsport Holiday Homes To Let
Fully furnished holiday home to let
Cove Bay, a beautiful development on the beach at Groomsport, N. Ireland. Just 5 minutes walk to Groomsport beach (recommended as a Best Beach 2009) and close to Groomsport village and restaurants. Three bedrooms (one ensuite), family bathrom, and extra downstairs toilet.
Two parking spaces at the front.
Click Here for more Homes To Let
Cove Bay Website Statistics
A record 150,000 hits or visits to the website were recorded in 2009 from 52 countries, including 11,000 first time visitors.
The top 3 countries for visitors to our website are USA, UK, and Europe.
Google Street Map of Groomsport
Tracing your Family Tree
With mass emigration from Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries, millions of people around the world can now claim at least partial Irish descent. Many want to trace their ancestors, and learn more about their family history. The contacts listing below could help you find out more, but please remember, genealogical research can be a challenge.
Armagh Ancestry
Association of Ulster Genealogists & Record Agents (AUGRA)
Banbridge Genealogy Services
Centre for Migration Studies
centremigstudies@ni-libraries.net
General Register Office
Irish World Family History Services
North of Ireland Family History Society
North of Ireland Tourist Board
www.discovernorthernireland.com
Presbyterian Historical Society
Public Record Office N.Ireland (PRONI)
Society of Genealogists N. Ireland
Ulster Historical Foundation
Groomsport Village History
By the 17th century the village was known as ‘Gilgroomsport’
and at this time, before Donaghadee became the main port for embarkation
for Scotland, Groomsport’s harbour was significant enough
to have its own Customs House.
Groomsport narrowly missed out on New World fame when the ship Eagle Wing set out from the port, with 140 men, women and children, to attempt an early trip to North America in 1636 only to be defeated by bad weather after eight weeks at sea.
On 13 Aug 1689, the English Fleet with Duke Schomberg and an army
of 10,000 came ashore in Groomsport. In 1659 there were 25 English/Scots
& 8 Catholic families here. The population in 1910 was 264
people.
By the mid 1800s Groomsport had a relatively large fishing fleet and housed a lifeboat station in its sheltered bay. The population of the village was employed mainly in agriculture, fishing and loom weaving. Whilst living conditions were hard, the coming of the railway from Holywood to Bangor in 1865 made the village much more accessible and the standard of living improved. Groomsport had its own halt on the Newtownards to Donaghadee line and the village became a popular destination for visitors.
The population was only 360 in the 1951 Census but this has increased substantially in the last few years with the construction of new housing developments. The harbour has found new popularity, with a sailing club and a collection of pleasure craft. Two former fishermen's cottages by the harbour have been restored as an attraction for visitors. Nowadays, caravanners and trippers are attracted by the beautifully landscaped picnic and play areas around the harbour, the sandy beaches, quality pubs, restaurants and the picture-postcard beauty of the place.
Living in Groomsport area?
Help us to keep you, and all your neighbours informed, entertained,
and up to date with local information. Our website www.covebay.net
can only work if YOU contribute, comment, criticise etc.
Do you have any photographs of the area before the houses were
built? Have you something you want to get off your chest?
Want to publicise a local event? If you are a Church, group, club,
etc, please tell us (by email) about your organisation, events,
people, and contact details.
We are waiting to hear from YOU.
You can contact us at: editor@covebay.net
National Trust
Ballymacormick / Orlock
These two rocky outcrops are located along the northern shores of Co Down, on either side of the little village of Groomsport. Covered in gorse, they are good for rough walking, and for spotting birds, flowers and foxes. Because they are in a relatively natural state and close to large centres of population, they are vulnerable areas in need of constant care.
Ballymacormick is just on the edge of Belfast Lough, so there are interesting views north and west. It is impossible to avoid seeing the dominant profile of Kilroot power station, but sharp eyes on a clear day can identify other landmarks on the Co Antrim escarpment of black basalt – Carrickfergus, the Knockagh monument, and the coast curving towards Whitehead. There is nearly always a ship using the busy channel to Belfast. Out to sea, the coast of Galloway can be seen surprisingly sharply on a clear day.
There is something for birdwatchers at all times of the year.
The combination of rough grass, gorse and rocks forms an inviting
breeding ground for oystercatchers, skylarks, meadow and rock
pipits, stonechats, reed buntings, willow warblers and linnets.
In winter, waders such as dunlin redshank, curlew, purple sandpiper
and ringed plover can be seen on the shore or among the rocks,
while out to sea there is a likelihood of seeing redbreasted merganser,
eider and shelduck, and almost a certainty of spotting cormorant
and shag. Summer brings the sandwich terns – to join the
nearby breeding arctic and common terns – with their eyecatching
flights, loops and dives in search of fish.
Groomsport 2001 Census
Groomsport is classified as a settlement within Belfast Metropolitan
Urban Area (BMUA) by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 873 people living in
Groomsport. Of these: 11.7% were aged under 16 years and 41.6%
were aged 60 and over 45.7% of the population were male and 54.3%
were female 2.6% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed. The village
today has a population of approximately 3,000, and continues to
grow.
SS NOMADIC returns to Birthplace
On 12th July 2006 she was loaded onto the 91.46 metre long AMT Mariner at Le Harve and 3 days later she was finally docked at the outfitting wharf of her original builders, Harland and Wolff shipyards, Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Nomadic was back home for the first time since
her farewell to the men who built her in 1910 - 1911, Back in
her birthplace after an absence of 95 years, 1 month and 19 days.
The Nomadic Preservation Society: To represent worldwide our loyal members and assist the Nomadic Charitable Trust in any way with the protection, restoration & preservation, and to actively promote the history and heritage of SS Nomadic, for future generations to study and enjoy.
At present the Nomadic is currently berthed at Barnett Dock within an operational area of the Port. While it will not be possible to open her to the public this year, it is believed that the move to Hamilton Graving Dock will significantly boost the programme of work on the ship and facilitate her re-opening at some stage next year.
Click to make CoveBay.net your Homepage
Welcome to CoveBay.net
The Community Website for Groomsport,
Northern Ireland.
Dolphins in Groomsport
A local resident (a Marine Biologist) spotted a pod of Bottle Nosed Dolphins swimming near Orlock Point, near Groomsport on 14th January 2010.
Bottlenose dolphins live in groups called pods that typically number about 15 dolphins, but group size varies from solitary bottlenose dolphins up to groups of over 100 or even occasionally over 1000 animals. Their diet consists mainly of forage fish. Dolphin groups often work as a team to harvest schools of fish, but they also hunt individually. Dolphins search for prey primarily using echolocation, which is similar to sonar. They emit clicking sounds and listen for the return echo to determine the location and shape of nearby items, including potential prey. Bottlenose dolphins also use sound for communication. Sounds used for communication include squeaks and whistles emitted from the blowhole and sounds emitted through body language, such as leaping from the water and slapping their tails on the water.
Whale or Dolphin sightings should be reported to:
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
This Group is dedicated to the conservation and better understanding of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise) in Irish waters.
The Group was founded in 1990 to establish an Irish stranding and sighting scheme and to campaign for the declaration of Irish territorial waters as a whale and dolphin sanctuary.
Exploris Seal Sanctuary
The N. Ireland Exploris hospital at Portaferry is a purpose built facility for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned, injured and sick Common and Grey seal pups.
At present they have nine Grey seals in the Rescue Centre, and later in the near Common Seals will appear. Another busy year for the Exploris staff.
The seal hospital comprises six quarantine pens, food preparation room, nursery pond and large pond with underwater viewing area.
The seal hospital is at its busiest during the two pupping seasons. Common seals are born during June and July and grey seals between September and December.
Exploris' aim is to release all rescued seal pups back into the
wild.
New G.V.A. Chairman
Congratulations to Ian Parsley, newly elected Chairman of Groomsport Village Association.
Lets hope we will see a re-energised committee make some efforts to improve facilities and fun in the village for both the young and old.
Perhaps they can bring back the popular Eagle Wing Festival!
The members of the GVA committee are elected on an annual basis.
The AGM is usually held during the Autumn months (usually in the
boat-house), when villagers meet, to elect a new committee and to
air their views about village affairs in general.
Communications
The Committee can be contacted via the link above to their website
or via a postbox in the Church Hall. These messages will be directed
to the Hon. Secretary who will bring their contents to the attention
of the committee.
A newsletter published every four months is distributed to every house in the village, and can also be viewed online CLICK HERE
Holiday Homes Wanted To Let
Covebay.net has received inquiries from holidaymakers wanting to Rent a House in Groomsport.
Contact the Editor if your house is available
Modest Decline in House Prices
At 2%, year on year modest decline during 2009 in the South Eastern
part of Northern Ireland has seen the average house value drop to
£172,225.00.
Prices over the last ten years rose 129% overall
Nationwide Survey Q4-09
Groomsport Sunset
Click on Photo to Enlarge
. Picture by Michael McMullan
Groomsport Past and Present
Click for More Groomsport Photographs
Local Police Contacts
The Community Beat Officer for Groomsport is Constable Anne Hiles stationed at Bangor PSNI Tel Number 02891474983
"I may not always be on duty but someone will always pass a message on" - Ann Hiles
Cockle Row Cottages Groomsport
Click on photo for a 1950's view of Cockle Row
Cockle Row Cottages are open daily (June-August) 11.30am-5.30pm Information T: 0289127 0069 Email: tic@northdown.gov.uk During opening hours contact Cockle Row on 028 9145 888
Groomsport Harbour
Click on Photo for Groomsport Album
Titanic Journey
View BBC Newsline's exclusive footage of Titanic and learn about the science and history behind this extraordinary journey to the bottom of the Atlantic.
The Lagan
Boat Company
The World's ONLY provider of authentic Titanic Boat Tours around
the shipyards of Harland & Wolff in Belfast.
The SS Nomadic Survives
S.S. NOMADIC the last White Star Line vessel afloat
(courtesy Captain Wood collection)
The SS NOMADIC is one of the less well known survivors of the Titanic. The tender, SS NOMADIC, was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Launched on April 25, 1911 and delivered to White Star Line on May 27. She attended the departure of the RMS OLYMPIC for Liverpool on May 31, 1911. That same day the RMS TITANIC was launched.
NOMADIC and her sister TRAFFIC were built to ferry passengers and freight to and from the White Star Liners calling at Cherbourg, France, which at that time, was too small a harbour to accommodate the massive ocean liners of the day. TRAFFIC would ferry the third class passengers and mail, while NOMADIC, with her plush interiors, brought first and second class to TITANIC and OLYMPIC. NOMADIC and TRAFFIC both arrived in Cherbourg on June 3, 1911 (the NOMADIC was commanded by Captain Boitard), the vessels served OLYMPIC on September 14, 1911 when she called at Cherbourg on her maiden voyage to New York.
On the April 10, 1912 NOMADIC sailed out from port with 142 first class and 30 second class passengers to meet TITANIC on her maiden voyage. Onboard her that evening were many of the most famous passengers. Among her compliment that night were Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon, Colonel John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeline, Benjamin Guggenheim and Molly Brown. This was the NOMADIC's last delivery to TITANIC before her maiden voyage sinking, five days later, which was to shock the world.
For Nomadic Picture Gallery - CLICK HERE
Talking Pages!
Browsealoud will read our website pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online. Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairments
Click on the Logo above for a video demonstration, and Free Download
Saint Patrick's Day
Free BBC Concert
Join Sharon Shannon and friends as they celebrate
Saint Patrick's Day with the Ulster Orchestra.
Internationally acclaimed traditional Irish musician Sharon Shannon joins the Ulster Orchestra and conductor David Brophy for an evening of musical delights, broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster and presented by John Toal.
Members of Sharon Shannon's band, and specially invited guest soloists, will also be part of this Saint Patrick's Day concert presented by BBC Radio Ulster and Belfast City Council.
Recording on Wednesday 17 March at the Waterfront
Hall, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3WH.
Doors open at 7.15pm
Concert begins at 8pm
Audience members must be in their seats by 7.50pm
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
To apply for tickets, visit:
or call the BBC Ticket Line on 0370 901
1227*
Have Your Say........
Copeland Visitors
Adult male Redpoll
Get free Tickets for BBC TV and Radio shows
Be in the audience at BBC One Northern Ireland's
live television broadcast. BBC NI ticket line on 0870 333
1918 , BBC NI textphone 08000 153350
Take a Tour of the BBC
A Tour of BBC, Broadcasting House, Ormeau
Avenue, Belfast, will provide you with a unique opportunity
to take a look "behind the scenes" at BBC Northern
Ireland. Possible tour areas will include*:
BBC Newsline Studio Floor, BBC NI Newsroom, Television Gallery
and more, CLICK
HERE for details
Travel from N. Ireland
Ulster travellers are spoilt for choice now that the expansion plans of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Ryanair have come to fruition.
At Aldergrove Aer Lingus has chosen Belfast for its UK base. A code share with British Airways will also give Aer Lingus a direct flight to Heathrow, and eight other destinations.
George Best City airport now has Europe's largest no-frills airline Ryanair. Also at City Airport, Flybe has revealed plans for a number of new direct routes to Europe.
Airlines & Ferries
Home
| Cove Bay Events | Copelands |
Local News | Community |
Photographs |
Trains
& Buses | HM
Coastguard | Free
Classifieds | Your
Say
Cove Bay.net © 2008 | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Bookmark this site!
This site listed in the
British Towns and Villages Encyclopaedia U.K. in the
entry for Groomsport