Barr Hall Barns are situated on the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula 3.5 miles south of Portaferry and overlook Barr Hall Bay which is protected by the National Trust. It is a seal basking location. The barns also look out onto, the Narrows and the Barmouth with its turbulent currents that prompted the Viking invaders to name the entrance to Strangford Lough as the "Strang Fiord". The Lough is a site of Special Scientific Interest and of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The surrounding shoreline is managed by the National Trust. On the other side lies the Lecale area and views from the site stretch to the Mourne Mountains in clear weather.
The Strangford Lough area is steeped in history. It boasts 4th century Christian associations with the presence of St Patrick around Downpatrick and the Lecale area. Its coastline is dotted with abbey ruins and early Christian sites which were ruined by Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. Thereafter is a Norman legacy of fortified castles and houses around parts of the Lough all associated with the De Courcy family and their feudal retainers.
The Barns are located -
· 31 miles from Belfast City Airport
· 31 miles from Belfast ferry port
· 50 miles from Belfast International Airport
· 120 miles from Dublin city and airport.
A Brief History
Local records indicate that there have been buildings on this site from the late 1600's. The builder himself is supposed to have been buried in Slanes Cemetery near Cloghy in or about 1704. The road alongside the site used to run diagonally through the yard as indicated by a late 18th century survey map.The lands and property at Barr Hall appear to have been in the possession of the Savage/Nugent family from the early 1600's until sold as a farm in or about 1935.
During that period until 1935 Barr Hall is thought to have been the principal residence of the Savage family in the Upper Ards. There are consistent records of the rent roll due to them from the surrounding townlands.
Links
Tel: +44 (0)28 4272 9895 Fax: +44 (0)28 4272 8053 e-mail info@barrhallbarns.com
Proprietor: Dr M Edmondson
