Location: Dundonald
Top Things to do in Dundonald
10 Things to Do in Dundonald That You Shouldn't Miss
Dundonald (from Irish: Dún Dónaill, meaning "Dónall's stronghold") is a large settlement and civil parish in County Down. It lies east of Belfast and is often deemed to be a suburb of the city. It includes the large housing estate of Ballybeen, and the many new housing estates that have emerged in the last few years. John de Courcey established a keep including a motte and Bailey in the 12th century. This is now known as Moat Park and can be accessed from Church Green, Comber Road and the Upper Newtownards Road.
Restaurants in Dundonald
1. Clip 'n Climb Dundonald
Overall Ratings
5 based on 207 reviews
Clip n Climb is based at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Pass reception and head left into the main arena where you will find our reception desk on your left along with the Starbucks coffee dock. We are closed on Monday's, but we are open all day on every bank holiday and school holidays. We will also open up out of hours for groups of 10 or more climbers.
Reviewed By Sara M
Went evening midweek which was perfect for the two 7 year olds as it was quiet. This meant they nearly got one to one with the instructor. Kathy was so encouraging to the children, guiding them to the walls that would suit them best as...MoreGreat to hear you had good experience with us and you were lucky enough to have Kathy guiding your two 7 year olds on our walls. Thank you and we will hopefully see you again soon.
2. Titanic Belfast
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
The Titanic Belfast visitor attraction extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition. Drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features you will explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day in the Ocean Exploration Centre.
Reviewed By Maddy R
I have been to several museums but NONE like this one. The building itself is a fascinating build with a reason behind every design choice. The structure perfectly compliments the grandeur that the Titanic once was and the city truly celebrates its shipbuilding successes.
The first part covers early days in Belfast and how it because the world leader in ship building. It then covers in great detail the rise and fall of the Titanic using inventive ways to keep you interested.
There is a ride you can chose to go on (included in the cost) which lets experience what it was like building the ship. There is also a cinema screening near the end of the museum which shows how they discovered the Titanic shipwreck. You can also look up names on the official deceased record.
The ticket also includes entry to the ship Nomadic located across the road from the museum. This boat played an important role in both World Wars and is well worth a visit.
The museum took about 2 hours and I would recommend the audio tour and you get told extra facts and keeps you move and a pace.
3. Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
Explore thatched cottages, farms, schools and shops as you experience life from over 100 years ago. Chat to costumed visitor guides as they demonstrate traditional crafts and meet farm animals in the beautiful parkland of the Folk Museum. Discover more than 500 original artefacts at TITANICa, climb on and off majestic steam locomotives and explore horse drawn carriages, electric trams, boats, motorbikes, fire-engines and vintage cars in the Transport Museum.
Reviewed By Paul S
The folk and transport museums are separate.
From stepping into the old sweetshop, to the labourers houses, to seeing how the priest and bank manager lived in relative luxury, it was eye opening to see how differently people lived in the same community. Allow three hours to do the full tour but there are plenty of shortcuts you can take if you need to. There are usually local experts like the printer and the wicker man, but I would have loved to see a carrier or a blacksmith.
The transport museum is a transporters heaven but it is fun for normal people as well. They understandably make a big deal of the Delorean and other cars built in NI but I would have liked to have seen more on motorbikes, racing, and aviation.
4. Scrabo Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By RCPO - Vancouver, Canada
This site, hard by sunset, is a photographer’s delight. Lines, colours, horizon, subject matter, rule of 3’s, on and on.
A good clamber upward warns your spirit and provides context for the importance of this tower.
And the views of the slough & general aviation Airport are stunning.
5. Hydro-Ease
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
We are the ONLY specialist floatation centre in Ireland, we also offer 1-1 work around Neuro Linguistics, Hypnotherapy, Time line therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and many other approaches to life coaching/change management
Reviewed By DenisWilliam - Belfast, United Kingdom
I have now had 2 floats and the third one booked. It is a wonderful experience. You leave completely refreshed and relaxed. The hour goes in so fast. This place is very clean and well organised. Give it a go !Thank you for your lovely feedback, look forward to seeing you for float No3 :)
6. Crawfordsburn Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By Anne S - Belfast, United Kingdom
I am lucky enough to live near this great amenity. I use it on a very regular basis to walk my dogs. The park offers lots of amenities including a exhibition centre and Cafe.
There are running trails and woodland walks. Two beautiful Beaches complete the picturesque area
7. Dundonald Omniplex
Overall Ratings
4 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Steve_In_Ulster - Belfast, United Kingdom
Really enjoyed my visit to this cinema. I went here because I was eating in the one of the Nearby restaurants so for handiness sake decided to come to this cinema.
Staff were pleasant and friendly. cinema was clean and unlike some others I have been too didn't smell like nachos as soon as you walk in the door. Comfortable chairs good choice of movies. Only reason it was 5 stars for me is my usual cinema I frequent was a pound cheaper per ticket. But if I was in this area again I would Gladly come back to this cinema.
8. Dundonald International Ice Bowl
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By Nambarie S - Belfast, United Kingdom
Indiana land is one of the first facilities of this kind around here, it's been operating for many years now. I think it's great lots of fun my kids love it. Has tube slides and a multi lane open slide. Has rope bridge . It's still got the free fall slide as well although there is an age restriction and a staff member ensures no little ones try it which is very reassuring. My kids are still too young for it.
Many of the newer soft plays are for younger kids only like funky monkeys but inidiana land lets them in a little older which is great for families with multiple ages as you can all go together. If you have only one toddler or younger child I recommend attending in the mornings at the weekend as it's much quieter for the little ones.
I have always found the staff pleasant here . There are vending machines and you can also get things from behind a counter too my kids love the ice slushies. My son attended a birthday party here and it all went over very smoothly.
9. HMS Caroline
Overall Ratings
5 based on 384 reviews
Much of HMS Caroline has undergone extensive restoration to her 1916 appearance from the Battle of Jutland. Visitors can discover a wide range of historic spaces, including the Captain's Cabin, Royal Marines Mess, and Seamen's Wash as well as the very important engine room, sick-bay and galley kitchen. During their visit, visitors will discover the importance of the Battle of Jutland, learning what life at sea was like the over three hundred crew who served on board HMS Caroline during 1916. Visit the Torpedo School and explore the role of naval weaponry; peruse the Virtual Access Suite a contemporary, comfortable space where all visitors can explore the ship; Grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink in the Mess Deck Cafe, and finally visit the Gift Shop, to bring home a reminder of your visit to HMS Caroline.
Reviewed By Gauldie2015 - Dundee, United Kingdom
Important link and tribute to our historical past in war, in ship building and the locale/many people responsible for it's construction, operation and now availability to us. A very worthwhile visit here.
10. Crumlin Road Gaol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from when women and children were held within it's walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.During the tour of the gaol you will be taken by your tour guide to visit the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, you will get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair, view all the wings from the circle and of course pay a visit to the condemned mans cell before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged.
Reviewed By susan2909 - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
What a fantastic tour. Well worth the money. The guide was really interesting and informative...Trish/Trisha was brilliant. Tour lasted just over an 1hr. Very cold inside & out. The execution chamber is grim but informative.
If you take the hop on/off bus be sure to get your voucher for a discount on the your.
The cocktails in the cafe are great.
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