Paddy’s Point – Strangford Lough and Castle Espie

Meet at Waddell’s Hill car park (Grid ref J490673) at 6.30 on Thursday 6th June. This can be reached by turning left off Ballydrain Road just before reaching Castle Espie WWT (look out for a rough wooden bench on the corner). We will gather into as few cars as possible before moving on to Ringneill Quay (Grid ref. J523654) where there is parking for just two or three vehicles. From there we will walk only about a kilometre north-west to Paddy’s Point, but we will be looking at things on the shore on the way.

Carboniferous limestone quarries at Castle Espie are now flooded and home for ducks, but along the shore to the south-east, as far as Reagh Island, are abundant blocks of Castle Espie limestone. Numerous other rock types, and some unexpected fossils, found on the shore provide clues to the Carboniferous, and glacial, history of this region.

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This is an intertidal shore strewn with rocks (mostly small) and maybe some seaweed, but it should be fairly easy going on the shore if stout footwear is worn. Walking poles may be useful. Other clothing based on weather forecast. We should be out for about 2 hours.

Lat – Long details
Waddell’s Hill car park 54.532268, -5.6986881
Ringneill Quay 54.514231, -5.6487305