Strangford Lough — P4/P6 Geography
A P4-P6 geography resource on Strangford Lough — Northern Ireland's largest sea inlet, a RAMSAR international wetland, its wildlife, and the communities around it.
Preview
Page count: 2. Print-ready PDF — letter / A4 friendly. Click image to see all pages.
Strangford Lough
- 1 What Strangford Lough is A large sea inlet (sea lough/estuary) on the east coast of County Down, Northern Ireland. About 150 km² of tidal water, separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. Linked to the sea through a narrow strait (the Narrows) at Portaferry.
- 2 The Narrows The channel between Strangford and Portaferry is very narrow — about 400 metres — but carries huge volumes of water as the tide floods and ebbs. One of the fastest tidal flows in Europe.
- 3 RAMSAR site Designated as a RAMSAR site (international wetland of global importance) in 1992. Also an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a Marine Nature Reserve. One of the most legally protected areas in NI.
- 4 Wildlife 150,000+ wading birds and wildfowl in winter (Brent geese from Arctic Canada, curlews, redshanks, oystercatchers). Harbour seals and grey seals. Common dolphins. Basking sharks in summer. Rich seabed life.
- 5 Tidal energy The strong tidal flow through the Narrows was used to trial SeaGen — the world's first commercial tidal stream turbine (2008-2018). Strangford was a global first in tidal energy generation.
- 6 Communities Towns and villages around the lough: Strangford, Portaferry, Downpatrick (nearby — St Patrick's grave), Greyabbey (ruined Cistercian abbey, 1193), Newtownards, Scrabo Tower (prominent landmark).
- 7 Saint Patrick connection Downpatrick Cathedral claims to be the burial place of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland). The area around Strangford Lough is closely associated with Patrick's mission in Ireland.
Learning objective
Locate Strangford Lough; describe its RAMSAR protected status; identify key wildlife; explain tidal energy at the Narrows; name communities around the lough; connect to Saint Patrick.
About this resource
Strangford Lough resources
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For schools
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N NI National Trust education resources — free at nationaltrust.org.uk
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D DK Eyewitness: Ocean (marine reserves section) — DK
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