Island 292 - Sketrick Island, Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland

Sketrick Island is linked to the western shore of Strangford Lough half a mile to the north of Whiterock by a causeway, which is accessible at all states of the tide.  The island is about 600 metres from east to west and 500 metres from north to south.  The public road ends at the island end of the causeway.  The island has a restaurant/bar called Daft Eddy's, which is adjacent to a coffee shop.  I only visited the coffee shop and their millionaire's shortbread was excellent.  I was there on a Sunday lunchtime and the car park was full, so Daft Eddy's is presumably very popular.

Sketrick Island also has a castle, which you can explore.  It is a tower house and was probably originally built in the mid 15th century, although the present building may date from the 16th century.  In the 16th century it was actively involved in warfare.  It was originally 4 stories high and it remained largely intact until half of it collapsed in a storm in 1896.

There is public access along a track round the northern shore of the island for a few hundred metres and then there is a permissive footpath up the hill.  I don't know if the footpath goes anywhere, as the field was full of cows, so I didn't venture across it.  I suspect you have to walk back the same way, as the track found the south side of the island is private.  There are quite a few houses marked on the map along it.

 Sketrick Castle 

 Causeway to the mainland from Sketrick Island

 Northern side of Sketrick Island

 Another private road

 Daft Eddy's Restaurant

 Island Coffee Shop

There is apparently an oyster farm on the island