Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland

Castle Espie

Tel: +44 28 9187 4146

Run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands trust, Castle Espie is a bird sanctuary on the shores of Strangford Lough; this fantastic sanctuary prides themselves on the congregation of the ducks, geese and swans, which are actually the largest group of ducks, geese, and swans in Ireland! Why not pick up a feedbag and attract the birds right up to your hand. There's a gift shop and a restaurant with lakeside views serving hot and cold snacks. The sanctuary is open every day of the year except Christmas day, and is worth visiting in winter for sightings of Icelandic swans.