Donaghadee, Co. Down during the Second World War

Donaghadee in a small town on the north-east of the Ards Peninsula. It lies about 18 miles east of Belfast and 6 miles south-east of Bangor, Co. Down. During the Second World War, the town was central to many activities taking place on Belfast Lough.

Two men from the town, one of whom was a member of the Donaghadee Lifeboat crew died in 1943 when “Miss Betty” sank in Belfast Lough. In nearby Millisle, Co. Down, Jewish refugees occupied Ballyrolly House and visited places such a the Regal Cinema for entertainment.

There are still signs of beach defences and structures such an air raid shelters scattered around the area. Of course, wartime history can often prove dangerous to explore. On 2nd November 2014, a suspected Second World War bomb washed up on the beach near Donaghadee. A British Army bomb disposal team carried out a controlled explosion before removing the device safely from the scene.