Portpatrick

Today's the day …………………….. to be beside the sea

This is the little coastal town of Portpatrick where we stayed last night.  It's a lively little place with a variety of hotels, guesthouses, shops and other buildings set around the sandy, crescent-shaped harbour (see extra).  

According to that well-known source - in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Portpatrick was an important ferry port for passengers, postal mail and freight between Ireland and Scotland, the town was described as the 'Gretna Green'  for Ireland. There was a daily packet boat from Donaghadee, and marriages for couples from Ireland were conducted by the Church of Scotland minister in Portpatrick.  Rumour has it also that the rules about the publication of banns or the required period of residence were often overlooked. 

In fact, it seems that happy couples could disembark, complete the ceremony, and be back on board within an hour...………………..