Knockinelder Bay (Kearney)

Knockinelder Bay is a good-sized crescent of sand and shingle towards the southern end of the Ards Peninsula. The beach here is sometimes referred to as Kearney after the 18th-century fishing village here.

The tidal range is quite large at Knockinelder and whilst the beach can be reduced to a narrow shingle strip at high tide, low tide reveals an expanse of firm flat sand. This makes it ideal for the local stables to bring their horses for a morning gallop.

On higher tides Knockinelder Bay is a popular spot for swimmers as it usually quite sheltered. When the cross-shore winds do get up it is of frequented by kite-surfers.

Much of the land surrounding Knockinelder Bay is owned by the National Trust ensuring it will be protected for future generations. The area was also used for filming the 2016 BBC series, My Mother and Other Strangers.