Bangor, County Down

Bangor is a seaside city and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast metropolitan area. It lies 13 miles east of Belfast city centre and is linked to it by the A2 road and the Belfast to Bangor railway line. The 2021 census recorded a population of 64,596. Bangor Abbey was an influential monastery founded in the 6th century by Saint Comgall, and the town grew in the 17th century during the Plantation of Ulster, when many Scottish settlers arrived. Tourism is important to the local economy, and Bangor Marina holds Blue Flag status. Bangor was granted city status in 2022 as part of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, becoming the sixth city of Northern Ireland.