2004 LASER
RADIAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Laser Radial Open & Women's European Championship
Laser Radial Youth European Championship
23 - 31 July
2004 (1st race 26 July)
Ballyholme YC, Bangor, (near Belfast), N.Ireland
GENERAL INFORMATION / TRAVEL
BANGOR
Situated 12 miles to the east of Belfast, on the southern shore at the mouth
of Belfast Lough. Bangor has long been known as a favourite seaside resort.
Belfast: 12 miles
Belfast City Airport (BHD): 9 miles
Belfast International Airport (BFS): 30 miles
Belfast Ferry Terminals: 12 miles
Larne Harbour: 36 miles
TRAVEL
| By Air - |
Belfast City Airport
(BHD) is located about 20 minutes drive from Bangor (Direct flights
from London Heathrow and many UK and continental regional airports)
[Airlines: British Airways, British Midland, Flybe, etc.] |
| By Rail - | High-speed trains run regularly between Belfast & Dublin. Trains also run from Belfast Great Victoria St & Central Station to Bangor). |
| By Sea - |
The quickest crossing
from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is the 90 minute Stena HSS from
Stranraer (Scotland) direct to Belfast - |
HOW
TO GET TO BALLYHOLME YACHT CLUB BY
ROAD
From the North
- Follow the M2 motorway into Belfast, leading onto the M3 motorway.
- Then follow directions BELFAST to BALLYHOLME YC (below)
From Belfast
Ferry Terminals
- Follow the 'Way Out' signs into Belfast city.
- Follow signs for "City Airport & Bangor" (these will direct
you to the left) leading onto the M3 motorway.
- Follow this route, which takes you up an incline onto the elevated highway.
If possible, move to the right-hand lane. At the top the road merges with
the M3 forming an elevated four-lane highway for a short interval. Move into
one of the two right-hand lanes of these four.
- Then follow directions BELFAST to BALLYHOLME YC (below)
From the
South & West
- Follow the main route into Belfast leading onto the M1 motorway.
- At Belfast, follow the signs for the M2 & M3 for 'the North & Airports'
- this will take you 'straight through' two roundabouts onto the Westlink
dual carriageway - just follow the road ahead, ie don't turn off !
- After the second roundabout (at Grosvenor Road) is passed, you will pass
under two bridges.Move to the right-hand lane at the second bridge (Clifton
Street) and follow the signs for the "M3, City Airport & Bangor",
which will take you off to the right and downhill across another junction.
- Follow this route, which takes you up an incline onto the elevated highway.
If possible, move to the right-hand lane. At the top the road merges with
the M3 motorway, forming an elevated four-lane highway for a short interval.
Move into one of the two right-hand lanes of these four.
- Then follow directions BELFAST to BALLYHOLME YC (below)
BELFAST
to BALLYHOLME YC
- Follow the signs for "City Airport & Bangor".
Continue on the M3 motorway over the elevated section and, on reaching ground
level again the road becomes renumbered as "A2" and is still signposted
"City Airport & Bangor". Follow this main road past the City
Airport and keep to the left-hand lanes on the approach to a large roundabout.
Exit, bearing slightly left, following signs for "Bangor". Continue
on this main road for a further 8 miles (13 kms).
- On arrival in Bangor keep to the main road and keep straight on at the traffic
lights and two roundabouts in Abbey Street, passing the bus and train station
on your left. Continue straight on, through more sets of traffic lights (Main
Street) and down a hill towards Bangor Marina. On the way down the hill get
into the left-hand lane and, at the T-junction at the bottom of the hill,
turn right and keep to the left lane. Follow this road past the entrances
to the marina and harbour (on your left) until reaching a mini-roundabout.
Bear right and the road narrows into single-lane, with speed ramps (Seacliff
Road). Follow along this coast road and Ballyholme Yacht Club is on the left.
HISTORY
Bangor Abbey:- Founded in 558 AD by Saint Comgall, Bangor Abbey is a must
to any visitor to the town. Look in the graveyard and see if you have any
relatives from Old Bangor. See the memorial stone to the ship's surgeon from
The Titanic. Just generally look around and see the history of Bangor unfold
before your eyes in the head stones. See inside the Abbey and gaze at the
mural by Kenneth Webb which depicts the Ascending Christ giving His missionary
command. Look at one of the oldest structures in Bangor, Malachy's Wall. Look
around and just feel the history of the town unfolding. All in all, a must
for the historical fact finder. More about the Abbey can be seen at the Heritage
Centre in Castle Park behind the Town Hall.
Heritage Centre:- For those who want to find out a bit more about Bangor's
heritage, this is the place to be. With displays and live shows all year round
this can be one of the more informative stops for any visitor to the town.
Admission is free and the staff are always there to help with any queries.
There are tea/coffee facilities available to help you relax after taking all
the information in.
THE BEACH
Not in Bangor itself but just around the corner at Ballyholme, a residential
part of the town. This beach stretches from Seacliff Road to Ballymacormick
Point. Great for walking along, water sports, bird watching and just generally
relaxing on when the weather is fine. There is also Ballyholme Common where
the children can play and the parents can sit and watch. Just the right place
to go for the more peaceful day out in Bangor.
Coastal Path to Crawfordsburn/Helens Bay:- A lovely coastal path that takes
you from Bangor's sea front to Crawfordsburn Beach and on to Helen's Bay.
This walk is a delight especially on a day when there is sunshine and a slight
breeze coming off the shore. Stop off at either Stricklands Glen and walk
back to Bangor via the Bangor Lawn Tennis Club or walk on to Crawfordsburn
and stop to visit the Education Centre and learn about the wildlife that abounds
in the area. Alternatively, for the more adventurous, go on to Helens Bay,
so named after Lady Helen of Dufferin.
SHOPPING
For the visitor to the town, shopping is well covered. There are shops of
all types:
Bloomfields Shopping Centre on the ring road, where there is a large selection
of major shops and stores;
Clandeboye Retail Park, again on the ring road;
Springhill Shopping Centre, the first purpose-built shopping mall built in
Northern Ireland, situated in Bangor West;
Flagship Shopping Centre, right in the town centre;
Large numbers of independent retail outlets, offering a vast range of products.
WEATHER
Weather
Link for Bangor
INFORMATION
Tourist Information Centre, Tower House, 34 Quay Street, BANGOR BT20 5ED -
www.northdowntourism.com
Tel: +44 28 9127 0069 E-mail: bangor@nitic.com