Seaside town named NI’s Best Place to Live by Sunday Times
The 2023 winner has been crowned
Last updated 24th Mar 2023
Donaghadee has been named as the Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland in this year’s Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
The County Down seaside town takes the title from 2022 winner Ballycastle.
Judges praised Donaghadee for its "thriving high street, beautiful seaside location and the lively spirit on display in its regular festivals or community groups such as the cold-water swimmers the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers".
Helen Davies, the editor of Best Places to Live 2023, said, “All the joy of living by the sea surrounded by a friendly community is what you get in this colourful seaside town. It has been attracting attention, from viewers of the BBC daytime TV drama Hope Street, but it’s also in demand by commuters from Belfast and beyond who are happy to add a few extra miles to their journey in return for clean seas to swim in, beautiful views and a lively community that comes out in force for the summer and Christmas festivals.”
Three locations in Northern Ireland are featured in the 2023 guide, which includes 72 locations across the UK.
Wadhurst in East Sussex was named the overall winner of Best Places to Live.
The Sunday Times’ expert judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.
Here’s what judges has to say about the three Northern Ireland locations making the list:
Winner: Donaghadee, Co Down
This colourful seaside town has been attracting attention, both from viewers of the BBC daytime TV drama Hope Street, but it’s also in demand commuters from Belfast and beyond who are happy to add a few extra miles to their journey in return for clean seas to swim in, beautiful views and a lively community that comes out in force for the summer and Christmas festivals.
Belfast, Ormeau
Like the city itself, Belfast’s best suburb is bursting with hospitality. The Upper Ormeau Road is now lined with an extraordinary selection of top-notch restaurants and coffee shops, but its traditional pubs are still going strong, too. A good choice of attractive Victorian homes, excellent schools and lovely parks make it a perfect location for family life, with all the fun of downtown Belfast within easy walking distance.
Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
Access to the wild and wonderful watery playground of Lough Erne is what puts this handsome historic town ahead of the crowd. It’s not its only advantage. It also has a lively, independent town centre with a good mix of practical and interesting shops, as well as a choice of good golf courses and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life.
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