Print pageHow to get here
By road
The reserve is signposted from Aghalee village. Despite other, more direct, routes, the following method is recommended for first time visitors.
From the M1 motorway come off at Junction 9, Moira roundabout, and head up the A26 towards the International Airport and Antrim. Go under the railway bridge and pass the Glenavy Road Service Station on the right. Take the second road on the left. It is signposted Aghalee. This is the Soldierstown Road. Go to Aghalee.
From the north, travel towards Moira down the A26 as far as the Soldierstown Road, signposted Aghalee and go to Aghalee.
From the Soldierstown Road at Aghalee Village turn left at the T-junction as signposted and head into the village. After a slight bend in the road, before the shops and petrol station turn right into the Ballycairn Road which is signposted Portmore Lough Reserve. Note sometimes the sign becomes bent in the wrong direction by lorries so be careful.
Stay on the Ballycairn Road for approx 3 miles until a T-junction. Opposite is the Gawleys Gate Inn. Here turn right and follow this straight road for approx 1 mile until a series of bends. After these bends RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve is signposted to the right, up Georges Island Road. At a sharp left hand bend, at the top of Georges Island Road, turn right up a track beside a white gable wall. This will lead to the entrance of the Reserve.
Sat nav POI file
If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.