How a tiny Northern Irish town became a TV star and tourist magnet
When the BBC drama Hope Street first brought its cameras to Donaghadee five years ago, locals had no idea their quiet seaside town would become a destination for fans from as far away as Australia and America. Known on screen as the fictional Port Devine, this County Down gem—with its candy-colored houses, working lighthouse, and sweeping views of the Scottish coast—has seen a steady stream of visitors eager to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters.
Kathryn Strain, a member of the local sea swimming group the Chunky Dunkers, says the change has been unmistakable. "You hear tourists saying, 'Oh, that's where the police station was,' or 'This is so-and-so's house.' It's been great for the town, definitely." She and her friend Bridie McElhill have even appeared as extras in the show. Bridie notes, "People come to Donaghadee now to see all the locations. I do think it's put us on the map." The show's cast and crew have also been known to brave the chilly Irish Sea for a dip, though not all of them looked thrilled about it.
At the Stormy Cup cafe, manager Brooke Pennick recalls the early buzz when filming began. "For locals, seeing it happen right in front of their front doors, crowds gathering at the pier in the evenings to watch—it was such a special thing." Now, she says, tourists arrive asking about sets and logistics. "It's been wonderful." Down at Pier 36, general manager Sarah Cochrane adds that the pub, which doubles as the fictional Commodore in the drama, has welcomed visitors from America, Australia, and beyond. A local charity shop is even selling costumes from the show, letting fans take home a piece of Hope Street history.
The town's moment in the spotlight isn't over yet. A feature film, One of Our Own – A Hope Street Film, starring the late Finnian Garbutt, will hit cinemas across Northern Ireland this September, with a UK-wide release in October 2026, followed by a BBC airing. For Donaghadee, the cameras may eventually leave, but the visitors—and the stories—keep coming.