The Ards Peninsula (from Irish: Aird Uladh, meaning "peninsula of the Ulstermen") is a peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland that separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea on the north-east coast of Ireland. Several towns and villages are located on it, including Donaghadee, Newtownards and Portaferry. Newtownards is considered to be the largest conurbation, as the larger town of Bangor, which is also geographically located on the north end of the peninsula, is excluded from the Ards district (part of the larger Borough of Ards). The peninsula has a mild marine microclimate, with dry and fertile soils suitable for extensive agriculture. The Ards Peninsula contains, near Portavogie, the most easterly point on the island of Ireland.