The A23 is an 8.7 mile long road in County Down

County Down

-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...

, in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. The route starts in near the Short Strand

Short Strand

The Short Strand is a mainly-nationalist area in east Belfast, surrounded by a mainly-unionist area. It is within the townland of Ballymacarret and sits on the east bank of the River Lagan in County Down.-Security issues:...

 district in east Belfast

Belfast

Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...

 and follows the Castlereagh Road through the southeastern suburbs of the city. Upon passing through the A55 Outer Ring Road

A55 road (Northern Ireland)

The A55 road forms Belfast's outer-ring road. It links many of the main arterial routes within the city as well as creating a bypass of the often congested city centre and problematic A12 Westlink...

, the A23 becomes the Ballygowan Road. It passes through the Castlereagh Hills and Roselawn Cemetery

Roselawn Cemetery

Roselawn Cemetery is a large cemetery on the outskirts of Belfast. It opened in 1954. It is on the Ballygowan Road. George Best was buried here on December 3rd 2005 after his death in November. The cemetery is maintained by the Belfast City Council.-Notable Graves:George Best - Plot No...

, where northern Irish footballer George Best is buried, and finishes in the village of Ballygowan

Ballygowan

Ballygowan is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Borough of Ards. The town of Comber is a short distance to the north-east, the town of Saintfield to the south, and the city of Belfast a further distance to the north-west. It had a population of 2,671 people...

 at a roundabout with the A21

A21 road (Ireland)

The A21 is a road in County Down in Northern Ireland. The route commences in Bangor, passing through Newtownards, Comber, and Ballygowan, and finishes on the northern outskirts of Ballynahinch....

.