Lecale Way
The Lecale Way section explores the heavily indented shoreline of County Down, a coast rich in history and wildlife. From the start in Strangford, it journeys south for 40 miles through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along quiet roads, beaches and delightful stretches of coastal path, to finish in the seaside resort of Newcastle.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down | 31 miles (50 km) | Sheets 21 & 29 | Quiet roads, coastal paths and beaches. |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Strangford | Newcastle | Starts at J589497 Ends at J376309 | Strangford, Cloughy Rocks, Kilclief Castle, Ballyhornan, Ardglass, Killough, St John’s Point, Tyrella, Ballykinler, Clough, Dundrum, Newcastle |
Route Description
Evidence of very early settlement, dated to the early Mesolithic period around 7000BC, has been found around Strangford Lough. Much later St Patrick used the area around Downpatrick as a base from which to spread Christianity throughout the rest of Ireland. Arriving in 432AD, he built his first church in Ireland at Saul, a few miles from the start of this walk.
The name Lecale was ascribed to the area in the 8th century and is derived from the Irish Leath Cathail meaning 'Cathal's territory' after one of the Ulidians or 'Princes of Ulster'. However it was the Normans who left the most indelible mark on the cultural landscape following their arrival in 1177. The many castles and tower houses that can be seen on the Lecale Way are a legacy of this invasion. Even today, some of the local surnames are Norman in origin.
The natural history of Lecale is just as interesting. The route begins on the shores of Strangford Lough, which is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, covering 150 sq km. 400 million tonnes of water flow in and out of the lough twice every day through the narrow tidal channel between Strangford and Portaferry. This is probably the source of its original Viking name Strangfjörthr, which translates from the Old Norske and means sea inlet with strong currents.
Strangford Lough is Northern Ireland’s most important coastal site for wintering waterfowl and is also particularly important for breeding terns. The Lough has been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) due to its internationally important populations of birds. These include large numbers of light-bellied brent geese, knot and redshank.
The headland at Killard is also a Nature Reserve and Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), comprising a dune-grassland rich in flora, including several species of orchid. Not far south of here, a section of the Ballyhornan Coastal Path is another ASSI. The Sheepland Coast, as it is known, is especially rich in coastal wildflowers and is being actively managed to protect species diversity.
Just north of Killough the route crosses a bridge over a channel connecting Killough Bay and Strand Lough. Both are designated ASSI’s forming a linked tidal lough, swamp, fen and wet meadows. The area is an important over-wintering site for many birds, supporting nationally significant numbers of Brent geese.
Close to the end of the route the Lecale Way passes through the heart of Murlough National Nature Reserve, a fragile 6000 year old sand dune system that provides the best and most extensive example of dune heath in Ireland. In fact this was Ireland’s first Nature Reserve, and of the 22 butterfly species to be found here, the Marsh Fritillary is of European importance. The Dundrum inner and outer bays are also vital for wintering birds and Ballykinler beach is a haul-out site for Common and Grey seals.
