Downpatrick to Audley’s Castle - Lecale Way Trail

Start : St Patrick’s Centre. 53A Market St, Downpatrick (BT30 6LZ). The route starts along a series of tracks and country lanes.

(S) Begin by walking up North a flight of stone steps beside the entrance to the St Patrick Centre. This brings you to English Street. (130 m or so)

(1) Turn right (North-East) in English Street. Just 100m to the left lies Down Cathedral, and it’s well worth making the short detour to visit St Patrick’s grave at the left side of the building. Return down English Street and cross onto the pedestrian area at the bottom of Scotch Street.

(2) Follow this road uphill and where the main road swings right.

(3) Keep straight ahead (East). Pass through a gateway and follow a footpath up a hillside. This is Gallow’s Hill, and a 100m detour from the top of the path affords fine views across Downpatrick town.

(4) Join a road (Struell Road) and continue through a suburban housing estate. Follow the signs through four road junctions, and you’ll find yourself leaving Downpatrick along the Ballysallagh Road. (Around 1.5 Km)

(5) Turn right (South-East) in this minor country road is bordered by high hedgerows, and is typical of many of the quiet roads you’ll follow over the next two days. After two left turns you arrive at the route’s first off-road section reaching a junction after walking for around 3.8 Km.

(6) A grassy footpath leads past hedges, woodland and fields on its way to the charming clachan of Ballstokes. (Walk North for around 700 m)

(7) From here a grassy track takes a right turn (North-East), descending past the northern tip of Lough Money. (This part goes for around 3 Km up to Raholp.

(8) Cross straight over the next road (C281) in the village of Raholp and follow another track to a field, which you should cross diagonally to the right.

(9) At the next road (A25), turn left (North-West) taking care on the main Strangford Road. Head right after 130 m and continue for 400 m

(10) Then turn left (North) in Myra Road. Follow a series of minor country roads for 3 Km, passing the entrance to Myra Castle. Walk for 2.5 Km in total to reach A25.

(11) Turn left at the next two junctions, again taking care due to traffic on the main Strangford Road (A25), then a further 3 Km of walking brings you along the stone wall marking the National Trust estate of Castle Ward to an informal parking area near Audley’s Castle. (E)

Start : St Patrick’s Centre. 53A Market St, Downpatrick (BT30 6LZ). The route starts along a series of tracks and country lanes.

Driving to start & parking : Once in Downpatrick follow the road signs for the St Patrick’s Centre. There is a free car park and several pay car parks within 300 metres of the start point at the St Patrick’s Centre. 53A Market St, Downpatrick (BT30 6LZ).

Arrival : Audley's Castle (BT30 7LP), Castle Ward Shore Car Park (for trails), near to Park Road

Terrain : Varried surfaced

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Toilets, accommodation and refreshments are available all the way along the walk including the village of Downpatrick

Dog Policy : Dogs must be on leads at all times on the route.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
The Lecale area has a strong association with St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. This route begins just metres from his grave, and passes within a kilometre of Ireland’s first church at Saul, and the country’s most extensive Holy Well complex at Struell Wells. St Patrick founded both places, and you’ll pass several similar sites as you progress along the walk.