The Lecale and Downe Historical Society is based in Downpatrick, the county town of Down in Northern Ireland. From January 2025, the Society’s meetings return to Down County Museum on the historic Mall, close to Down Cathedral and the Southwell School.

Lecale, centred on Downpatrick, is the historic barony that includes Strangford, Saul, Inch, Ardglass, Killough and Dundrum (see the map below, kindly created by one of our members, Mr William Stranney). The Lecale & Downe Historical Society is one of the longer established and most consistently active local historical societies in Northern Ireland. The Society is a registered charity with the aim of assisting the community by promoting the study of its history and the environment. Membership is open to all who subscribe to its aims. Members are entitled to attend the lecture programme and other events organised by the Society, and to participate in the elections of Trustees. Members also receive a free copy of the annual journal, Lecale Review.

The name Lecale is derived from the ancient Gaelic Leath Cathail, meaning Cathal's portion; Cathal being a prince of Uladh about 700 A.D. Until about 200 years ago, when the first sea barriers were constructed and drainage began, the sea - Strangford Lough, the Irish Sea and Dundrum Bay - almost encircled the whole of the area.

On one of our low hills stands a statue of St Patrick, symbolically looking out from Lecale into the rest of Ireland. It commemorates the fact that this was an area central to the patron saint's mission. Today the land surrounding the market town of Downpatrick, with its ancient cathedral, is still largely rural. Within Lecale the principal occupations are centred on farming, fishing, tourism, and the service industries.

From Bronze Age settlements to tower houses, the ‘big house’ and pauperised labouring families, the history of Lecale and Down continues to fascinate and educate. The Lecale & Downe Society keeps interest in our shared past alive and we invite you to join us in our endeavours. 

President

Dr Finbar McCormick

Trustees

Ken Dawson (Chair)

John Surginor (Vice Chair) 

Ken Morrison (Secretary) 

Stephen Magorrian (Treasurer)

George Caffrey

Berkley Farr

Anne Liggett

John McManus

Ken Tait

General enquiries:

Contact the Society at lecalehistory@hotmail.com

Contact the Secretary at Ken_Morrison14@yahoo.co.uk

The Society's constitution is currently under review.