Legends of Lecale Peninsula

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Legends of Lecale Peninsula

Experience the coastline and hills of the Home of Saint Patrick Duane Fitzsimons is your local guide for unlocking the story of Saint Patrick.

Leading folklore walks on Saint Patrick's Way in the aspiring Mourne Gullion Strangford Global Geopark

04/11/2024

One of the darkest stories from the area

183 likes, 34 comments. “Will of the Wisp and my gut feeling of being watched by an uneasy spirit”

29/10/2024

Look who will be walking the streets of Downpatrick this Halloween night. Tickets are free and can be got here: https://www.lecalepeninsula.com/events/the-return-of-high-sheriff-ward-5

27/10/2024

The High Sheriff returns this Thursday evening for Halloween for a free family friendly ghost tour

Downpatrick Community Collective Visit Downpatrick - the Home of Saint Patrick

Free family friendly ghost tour in Downpatrick

26/10/2024

21/10/2024

One of the stories which will be told on Saturday’s walk of the Ardglass cliffs

https://www.lecalepeninsula.com/events/legends-from-lecales-spectacular-coast-16

12/08/2024

This Saturday I will will doing a tour on behalf of Denvir’s taking in the Mound of Down, Museum and Cathedral

Buy tickets for Denvirs Of Downpatrick's upcoming events. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

06/08/2024

On a fateful day 9 years ago I dabbled into my first tour. Back then recording things on your phone was less of a thing to be doing! Since then I have been on one heck of a journey. Some great customers have come along too!

13/07/2024

This time next weekend our walking tour will be taking place hosted by Fitzsimons - it's time to claim your tickets https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/denvirsofdownpatrick/walking-tour/e-eqyrdd

13/06/2024

Show your appreciation for Stephen and Celine! Back in April they booked with me for their walking group in Ardglass. They were inspired by the story of Aubrey William Beaucleark who lived at Ardglass Castle but were disheartened to see how forgotten his grave had become. This was the man who broke the heart of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. Aubrey was the Grandson of William Ogilvie who rebuilt Ardglass from its medieval ruins. at his grandfather’s hand he learned how to look after his tenants and was so beloved that when his boat came in to the harbour huge parties would be thrown with dancing into the small hours. They even lit and carried tar barrels around the town! Aubrey was a chartist MP for Sussex and stood for the abolition of slavery. He died suddenly at Ardglass aged 54 and was buried in the church built by his grandfather.

22/05/2024

When a cat steals the moment. Recently during the market testing the photographer captured this beautiful cat

05/05/2024

Bringing in the catch on the May Day. Walking the pilgrim path to Saint Patrick’s Well to drown the mayflower hoping for good tidings for another year.

03/05/2024

Still looking for something to do tomorrow? There’s a handful of £25 tickets left for the May Day walk

A walk of the Sheepland cliffs for May Day

30/04/2024

On a recent tour I was asked to provide the local’s view to Saint Patrick by Prof. Em. Alan Ford of Nottingham University. We started with the landing point, followed by Saint Tassach’s Church, Saul Chapel to see the Harry Clarke windows and altar stone, Saul Church, Struell Wells. We paused for a delicious lunch in Denvir’s and rounded off the day at the Cathedral and Grave.

We had a mixed bag of Irish weather. I loved the lightness in the rain clouds as we came down from Slieve Patrick. Alan was surprised to discover that it’s Charles Frederick D’Arcy’s likeness on the statue given he was the Anglican archbishop and this is the Roman Catholic National Monument!

23/04/2024

On Saturday we embarked on the first voyage through the centuries with the Ardglass Vikings. I told tales of the village with its six castles and the people who called it home. Along the way we enjoyed some ginger bread and potted “hurn” (herring to you, but that’s another story). No filters required, the sun did shine!

15/04/2024

Some of the views to expect on Saturday’s Voyage through the centuries

https://www.lecalepeninsula.com/events/voyage-through-the-centuries

14/04/2024

We’ve got some news!

Be the first to enjoy this brand new experience in Ardglass this Saturday, 20 April

09/04/2024

Still a few early bird tickets available for this Saturday’s walk celebrating Tassach and Dichu. These two people were instrumental in the success of Saint Patrick’s return to Ireland

Walk to the place Saint Patrick arrived and changed the story of Ireland forever

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Videos

Continuing to search for the lost South East Ulster dialect of Irish

Retelling this one for Christmas

How do you gather evidence for a lost dialect? Placenames have proven the key! Video cut slightly short but the main body is here rest can be found on TikTok

The debate is going on TikTok. What do you reckon have I rediscovered the Lecale/ East Down dialect?

What have I uncovered here?

As 2024 closes and 2025 is set to begin lets take a look at the highlights of my decade in tour guiding. (Where did the time go?) first steps, book written, putting the feet up for a Viking boat tour, guests from France, Germany and North America. Podcasts, tv appearances and much more! #storyofirelandstartshere #ireland #embraceagiantspirit #mournegullionstrangford

A lost ancient holy well that was part of the Saul Abbey

Things rediscovered from the creepy attic

Lecale packs a lot into the Ulster Museum

Anybody remember this from ages ago? Love to rewatch it over and over myself!

The uncle who wrote the local history - Part 2 #storyofirelandstartshere #visitmourne #embraceagiantspirit #mournegullionstrangford

Have you ever heard that you die three times? #storyofirelandstartshere #visitmourne #mournegullionstrangford #ancestry

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Our Story

A series of walks exploring the Home of Saint Patrick. Duane offers tours of heritage towns and longer walks along the coastline and through the hills. Each walk unlocks part of the story of Saint Patrick.

Each event is tailored bringing to life the folklore and traditions of Ireland and explore the Ulster Cycle of Mythology. Original artefacts are incorporated into each walk giving you an unique insight into the area’s rich heritage.

Originally beginning as a blog in 2012, Duane has gone on to publish a book, Under the shade of Our Lady’s sweet image. He currently works as Outdoor Recreation and Education Officer at Belfast City Council. As well as this he is Administrator for the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs.