Lecale
Encyclopedia
Lecale is the name of two different historical territorial divisions both located in the east of modern-day County Down
, Northern Ireland
. Anciently it was the name of the ancient Irish district of Leath Cathail. As Ladcathel it was a county of the Earldom of Ulster, and later the name of the former barony of Lecale, which was then split into Lecale Lower
and Lecale Upper
by 1851.
. Hence Leath Cathail literally means "Cathal's half of Dál Fiatach".
More anciently Leath Cathail was known as Magh Inis, meaning the "island plain", with the name "Isle Lecale" still used in the area. These names reflect that until the first sea barriers and drainage systems where constructed about 200 years ago, that Lecale was almost entirely encircled by Dundrum Bay, Strangford Lough
, and the Irish Sea
.
The Cenél Aengusa are also noted as being kings of Leath Cathail, with the Ua Flathraoi cited as lords by the 12th century. According to the Annals of the Four Masters
, on the day of the Festival of Paul and Peter (29 June), 1147, the Ulidians gave battle to the Cenél nEógain
of Tír Eoghain
(Tyrone
) who had pursued them to the shores of Dún Droma (Dundrum Bay), Leath Cathail. The Ulidians suffered a heavy defeat, including the death of Archu Ua Flathraoi, "lord of Leath-Chathail", with the victorious Cenél nEógain plundering Lecale and taken off with Ulidian hostages.
, and is called Dún Droma Dairinne
, the "fort of Dairinne's ridge", in a poem by Gilbride MacNamee, a bard of the Cenél nEóġain. This poem, written to lament the death of Bryan O'Neill, and the defeat of the Irish at the battle of Downpatrick
in 1260, boasts of their victories over their enemies and makes mentions the victory over the Ulidians, however in reference to the battle of Downpatrick, the bard would lament "Alas! We have paid for it".
Dundrum Castle, which now occupies the original dún or earthen fort, is said to have been built for the Knights Templar
by John de Courcy
, and they are said to have held it until 1313 when their order was suppressed. It was afterward granted to the prior of Down.
. St. Patrick is claimed to be buried at Downpatrick
, which lies within Lecale Upper.
formerly held control of the customs of Stangford and Ardglass
, both in Lecale Lower, of which it is noted that:
Lecale is also recorded under the name of "Ladcathel" as one of the seven counties of the Earldom of Ulster in 1333.
Lecale was also the name of a former barony in Ireland, which by 1851 had been split into Lecale Lower and Lecale Upper.
The Russells of Downpatrick have been established in Lecale since the 12th century having been recorded in the area since Osberto Russell accompanied John de Courcy in 1177 into Ulster. Thomas Russell, one of the leaders of the United Irishmen who led the rising of 1803, was imprisoned in Downpatrick gaol and on 21 October 1803 was hanged at the gate of the gaol. 'The Man From God Knows Where' is a ballad written by Florence Wilson in commemoration of him.
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, 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...
. Anciently it was the name of the ancient Irish district of Leath Cathail. As Ladcathel it was a county of the Earldom of Ulster, and later the name of the former barony of Lecale, which was then split into Lecale Lower
Lecale Lower
Lecale Lower is a barony in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies to the east of the county with Strangford Lough to its north and the Irish Sea to its right...
and Lecale Upper
Lecale Upper
Lecale Upper is a barony in County Down, Northern Ireland. To its south lies the Irish Sea, and it is bordered by three baronies; Lecale Lower and Kinelarty to the north; and Iveagh Upper, Lower Half to the west....
by 1851.
Leath Cathail
Leath Cathail is said to consist of the present-day baronies of Lecale Lower and Lecale Upper, and was a subdivision of the ancient kingdom of Uladh. It gets its name from Cathal, a prince of Uladh about 700 A.D. who was a descendant of Fiachna, a son of Deaman, a king of UlidiaUlidia
Ulidia is a genus of ulidiid or picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae.-Species:*Ulidia albidipennis Loew, 1845*Ulidia apicalis Meigen, 1826*Ulidia atrata Loew, 1868*Ulidia erythrophthalma Meigen, 1826...
. Hence Leath Cathail literally means "Cathal's half of Dál Fiatach".
More anciently Leath Cathail was known as Magh Inis, meaning the "island plain", with the name "Isle Lecale" still used in the area. These names reflect that until the first sea barriers and drainage systems where constructed about 200 years ago, that Lecale was almost entirely encircled by Dundrum Bay, Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough, sometimes Strangford Loch, is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. The name Strangford is derived ; describing the fast-flowing narrows at its mouth...
, and the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
.
The Cenél Aengusa are also noted as being kings of Leath Cathail, with the Ua Flathraoi cited as lords by the 12th century. According to the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
, on the day of the Festival of Paul and Peter (29 June), 1147, the Ulidians gave battle to the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
of Tír Eoghain
Kings of Tir Eogain
This article lists the Kings of Tír Eoghain or Tyrone from 1185 to 1616. They are listed from their date of accession to date of death, unless otherwise stated....
(Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
) who had pursued them to the shores of Dún Droma (Dundrum Bay), Leath Cathail. The Ulidians suffered a heavy defeat, including the death of Archu Ua Flathraoi, "lord of Leath-Chathail", with the victorious Cenél nEógain plundering Lecale and taken off with Ulidian hostages.
Dundrum
This Dún Droma ("fort of the ridge"), is now known as DundrumDundrum
Dundrum is the name of several places:in Ireland:*Dundrum, Dublin, a suburb of Dublin city.**Dundrum Town Centre, a shopping centre*Dundrum, County Tipperary** the Dundrum meteorite of 1865, which fell in Munster, Ireland...
, and is called Dún Droma Dairinne
Dáirine
The Dáirine , later known dynastically as the Corcu Loígde, were the proto-historical rulers of Munster before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They appear to have derived from the Darini of Ptolemy and to have been related to the Ulaid and Dál Riata of Ulster and Scotland...
, the "fort of Dairinne's ridge", in a poem by Gilbride MacNamee, a bard of the Cenél nEóġain. This poem, written to lament the death of Bryan O'Neill, and the defeat of the Irish at the battle of Downpatrick
Battle of Druim Dearg
The Battle of Druim Dearg, also known as the Battle of Down, was a battle between the Normans and Brian Ua Neill , High King of Ireland near Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1260...
in 1260, boasts of their victories over their enemies and makes mentions the victory over the Ulidians, however in reference to the battle of Downpatrick, the bard would lament "Alas! We have paid for it".
Dundrum Castle, which now occupies the original dún or earthen fort, is said to have been built for the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
by John de Courcy
John de Courcy
John de Courcy was a Anglo-Norman knight who arrived in Ireland in 1176. From then until his expulsion in 1204, he conquered a considerable territory, endowed religious establishments, built abbeys for both the Benedictines and the Cistercians and built strongholds at Dundrum Castle in County...
, and they are said to have held it until 1313 when their order was suppressed. It was afterward granted to the prior of Down.
St. Patrick
A giant statue of St. Patrick, resides in Lecale, and looks into the rest of Ireland. It was erected to commemorate that Lecale was the area where St. Patrick started and ended his mission in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. St. Patrick is claimed to be buried at Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
, which lies within Lecale Upper.
Medieval and modern Lecale
The Earls of KildareKildare
-External links:*******...
formerly held control of the customs of Stangford and Ardglass
Ardglass
Ardglass is a coastal village in County Down, Northern Ireland and still a relatively important fishing harbour. It is situated on the B1 Ardglass to Downpatrick road, about 11 kilometres to the south east of Downpatrick, in the Lecale peninsula on the Irish Sea. It had a population of 1,668...
, both in Lecale Lower, of which it is noted that:
"The port offered excellent sea communications and the fertile area of Lecale was prosperous, so de Courcey
incorporated the whole as part of the Pale and rewarded his followers with grants of land. Later, Henry
VIII granted the revenue of the port, amounting to £5,000, to Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare. The
association of the Kildare family with Ardglass continued for three centuries"
Lecale is also recorded under the name of "Ladcathel" as one of the seven counties of the Earldom of Ulster in 1333.
Lecale was also the name of a former barony in Ireland, which by 1851 had been split into Lecale Lower and Lecale Upper.
The Russells of Downpatrick have been established in Lecale since the 12th century having been recorded in the area since Osberto Russell accompanied John de Courcy in 1177 into Ulster. Thomas Russell, one of the leaders of the United Irishmen who led the rising of 1803, was imprisoned in Downpatrick gaol and on 21 October 1803 was hanged at the gate of the gaol. 'The Man From God Knows Where' is a ballad written by Florence Wilson in commemoration of him.