Location: near Struell Wells, east of Downpatrick
This walk is officially part of the Lecale Way and should not be confused with the other, much longer St. Patrick's Way. This is a walk through the countryside along paths, many bounded by drystone walls. The paths themselves are mostly semi-natural grassland which has been lost in the surrounding agricultural land. I have seen a white form of Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) here, on the path near Ballyalton. The path beside Lough Money has some fenland with orchids (Dactylorhiza sp.?). Struell Wells (Toibreacha an t-Sruthail "wells of the stream") is a site with holy wells nearby.
April 2022 Fen beside Lough Money.
April 2022 The paths here are gorgeous, bounded by drystone walls and full of spring flowers.
April 2022 The stream at Struell Wells. The water is very clear.
April 2022 Caddisfly larvae in the stream at Struell Wells. They build their cases from small stones.
April 2022 Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris) on Saint Patrick's Chair at Struell Wells. It is locally common on rocks in the area.
April 2022 Whitethorn and other shrubs overgrow the drystone walls here. You can clearly see the difference between the semi-natural grassland along the path and the improved grassland in the surrounding fields.
April 2022
April 2022 A variegated Cranesbill (Geranium sp.) near the carpark beside Lough Money.