Lecale Upper, Historical barony in County Down, Northern Ireland
Lecale Upper is a historical administrative area in County Down that stretches from the Irish Sea coast inland across varied terrain. It contains several settlements and is divided into eight civil parishes with their own local character and services.
The original Lecale barony was divided in 1851, creating this territory as Lecale Upper as a distinct administrative area. The region had been controlled by local ruling families before undergoing changes following the Norman invasion led by John de Courcy.
The Mac Duinnshéibhe dynasty, a royal lineage of Dál Fiatach in Ulaid, controlled this territory until the Norman invasion led by John de Courcy.
The area has various roads connecting different settlements, making it relatively easy to explore the landscape and visit local villages. To understand the region, visiting each parish area separately helps you appreciate the distinct character of different parts.
The Russell family of Downpatrick maintains continuous Norman lineage since 1177, when their ancestor Osberto Russell arrived with John de Courcy.
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