Southbound - Lecale to Carlingford Lough

Southbound: Lecale to Carlingford Lough is a month‑long photography exhibition running throughout February at the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick. Open daily from 9am to 5pm, this immersive visual journey showcases the work of local photographer Simon McIlwaine, whose distinctive style blends classic landscape photography with more abstract, atmospheric interpretations of place. This exhibition invites visitors to slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the rugged beauty of the South Down coastline.

Created over a four‑year period, Southbound follows a coastal path beginning in Ballyhornan and travelling along the sweeping curve of Dundrum Bay, past the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, and onward to Greencastle at the mouth of Carlingford Lough. The collection features 40 carefully curated images, each capturing a different mood, season, or elemental shift along this iconic stretch of shoreline. From storm‑lashed waves and brooding skies to quiet tidal patterns and unexpected bursts of colour, McIlwaine’s work reveals both the raw drama and the subtle poetry of the landscape.

Visitors can expect a mixture of bold, expansive seascapes and more intimate, abstract compositions that highlight texture, movement, and the interplay of light. Works such as Beyond the Storm, Ballyhornan Storm, and Paths of Citrus demonstrate McIlwaine’s ability to balance technical precision with artistic intuition, offering a fresh perspective on familiar locations. His images are rooted in a deep connection to place, shaped by countless hours spent walking, observing, and photographing the coastline in all conditions.

This exhibition forms part of the St Patrick’s Centre’s ongoing commitment to showcasing local talent and celebrating the natural heritage of County Down. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a lover of the outdoors, or simply curious to explore the region through a new lens, Southbound offers a rich and contemplative experience.

Full details and selected works can be viewed at: www.simonmcilwaine.com/southbound.