FORMR President Mary McAleese has travelled to the heart of Co Down to interview a champion runner as part of her new RTÉ programme.
Mrs McAleese walked St Patrick's Way with Ciara Mageean, a European bronze medallist, from Portaferry, for All Walks of Life.
The new programme sees the former president, who is from Belfast, bring a diverse selection of people on spiritual journeys along some of Ireland's most stunning and ancient pilgrim trails.
In the latest episode, which is due to be broadcast on Friday, she interviews Ciara Mageean on a walk along the Down coast, accompanied by Duane Fitzsimons, a guide from the St Patrick's Centre in Downpatrick.
Their coastal adventure takes them via Ballyhornan towards St Patrick’s Well, Sheepland.
In the programme, Mrs McAleese and Ms Mageean are greeted by Mr Fitzsimons, who has his own historic links with the area going back generations.
The Ardglass man is descended from an Anglo-Norman Savage family of the Ards, who arrived in the 12th Century under the leadership of conquerer John de Courcy.
Mr Fitzsimons, a keen historian and walker, said he came up with the idea for the coastal walk "because of the outstanding natural beauty that is there".
"It is a really undiscovered kind of gem in the whole of the island in terms of the natural beauty," he said.
"Mary McAleese was really quite personable and willing to get to know a bit about me and also about the whole area," he said.
Dr Tim Campbell, Director of St Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition to St Patrick in the world, said he was delighted with the focus on St Patrick’s Way.
"We are really excited about the new coastal route we are offering which will be led in turns by guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly," he said.
"They walk some of the most beautiful coast line on the island and features views of the Isle of Man on a clear day. The well itself is amazing and the walk also takes in the historic church ruin at Ardtole. Details of all our walks can be found on www.saintpatrickcentre.com."
