Saint Patrick's Country - Downpatrick


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St Patrick's Town

18 November 2008

St Patrick's Town

The later seat of the High Kings of Ulster, burial site of the patron saint and medieval capital of County Down, Downpatrick is an essential stop for those intetrested in saints, scholars and Irish Christian heritage.

Spend some time at the St Patrick Centre major multimedia exhibition and learn about Patrick’s life. Visit the ancient Down Cathedral beside St Patrick’s Grave and then walk down the historic Georgian Mall to Down Museum which displays artefacts from Patrick’s time.

Take a train ride on the only narrow guage steam railway in Ireland through St. Patrick’s Country with the Down Railway Museum to Inch Abbey where many of the legends of Patrick were written down in Medieval times.

Perhaps you will visit the first church in Ireland at Saul and the first holy wells at Struell with their healing waters, all within a mile of the town. Or you could climb nearby Slieve Patrick and see the largest statue of the Patron Saint in the World and trace his footsteps on St Patrick’s Trail to the River Slaney where he began his pilgrimage to Ireland.

Whatever you choose to do you will be enchanted with this hidden world which is St. Patrick’s town.

Attractions

1.		The Saint Patrick Centre - Downpatrick ‘Ego Patricius’ – The Story of St. Patrick. The exhibition explores the legacy of Patrick, ancient and modern, and recalls the saint’s own story – in his own words.
2.		Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Grave - Downpatrick Down Cathedral is a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. In the graveyard we have the reputed grave of St. Patrick. Magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case.
3.		Inch Abbey - Downpatrick Just north-west of Downpatrick liesthe ruins of Inch Abbey which was built before 800AD, destroyed by vikings and later came back to life as a Cistercian monastry founded in 1180's by John de Courcy.
4.		Down County Museum - Downpatrick Down County Museum is located in the old county gaol of Down. With fascinating exhibitions on the history of Down as well as restored cells, it's a must for all the family.
5.		Saul Church - Downpatrick Two miles outside Downpatrick is the replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of St Patrick. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.