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.
You must spend some time at the St Patrick Centre 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.
Also for some real fun take a train ride on the only narrow gauge 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.
Downpatrick is a large town with good shopping and places to eat, situated in some of the most picturesque scenery in Northern Ireland you should make this region a definite place to spend some time.
Places to see - St Patrick Centre:
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. His feast day on 17 March is celebrated in Ireland and by the Irish throughout the world, and by anyone who wants to be Irish for the day!
Patrick was born in Wales around 380-390AD. As a Christian missionary, he travelled across Ireland, establishing Armagh as the main centre of the Christian church, and using the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity. His remains are buried in the grounds of the Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down.
The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick is the starting point for any visitor who wishes to know more about Ireland’s patron saint.
‘Ego Patricius’ – The Story of Saint Patrick
The excellent exhibition explores the legacy of Patrick, ancient and modern, and recalls the saint’s own story – in his own words. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore how Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times and reveals the fabulous artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age.
The centre also has an excellent restaurant, a well stocked shop where you can purchase high quality gifts and souvenirs plus an art gallery.
St Patrick Country:
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.
Downpatrick County Museum:
This is a restored 18th-century gaol presenting exhibitions on the history of County Down. There are restored cell blocks with life-size figures of prisoners and their jailers.
Also you will find temporary displays with events and education programmes.
You will find that the Euro is accepted in the shop and tea-rooms. And it's free admission!
Inch Abbey:
Just north-west of Downpatrick lies the 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. Makes for a nice stroll and is just off the road.
Saul Church:
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.
Down Cathedral and St Patrick's Grave:
Down Cathedral is a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. In the graveyard, just up te hill and on the left, is the reputed grave of St. Patrick. Magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case.
Downpatrick and County Down Railway:
A great day out for the family! Nestling under the shadow of the picturesque Down Cathedral, the railway currently operates over approximately two miles of a restored section of the former Belfast and County Down Railway main line to Belfast out of Downpatrick to Inch Abbey, a ruined 12th Century Cistercian Abbey, with a further one mile built along the old Newcastle route to a Viking King's Grave, completing a triangle of track, which is hoped will be extended to the hamlet of Ballydugan three miles south of Downpatrick.
Visitors may choose to take a tour of the station and worksheds, Signal Cabin, etc., to see the behind-the-scenes work going on outside of the train running days. There's also a buffet carriage parked at the platform for teas, coffees and buns, in the station there is a shop with railway themed stock, and upstairs there's a small photo exhibition and a Thomas the Tank engine model railway layout for the kids.
Don't forget that March 17th is St Patrick's Day and Downpatrick puts on a wonderful day of events for the occasion. It is THE place to be on St Patrick's Day!
Getting Here:
Road - Downpatrick is situated at the junction of the A7 (Downpatrick to Saintfield) road, the A25 (Downpatrick to Newry) road and the A2 coast road. Whilst there are no rail services in Downpatrick, Ulsterbus provides bus services to and from the Downpatrick Bus Station. It is 21 miles from Belfast by car.
From Belfast (City Hall or Adelaide Street) take the Ulsterbus; 15 or 215 run the route to Downpatrick.
Train:
Trains to Downpatrick can be accessed at Belfast Central Station.
By Air:
Flights land at both Belfast City Airport (George Best Airport) or Belfast International Airport at Antrim. The International Airport (BFS), 30 minutes drive from the city via the M2 Motorway, is Northern Ireland's principal access point for travel. A regular Airbus service operates into the city centre.
The City Airport (BHD) is situated just two miles from the heart of the city. It has a high frequency of flights to many UK cities and connections worldwide.
Belfast City Airport is a great way to land in Northern Ireland.
City of Derry Airport has flights from a number of airports in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
