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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Downpatrick, also known in Northern Ireland as Dún Pádraig, has had its name inscribed in history books since almost 130 AD. This historical town has stood against the trials of time and continued to develop through the years. Today, it is a major inspirational, religious, and recreational centre.
Stick around to discover Downpatrick Town with us and whether or not it relates to one of the world’s most famous patron saints, Saint Patrick.
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A little history about Downpatrick Town
It was not clear when humans first settled in Downpatrick Town. However, discoveries revealed houses dating back to the Bronze Age and a settlement dating back to the Neolithic Age on the site of Cathedral Hill.
The town is rich in historical events since the ruling of the Ulaid when it served as a stronghold for this powerful group of dynasties. Until John de Courcy, a Norman knight, received a grant from Henry II of England granting him Ulster, the knight marched to the town and took it over in 1177. The highlight of the Middle Ages is the Gaelic alliance to retrieve Down from the British, resulting in the Battle of Down, which ended with a horrible defeat.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, significant improvements took place at Dún, such as building a quay and a grain store in 1717 and the Southwell school in 1733. The Down House Infirmary was built in 1767 and moved to another building until it eventually settled in the Downe Hospital building in 1834.
During the 1820s, many restrictions imposed on Catholics through the United Kingdom were lifted. The most critical lifted restriction was in the Emancipation Act of 1829, which allowed Catholics to become members of the parliament in the House of Commons in Britain. The main advocator for Emancipation was The Liberator, barrister Daniel O’Connell, who was later honoured at a dinner fest attended by members of all religious factions.
Today, Downpatrick Town is a recreational and commercial hub, with many attractions to visit and enjoy around the town. It is also a major commuter town. The town is also a great sports centre for many Irish and global sports, such as the Gaelic games, Cricket, and Rugby, in addition to being home to the Downpatrick & District Snooker Billiard League.
Downpatrick and Saint Patrick
If the meaning of its name is Patrick’s Fort, it’s only natural that Downpatrick be the last resting place of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick. Some say that Saint Patrick lived in Downpatrick during the 5th century, while others claim he was only buried there, on Cathedral Hill, after his death. Later on, Down Cathedral was buried, involving the alleged burial place.
The Patron Saint of Ireland is celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day, a world-famous celebration that venerates the saint every year on 17 March. His grave remains, to this day, a famous pilgrimage place for many faithful worldwide. Although Downpatrick celebrates the saint for one day, some other counties, such as Newry, Down District Council, and Mourne, have extended the celebrations for an entire week.
Here’s what you can see and do in Downpatrick town.
What to see in Downpatrick Town
One of the most important landmarks to visit in Downpatrick is Saint Patrick’s grave, believed to be in the Down Cathedral. Several other historical places, such as the Down Arts Centre, the Inch Abbey, and Quoile Castle, can also be visited.
Down Cathedral
Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Down Cathedral was built on Cathedral Hill, which overlooks the centre of Downpatrick town and overlooks it. The cathedral is home to crosses from the 9th, 10th, and 12th centuries, which are still preserved inside until today. During its life, the cathedral underwent restoration works in 1790 and between 1985 and 1987.
The cathedral is said to be home to the burial ground of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick. However, the Mourne granite stone marking the grave was placed in its current place in 1900. A replica of a granite high cross stands outside the east end, while the original, which dates back to either the 10th or the 11th century, has been on display in the Down County Museum since 2015.
Saint Patrick’s Grave
One of the reasons why people decide to visit Downpatrick is because Saint Patrick is buried here in the town cathedral. People come to the cathedral to check out the grave of the legend Saint Patrick.
St. Patrick’s Day is a famous celebration held in Northern Ireland in Downpatrick. It is celebrated through an annual cross-community parade that goes through the centre of the town. Originally, this celebration was held for one day only, but in recent years, it has been extended to include the whole week, bringing family events and history exhibitions for the public.
Down Arts Centre
Initially serving as a municipal building in Downpatrick, this building was home to the Downpatrick Urban District Council. The Gothic Revival style of the building was constructed with red brick and was finished in 1882. Since the Down District Council was formed in 1974 with its offices in Stangford Road, the building no longer served as the Downpatrick Urban District Council meeting place.
Following a fire in 1983 and restoration works the following year, the building was allocated to the Down Arts Centre starting in 1989. Further restoration occurred between 2011 and 2012 to refurbish the building overlooking Irish Street and Scotch Street. The building is listed as a Grade B1 building.
Saint Patrick Visitor Centre
Opened in 2001, the Saint Patrick Visitor Centre is the only permanent exhibition of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick. The centre in Downpatrick is located below Down Cathedral and is open to visitors all days of the year. It has various interactive halls focusing on the actual events of Saint Patrick’s life and Christianity rather than the legends surrounding him.
The centre has several exhibitions, including Ego Patricius, which uses Saint Patrick’s words to describe the arrival of Christianity and its evolution in Ireland. It also features artwork and metalwork from the early Christian Era and exhibitions showcasing the impact Irish missionaries had during this period in Europe.
In addition to the exhibition rooms, there is a café, a craft shop, a tourist information centre, and an art gallery.
Quoile Castle
This late 16th-century castle was built using split-stone rubble with sandstone dressing and is around 2.5 kilometres from Downpatrick town. The castle remained in use until the 1700s and housed 7 sixpence pieces that were made of silver, dating back to the time of Elizabeth I, which was discovered in 1986.
Inch Abbey
Built on the ruins of a previous monastery from the 9th to the 12th centuries, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy, an Anglo-Norman knight who arrived in Ireland in 1176. The current abbey lies in ruins just outside Downpatrick, and De Courcy built it as penance for destroying Erenagh Abbey in 1177.
Inch Abbey takes its name from “inis,” an Irish word that means “island.” When the monastery was built in the 12th century, it was surrounded by the River Quoile. You can get to the abbey through the Inch Abbey Railway Station.
Down County Museum
Once the Down County Gaol, the Down County Museum in Downpatrick is located on English Street on the Mall, the County Grand Jury of Down ordered the museum’s construction, and construction to be supervised by Marquess of Downshire, the Hon Edward Ward and the Earl of Hillsborough, between 1789 and 1796. During its lifetime, the building once served as the barracks of the South Down Militia.
Downpatrick Racecourse
It is one of two racecourses in Ireland. The first race at Downpatrick Racecourse dates back to 1685. This racecourse is located just outside the town, while the second racecourse is Down Royal, near Lisburn in Northern Ireland.
Horse racing in Ireland is run as an All-Ireland basis, where Ireland is referred to as a whole and under the jurisdiction of Horse Racing Ireland. The Downpatrick Racecourse currently hosts only the National Hunt Racing.
Downpatrick & County Down Railway
This historical railway dates back to 1859, when the first railway opened to the public in Downpatrick. It was later closed for commercial use in 1950. Preservation works on the Belfast and County Down Railway to Belfast didn’t start until 1985.
The preserved historical heritage of the railway includes Ireland’s biggest collection of carriages dating back to the Victorian era, railcars with three steam engines, and eight diesel-run locomotives. The Downpatrick & County Down Railway connects the town with several historical places and landmarks, such as the Inch Abbey.
Struell Wells
These holy wells are located almost two and a half kilometres east of Downpatrick and have appeared in historical writings since 1306. The surviving buildings are estimated to date back to 1600 and are still used today by people seeking cures as a pilgrimage site. Pilgrimages to Struell between the 16th and 19th centuries were documented, as pilgrims visited the place on Saint John’s Eve and the Friday before Lammas.
Where to stay in Downpatrick?
Denvir’s Coaching Inn (English Street 14 – 16, Downpatrick, BT30 6AB):
Less than half a kilometre from Down Cathedral, rooms in this inn are warmly decorated to make you feel at home. It is highly rated in many categories, including hospitality, cleanliness, location, comfort and value for money.
Ballymote Country House (Ballymote House 84 Killough Road, Downpatrick, BT30 8BJ):
This cosy bed and breakfast is the perfect place to feel welcomed. It is close to Down Cathedral and River Quoile. Reservations at Ballymote include a delicious full English and Irish breakfast, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Ballymote Country House was rated as “Exceptional” by many visitors.
The Mulberrys B&B (20 Lough Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick, BT30 9DT):
This beautiful bed and breakfast offers a colourful and bright garden view from which to enjoy a quiet afternoon. Many visitors rated the place as “Exceptional” through all its services, mainly because all room reservations include continental, English, or Irish breakfast.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the beautiful town of Downpatrick. Have you ever been there? What was your experience like? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Check out some of our other blog post that might interest you such as Downpatrick Museum, Down Cathedral – St. Patricks Grave, Saintfield.
