Location

Downpatrick, Co Down

History

The legends of St Patrick play a huge role within Irish folklore and Christianity. The Saint Patrick Centre, close to St Patrick's final resting place, in the historic town of Downpatrick, illustrates the story of Ireland's Patron Saint.

St Patrick first came to Ireland , so the legend goes, as a captive slave, and later returned as a Bishop to convert the Irish to Christianity some time around the 5th Century. St Patrick established both the first church in Ireland and created the country's first holy wells close to Downpatrick here in County Down, before converting the nation and according to the legend, ridding it of snakes.

When St Patrick died, the Book of Armagh tells how his body was carried by oxen back to the part of Ireland he loved best, to be interred on a hill in Downpatrick where Down Cathedral was later built. In the 12th Century John de Courcy, a Norman Knight, is said to have brought the relics of St Colmcille and St Briged here, full-filling an ancient prophecy that three saints would share this most hallowed ground, making it the most important pilgrimage site in Ireland.

The Saint Patrick Centre is a multi-million pound interpretation centre attracting some 120,000 visitors a year from all over the world. The excellent interactive exhibition "Ego Patricius" provides visitors with an in depth and accurate presentation of the life of St Patrick following the Saint's own accounts in his Confession. Here in the cradle of Irish Christianity, you can walk in the very footsteps of St Patrick and no visit to Ireland is really complete without paying respects to its Patron Saint.

Details

Visit Length

2hrs

Information

Leaflets: Yes Guided Tours: Yes Audio Visual: Yes Exhibition: Yes

Facilities

Restaurant: Yes Car Park: Yes Coach Park: Yes Disabled Access: Yes