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SAINT PATRICK S COUNTRY
NORTHERN IRELAND
www.storyofsaintpatrick.com
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St Patricks Country
St. Patricks Grave at Down Cathedral
Locator Map
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How far Patrick travelled in Ireland and But what about the Saint Patrick of to intercede in heaven on behalf of the 12 9 11
how many souls he converted can only legend, who turned enemies into Irish. The Book of Armagh directed all
be guessed at. In his confessions, he animals, rid Ireland of snakes and used monasteries and churches in Ireland to
claims to have baptised many thousands. the shamrock to explain the concept of the honour his memory on March 17 in what
But Ulster was the real base of Patricks holy trinity? Ireland certainly still has the was then a largely spiritual ceremony. By Suggested Itineraries:
Belfast Bangor (Abbey and Heritage Centre)
work. And even here, it was the lovely shamrock, so there may be a germ of truth 1607, the day was marked on the Irish Nendrum Greyabbey
(Approx 90 miles round trip)
countryside around Downpatrick, in the story. As for the snakes, Ireland legal calendar. Now, it had become 22 Armagh Newry Downpatrick
(Approx 100 miles round trip)
including the holy wells at Struell, plus never had any, though possibly this refers officially Saint Patricks Day. Armagh Craigavon Dromore Belfast
(Approx 90 miles round trip)
what is now the ecclesiastical city of to his banishment of Satan, perceived as a Downpatrick Nendrum Greyabbey Bangor
(Approx 80 miles round trip)
Armagh which seems to have been serpent by Christians of the time. As far as It was the Norman Lord of Ulster, John 24
Location markers are only for quick reference and
particularly important to him. we can tell, none of his enemies ever took De Courcy, who did most to accelerate 1 do not indicate exact locations of sites.
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animal form either! the cult of Patrick, re-burying what were
Outside of Rome, Armagh is the oldest said to be his remains in the graveyard of
Episcopal See in the world with an It is difficult to be precise about the exact Down Cathedral, the cathedral he built in
unbroken line to its foundation. At one year of Patricks death, though March Downpatrick (traditionally along with the
time, the Papacy had considered moving to 17th is given as the date, but it was most relics of the two other Irish Patron saints,
Armagh from Rome, due to the consistent probably between 460 and 490 AD. Columba, who brought Christianity to
attacks on Rome from marauding vandals. Patrick received the last rites from his Scotland, and Brigid). It was De Courcy
1 Armagh County Museum 9 Saul Old Church 19 Kilbroney
However far he travelled, Patricks was an friend, Tassach, at Raholp near Saul and who renamed the town Downpatrick,
2 Saint Patricks (Catholic) Cathedral 10 Saint Patrick Centre 20 Nendrum
extraordinary achievement and one he was buried at a monastery near the the fort of Patrick.
3 Armagh Public Library 11 Struell Wells 21 North Down Heritage Centre
fraught with danger. I expect daily, he site of what is now Down Cathedral.
4 Saint Patricks (Church of Ireland) 12 Down County Museum 22 Saint Patricks Church of Ireland,
wrote, to be killed, betrayed, or brought
Cathedral 13 Inch Abbey 23 Seagoe
back into slavery, or something of the The legend of Saint Patrick grew quickly
5 Fiaich Memorial Library & Archive 14 Bangor Abbey 24 St. Monnina of Killevy
kind. Survival depended on his political after his death. In 688AD, the Book of
6 Saint Patricks Trian Visitor Complex 15 Craigavon Museum
skills and his ability to make influential Armagh placed that city at the centre of
7 Navan Centre and Fort 16 Dromore Cathedral
friends who were often called upon to help the growing cult of Patrick and he was
8 Down Cathedral 17 Dromore High Cross
free him from ransom-demanding robbers. elevated to the status of national apostle,
and Saint Patricks Grave 18 Greyabbey
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North Down Heritage Centre 21 The Seagoe Bell, originally found in The church ruins now on the site comprise
Located at Bangor Town Hall, the Centre Scarva Parish, was used for many years two distinct churches joined lengthwise.
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Festival Craic
arts & culture old & new. Samhain, (October 31st), was the night
when all souls of the dead were free to
celebrate Lughnasa, in honour of the god
Lugh. Harvest festivals and horse fairs still
roam the earth. It has become our celebrate this festival today.
Halloween. All Souls Day is the next day;
November 1st. The early Christians adopted these
great pagan festivals and gave them
Imbolg/Imbolc was Celebrated on Christian themes. We can still trace the
February 1st and it heralded the start pre-Christian roots of many of our
of spring and lambing season. It has current festivals.
become St.Brigids Day in Ireland, Brigid
shares her name with a pre-Christian deity.
After Imbolc came Beltaine, May 1st, now
Destinations around the world celebrate Saint Patricks Easter Festival, Armagh William Kennedy
Day but where better to celebrate the life Piping Festival
www.visitarmagh.com
and times of the Saint than in Saint Patricks Country. www.visitarmagh.com
St Patricks Festival, jointly staged in Armagh and
Feast of Fish, Kilkeel and Ardglass
Downpatrick throughout the week in which Saint
www.downdc.gov.uk
Patricks Day falls, sparks off an exhilirating events
calendar organised for visitors and locals alike. Opera Fringe, Down
St. Brigids Cross - traditionally made from rushes
www.operafringe.com on St. Brigids day.
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and its warm hospitality Northern Armagh City may be the Ecclesiastical
Ireland also has some of the freshest, Capital of Ireland, but Armagh County is
finest food available. Celebrated for its The Orchard of Ireland, coming alive
with colour as the pink flowers of apple
seafood, tasty root vegetables, prime trees blanket much of the deep green
beef, lamb, pork and traditional landscape. The history books tell us that
baking, eating out in Northern apples have been grown in Armagh for
over 3000 years - Saint Patrick himself is
Ireland is a unique experience. said to have planted an apple tree at
Ceangoba, an ancient settlement east of
Armagh City and Saint Malachy of
Armagh is represented with an apple in
his hand.
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Alternative formats including braille, large print, disc, audio cassette are available Belfast
Armagh & Down
on request.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board, 59 North Street, BELFAST, BT1 1NB. Dublin
Armagh
&Down