Downpatrick, Co Down N.Ireland
Downpatrick, the county town of Down, lies just to the south of the entrance to Strangford Lough.
Downpatrick is named for St Patrick, reputed to be buried beside Down Cathedral which he founded in the 5th century.
The Cathedral and County Gaol (now a museum) stand on the Hill of Down, the site of one of the twin 'duns' or earth
forts which protected the pre-Christian settlement.
Behind the museum is the Mound of Down, one of Ireland's major earthworks, believed to have been the site of the
Palace of the Kings of Ulster
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Downpatrick is named after
St Patrick, reputed to be buried beside Down Cathederal (above) which he founded in the 5th century.
St Patrick is said to have waded ashore at the mouth of the Slaney river, near Strangford Lough's entrance. Nearby he
found twin hill forts (duns) protecting a small settlement. That village would grow and become Downpatrick. Patrick,
dedicated missionary but also able politician, formed alliances with the local chieftain and soon converted him to
Christianity, a process which would be repeated throughout Ireland.
St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland - and banishing the island's snakes. It was from the Strangford
Lough area that Celtic monks spread Christianity throughout Ireland and many parts of Europe.
Other saints and scholars have left their mark on the Strangford landscape. St Mochaoi founded Nendrum Monastry in
the 4th century, St Finnian the vast Movilla Abbey, near the modern town of Newtownards, in the 6th century. Inch
Abbey, too, was founded in this period but, like many other places of sanctuary, was burned in a Viking raid.
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The Cathedral and Down County Gaol (above ), now a museum, stand on the Hill of Down, the site of one of the twin
'duns' or earth forts which protected the pre-Christian settlement.
Pictures: Down County Council
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