Form Northern Ireland's capital Belfast you drove southeast, following the roads along Strangford Lough to finally reach
Downpatrick
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is signposted and you'll find it at the end of a cul-de-sac dominating the town. The first church here was built to honor the burial place of Patrick himself:
Originally the hill had been used for defensive earthworks in prehistoric times and Patrick was busy nearby. But when the saint died in Saul (see below) a number of congregations claimed the undisputable right to bury him. All other congregations naturally disputed exactly this. Until a monk suggested a higher authority to settle the matter, hitched two wild oxen to a cart, bound Patrick's body to the cart and let the oxen run free. They finally stopped on the hill and Patrick was laid to rest. A massive granite boulder with the simple inscription "Patraic" marks the reputed burial site since 1901. Why exactly Frances Joseph Bigger chose this spot is unclear.
The early church did not survive - in 1315 Scottish troops ransacked Downpatrick and a new cathedral was only finished in 1512. This fell into disrepair and was finally rebuilt in a romantic "medieval style" between 1790 and 1826. Today the mock-medieval cathedral is a gem! The small dimensions and elaborate yet tasteful details lend it an unique charm.
Below the cathedral you will find the modern Saint Patrick Centre, a multimedia celebration of Patrick's Confessio. A visit is a must, this is one of the best attractions of its kind in Ireland. The crowning glory is a film presentation in a special theater with near-180°-screens, making the helicopter flight through Ireland very dynamic indeed!
Now you are near the end of the tour - from Patrick's grave take a short drive to the village of
Saul
In this unremarkable area one of the most important events in Ireland's history took place. It is said that Patrick landed here in 432, obtained a piece of land as a gift from the local lord and proceeded to build his first church. 1500 years later a new church was erected in memory of this momentous occasion. The architect Henry Seaver built the small, inconspicuous St Patrick's Church, adding a fair representation of a round tower and just one stained glass window depicting the saint himself. A fitting tribute. And an ideal, usually quiet place for a meditation on the saint and his works ...
After this you may complete your tour by driving back to Dublin.
