Downpatrick Attractions
Downpatrick (pop. 8,200) is the county town of Co. Down. Here in 432 St Patrick began the conversion of Ireland, having landed at Saul, 2mi/3km further north, where he built his first church and where he is said to have died, although the granite stone in the churchyard does not appear to date from this period.
Down Cathedral
Downpatrick Cathedral was built in 1790 on the remains of an earlier church; the font and some of the capitals came from the older church.
The 12th C. cathedral was built by John De Courcy. According to tradition Saint Patrick is buried in the cathedral graveyard.
The 12th C. cathedral was built by John De Courcy. According to tradition Saint Patrick is buried in the cathedral graveyard.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 14:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Down County Museum
The Down County Museum features Stone Age artifacts and Bronze Age gold discovered locally. The museum is housed in a former jail which also contains a restored cell-block with life-size figures.
Down County Museum
The Mall, English Street
Downpatrick BT30 6AH
Northern Ireland
The Mall, English Street
Downpatrick BT30 6AH
Northern Ireland
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Downpatrick Cathedral
Downpatrick Cathedral was built in 1790 on the remains of an earlier church; the font and some of the capitals came from the older church.
Inch Abbey
Ruins of a Cistercian monastery, Inch Abbey was founded in the 1180s by John de Courcy. Located on an island in the Quoile, it is reached by a causeway.
Quoile Countryside Centre (Castle)
Quoile Countryside Centre offers demonstrations on how flood control barrage has changed the saltwater estuary to fresh water resulting in curious vegetation, insect and fish life in the Quoile Pondage. Nearby are ruins of the 16th century Quoile Castle.
Hours
April 18 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
