Downpatrick, Loughinisland
Downpatrick
Ballynoe Stone Circle
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Megalithic monument near Downpatrick where a 100ft Stone Circle encloses an ellipse of stones and a prehistoric burial mound. Dated to around 2000 BC. It is thought Ballynoe was begun in the Stone Age.
Directions: Follow Killough Road in Downpatrick until crossroads at Flying Horse Housing Estate. Turn right for Ballynoe. Signposted down long footpath.
Down Cathedral and St Patrick's Grave
The Mall
English Street
T: 0 28 4461 4922
F: 0 28 4461 4456
E: info@downcathedral.org
W: www.downcathedral.org
Description: A Church of Ireland Cathedral, originally a Benedictine Monastery built in 1183. Major restoration in the 1800s, still containing many of the original features. The Cathedral is built on the Hill of Down, one of the holiest Christian sites in Ireland. Its graveyard contains the traditional burial place of St Patrick.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 17:00, Sunday 14:00 - 17:00.
Admission: Donations for guided tours by prior arrangement.
Directions: Continue to top of Market Street, Downpatrick. Turn left at traffic lights. Turn left again at next set of traffic lights and continue to end of English Street. Down Cathedral is situated at the end of the street.
Down County Museum
The Mall
English Street
BT30 6AH
T: 0 28 4461 5218
F: 0 28 4461 5590
E: linda.mckenna@downdc.gov.uk
W: www.downcountymuseum.com
Description: Located in the restored eighteenth century County Gaol of Down, the museum's exhibitions tell the story of the people of County Down from the earliest times to today.
Down Through Time is a major fully accessible exhibition now open in the Governor's Residence. Featuring hundreds of historic artefacts, documents and photographs, audio-video displays, gallery audio points, interactive databases and lots of hands-on activities for children, it's a must for all the family.
Audio tours of the museum also available in French, German, Spanish and Irish.
Opening Hours: All year Monday to Friday 10:00 -17:00, Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 17:00.
Admission: free
Directions: Continue to top of Market Street, Downpatrick. Turn left at next set of traffic lights and continue along English Street. Down County Museum is situated on right.
Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Market Street,
T: 0 28 4461 5779
M: 07790 802049
E: downtrains@yahoo.co.uk
W: www.downrail.co.uk
Description: Travel in style on one of the historic railway carriages. Capture the magic of a bygone era on board a vintage railway train at the only full size heritage railway in Ireland.
Opening Hours: Museum open Wednesdays and Saturdays 11:00 -14:00 all year round.Trains run on Saturday and Sundays June to September from 14:00 - 17:00 with special trains on Public Holidays and seasonal events. See website for timetable.
Admission: Adult £4.50 return, £3.50 single. Child & OAP £3.50 return, £2.50 single. Charges may vary on seasonal specials.
Directions: Turn into Market Street Car Park (entrance beside Ulsterbus Station and Rathkeltair House) and drive down to the end, taking the first or second entrance on the left.
Inch Abbey
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Most of this substantial Cistercian Abbey is now in ruins, but the east end of the church with its early English lancet windows, chapter house and refrectory remains as witness to its great days of piety.
Opening Hours: Daily
Admission: free
Directions: Take A7 towards Crossgar, turn left at Abbey Lodge Hotel following signpost for Inch Abbey. Reach by lane on left. Car Park available.
Mound of Down
Mount Crescent
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: The Norman, John de Courcy, built a castle in the stronghold of Macdunlevy. Giant earthwork beside the river Quoile.
Open: all year round.
Directions: Follow signs to English Street, Downpatrick. Turn into Mount Crescent and the Mound is situated at the back of Down County Museum.
Quoile Castle
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Built on the banks of the Quoile for local notable Captain West at the end of the 16th century.
Directions: Take Strangford Road from Downpatrick, take first left at Quoile Pondage Centre (signposted).
St Tassach's Church, Raholp
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Here lies the ruins of a church. One of the earliest Christian buildings in Ireland, associated with St Tassach, who administered the last communion rites to the dying St Patrick on 17 March 461.
Directions: Access is from Bannaghan Road
Saul Church
T: 0 28 4461 4922
Description: The replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland is 2 miles outside Downpatrick is. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of Patrick. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00 daily
Admission: free
Directions: From Downpatrick follow A25 to Strangford. Turn right onto Mearne Road. At crossroads turn right following signpost for Saul Church.
Struell Wells
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Strongly associated with St Patrick, but no documented history until 1306. remarkable group of healing wells and bath houses in secluded rocky valley
Directions: 1.5 miles east of Downpatrick on the Ardglass Road. Turn left beyond Downshire Hospital into Struell Wells Road. Continue for 0.5 miles. Struell Wells on right.
The Saint Patrick Centre
53a Market Street
T: 0 28 4461 9000
F: 0 28 4461 9111
E: director@saintpatrickcentre.com
W: www.saintpatrickcentre.com
Description: Situated below Patrick's reputed burial site, this new interatvie exhibition includes a virtual helicopter ride, entitled "In St Patricius's footsteps", presenting an authentic view of the saint through his own words. The centre's excellent facilities include an Art Gallery, Craft Shop, restaurant, conference facilities, Tourist Information Centre, and education programme.
Opening Hours: October to March: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00. St Patrick's Day 9:30 - 19.00.
April to May & September: Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 17:30, Sunday 13:00 -17:30.
June to August: Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 18:00, Sunday 13:00 - 18:00.
Admission: Adult £4.90, Child £2.50, Concession £3.30, Students £3.30, Family £11.70.
Group rates: Adult groups of 25 plus £3.25 pp. Concession, Student & Senior Citizens £2.65. Child group: £2.20. Education group £3.25.
Directions: Situated off Market Street, Downpatrick.
Loughlinisland
Annadorn Dolmen
Loughinisland
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: A slightly displaced capstone covers a rectangular chamber of which three sides stones survive.
Directions: 5.5 miles south east of Ballynahinch on the north east shore of Loughinisland Lake, within sight of Loughinisland Churches.
Loughinisland Churches
T: Historic Monuments on 0 28 9054 3034
Description: Interesting group of three ruined churches in graveyard beside lake, ranging in date from 13th to 17th centuries.
Directions: 4 miles west of Downpatrick on island in Lough, reached by causeway.
Contacts
Downpatrick Tourist Information
The Saint Patrick Centre,
53a Market Street
Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ
T 0 28 4461 2233
F 0 28 4461 2350
E downpatrick.tic@downdc.gov.uk
Newcastle Tourist Information Centre
10-14 Central Promenade,
Newcastle, BT33 0AA
T 0 28 4372 2222
F 0 28 4372 2400
E newcastle.tic@downdc.gov.uk