Saint Patrick: associated with Ireland and shamrocks, and responsible for green coloured rivers, buildings and pints every year on the 17th of March. But what do we really know about the world’s most celebrated Saint and what’s left of his legacy in Ireland?
Making a selection on which locations to visit on my Saint Patrick’s tour of Ireland was one of the hardest parts. There are literally hundreds of sites that claim to have some kind of connection with the saint! I decided to narrow it down to some of the key sites, all situated in Northern Ireland and all manageable in a daytrip!
My trips starts at the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, where, to my biggest surprise, I discover that Saint Patrick wasn’t actually Irish at all! He was born in Britain around 400 AD. At the age of 15, disaster strikes and Patrick is captured by a clan of Irish outlaws and taken to Ireland as a slave. Strengthened by faith, he plans and succeeds his escape back to Britain. Through interactive displays and screens, I learn that St Patrick heard the voice of an angel telling him to return to Ireland to convert the pagans to Christianity. The rest is history…
The exhibition is well laid out in 6 different zones. It consists of panels, audio and video. I was here twice and on both occasions there was hardly anybody about!
A 10 minutes drive from Downpatrick, I arrive at the tiny church of Saul, the place where Saint Patrick founded his very first church! Don’t expect any bells and whistles here, the whole site couldn’t be more simple! A curious craftsman, doing some restoration work inside, is my only companion. The interior is just as modest as the outside and the surrounding collection of cross-carved stones and Celtic graves look out peacefully over the hilly Northern Irish landscape.
Looking at the horizon I can make out a big statue on the nearby hill: Slieve Patrick. At the top of the hill stands the tallest statue of Saint Patrick in the world! On the way up, bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland’s patron saint. Near the top is a grotto and cavalry, but the summit is for Saint Patrick himself! And what a view he has! Strangford Lough and the Northern Irish countryside are spread out right in front! Absolutely beautiful!
During the 6 years that Saint Patrick spent as a slave in Ireland, he was mainly trained to work as a shepherd. Slemish Mountain, in county Antrim, is the place where he tended sheep and swine on the mountain slopes, at a height of 1500 ft (457 metres). It was here that he regularly turned to prayer and had visions to plan his escape back to Britain. Every year on the 17th of March, large crowds hike up to the top of the mountain as a pilgrimage. I am here in January, when only a few walkers accompany me on the way up. It’s a hard enough climb and scramble, it’s steep and rocky, but the views at the top make it all worthwhile! If it weren’t for the howling wind, this place would make for an excellent meditation spot indeed!
I return back to Downpatrick, where a last and final legacy awaits me. Next to the Down Cathedral, a massive granite stone, marked with the letters “Patrick”, is said to be the gravestone of Ireland’s patron saint. A modest, simple stone and a perfect illustration to the modest life Saint-Patrick had led…
Have you been to Ireland or maybe followed the St Patricks trail? Looking forward to reading it in the comments!
How fascinating Els! Although I know the history, I’ve never seen photos of the sites attached to St. Patrick. Now I feel like doing that drive whenever I next go to Ireland!
It’s a very interesting route! Intertwined with a few pints and you’ve got the perfect Irish experience! 🙂
I never knew much about Saint Patrick, I figured he had something to do with beer though. Great post, can’t wait to visit Ireland!
you just made me realize how long it’s been since my last trip to Ireland! I need to get back there asap, it’s such a beautiful country, and your post make me want to pack my bags right away!
You had such a great journey! It was a bit of a surprise that he wasn’t originally Irish, but then again most of the things that we believe in and a popular as a story or legend are not entirely true or has a twist. Honestly, I didn’t know that much about it, so it was a very interesting to read 😉
-Sianna
Nice post I haven’t heard all of those things about St Patrick. Beautiful photos!
What interesting lagacy. I love the picture of the interior of the Church of Saul. Ireland is one of those places that is so close and yet I haven’t visited yet.
I just wrote a post about St. Patrick’s Day in Boston. The city really takes the celebration seriously! I am headed to Ireland in October and it would be wonderful to follow along in some of St. Patrick’s footsteps. I’ve bookmarked your great trail for when our planning really starts.
Yes, I’ve heard about the celebrations in Boston! They seem to be bigger than the ones in Ireland!!! 🙂
I’ve never even heard of this trail, but it sounds fun!! Plus it looks like it offers a beautiful, GREEN view!! I’d definitely want to hit Slieve Patrick… how cool to climb up to the tallest St. Patrick!!
That is such a wonderful view (near the statue of St. Patrick). You captured it very well! I haven’t been to the Irish lands yet, but I am aiming to! Nonetheless, great post! I definitely learned a thing or two 🙂