We intend to visit the St. Patrick’s Church and grave, and possibly other sites as time allows. We’re now very familiar with the bus station, and thankfully there are regular schedules to Belfast where we will spend tonight.
5.09 miles, intermittent rain, 58 degrees, 85% humidity.
Richard’s ReLive video is here: https://www.relive.com/view/vPv4Z4PXBR6
One more meal in this hotel opened in 1642. There is a giant fireplace behind Jan.
Ursula was the jack-of-all-trades who served breakfast, answered questions, and watched our luggage while we did our last sightseeing.
The Down County Museum was just below the Cathedral so we first stopped in there. It is housed in the ancient gaol (jail) and did an excellent job of describing the history of the area, including some difficult times with Irish resistance.
The cross of St. Patrick is now housed in the museum to protect it from the elements. It is descriptive with Biblical stories, but most are difficult to make out without the museum’s descriptive panels.
Down Cathedral is at the top of the hill. This is a Church of Ireland, the site of the grave of St. Patrick. It opened in 1818 and is also known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity.
The royal charter was granted to Down Cathedral in 1609. The church incorporates part of the Benedictine Abbey of Down from the 12th century.
The Down Cathedral Act of 1790 initiated the restoration to build the current Cathedral.
As it was in Armagh, there is also St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Downpatrick.
John Wesley visited Downpatrick four times between 1778 and 1789 and preached in the grove on the hill of Down Cathedral.
A replica of the cross of St. Patrick is in its place before the church.
The inside of the church is surprisingly modern and plain.
This stained glass window covered scenes of the life of St. Patrick.
Rows of wooden pews fill the sides of the sanctuary.
We made a quick stop at the Downpatrick Library that we had heard might have a good genealogy section. Jan’s ancestors emigrated from Belfast in 1766-7 on a ship supposedly populated mostly from Down County residents. Chris in the library was helpful to try to get us information, but no luck yet.
Off to the bus station for transport to Belfast. No more luggage transport—now we’re moving the bags ourselves.
First job in Belfast—laundry!
We had a lovely Italian dinner and then off to bed.
6 Responses
I hope Chris, the librarian , can find some info on your family, Jan.
I should have known you were an Irish lass!
Wondering how far you had to tow that luggage. At least it wasn’t raining.
Again, I think the churches are spectacular! That would truly be a highlight for me!
By the way, you both look great! Wendy
Thanks, Wendy. I am always searching for my ancestral links, and each clue is exciting to me. Chris was funny and helped, but I know it’s difficult when you are one of many Joneses. Towing luggage is never fun but rolling bags make it so much easier than the old days. Now if we could just smooth out the cobblestones!
Oh yay! I am excited you are on the genealogical part of your trip! I hope you uncover some wonderful treasures.
What a cool breakfast. I love the old fireplace! What amazing history.
You would have loved the hotel—operating since 1642! So much history!
Seems like there are numerous St Patrick’s Churches you have seen this trip so looked it up. St.Patrick founded over 300 churches 60 of which are still functioning. Glad your goal wasn’t to visit them all, though that might be a fun future trip. Dan
Wow! Maybe we need a new goal to see all the churches! It was quite a surprise that John Wesley seemed to follow along much of the same path as St. Patrick (though not at the same time!)