|
Downpatrick
find holiday homes in Downpatrick
|
Downpatrick is the
County Town of Down. It is reputedly the burial place of St Patrick
and is one of Ireland’s ancient and historic towns. It takes its
name from a dún (fort), which once stood on the hill that dominates
the town and on which the cathedral now stands.
Downpatrick is an interesting old town still retaining something of
its 18th century atmosphere. The town is a charming collection of
late Georgian and early Victorian buildings set on two low hills.
Its 18th century gaol now houses the Down County Museum (free) and
the St Patrick Heritage Centre. The former has some interesting
exhibits of Stone Age artefacts and local history; the latter tells
the story of St Patrick using extracts from his autobiography,
Confessions, and also runs a video featuring other locations around
the town associated with him.
Anyone with the slightest interest in steam locomotives will be
delighted with the Downpatrick Railway Museum in Market Street.
There are working engines here; a photographic display and a model
railway in the former station house.
Downpatrick Golf Club is parkland course measuring 6120 yards, and
with tight tree lined fairways, fast and true greens and well placed
bunkers provides a serious test of shot making. Downpatrick
Racecourse, is located on the Ballydugan Road on the outskirts of
Downpatrick. Horse racing has been held at Downpatrick for over 300
years
Close to Downpatrick is Ballynoe stone circle, a Megalithic monument
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.
|
Home
Downpatrick Holiday Homes - County Down, Ireland