Actor Ciaran tells history of St Patrick at centre’s exhibition

Actor Ciaran tells history of St Patrick at centre’s exhibition

1 March 2023

BEFORE Hollywood came calling, actor Ciaran Hinds was hired to tell the story of Ireland’s most famous son — St Patrick. 

The Belfast actor was recruited by the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick to be the voice of the patron saint, who began his mission to Ireland in 432AD at Saul.

When the centre was opening the world’s only permanent exhibition to St Patrick back in 2001, it needed an actor for the iconic voice of Patrick. 

“It was really important we got it right,” said centre director Dr Tim Campbell. “At the time Ciaran Hinds was not as well known. But he had a commanding voice and our gamble paid off.”

Almost a quarter of a century later, Hinds is an Oscar-nominated superstar and the Saint Patrick exhibition, awarded the most Innovative Tourist Business in 2022 by Tourism Northern Ireland, is once again finishing a major redevelopment which continues to feature his voice in the leading role.

This time the entire story is being reimagined to include how St Patrick’s Day has become the biggest annual festival in the world, actively celebrated by over eight million people in almost every country on the globe. And it’s growing.

“Our exhibition, which will be launched before St Patrick’s Day needed to go international to keep up with the story,” said Dr Campbell.

“As the home of Saint Patrick we asked the Irish diaspora to contribute costumes to show how they celebrate and we were inundated with offers.” 

Amongst the articles to be on display is a handmade Maori Irish dancing costume from New Zealand, a full dress uniform worn by the Lexington Minutemen of the Boston Parade, a dress from the  ‘Spirit Voices from the Sea’ Dublin parade and the American insignia and sash from the President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America.

Each item has its own story and most were sourced and brought to Downpatrick as carry-on luggage by friends and supporters of the Saint Patrick Centre.

“The new galleries will offer an inspiring journey across oceans, centuries and cultures,” said Dr Campbell. 

The exhibition is being relaunched with support from Tourism NI, which provided the Saint Patrick Centre with the offer of £200,000 from the Experience Development Programme 2020-2021.

 “We are so grateful for this support which is a recognition of the importance of the Centre both at home and abroad,” said Dr Campbell.

“There is so much more to Saint Patrick than people realise. He embodies many modern themes including slavery — because he was trafficked himself — women’s rights, redemption, forgiveness of his captors, and a deep spiritual faith in God.

“St Patrick still has the capacity to as bring people together — what better cross-community role model in Northern Ireland than someone from Britain who became patron saint of Ireland?’

The Saint Patrick Centre exhibition has been transformed by the creative designers behind the Titanic Centre experience  and includes new high definition video presentations, new storyboards and a huge immersive projection table in the shape of Ireland.

The table is especially appealing to children and tells the tale of Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland.

The exhibition’s five-screen 180-degree cinema remains the highlight of the experience and this has been entirely reimagined.

“Technology has really moved on since we did the original experience,” Dr Campbell continued.

“Twenty years ago, we had to strap five cameras to a hired helicopter but now we use drones which can bring you to many more exciting places including being literally face to face with the world’s tallest statue of St Patrick at Saul.”

For those who would like to explore St Patrick’s Country around Downpatrick the Saint Patrick Centre has also developed the award winning St Patrick’s Way — the Camino of Ireland.

Former Adoration Sisters turned pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly are among the guide walkers between the sites of St Patrick and help lead The Journey, which stays four nights in Tobar Mhuire retreat centre in Crossgar.

“If you think you know St Patrick, think again,” Martina said. “St Patrick’s story will blow your socks off and back on again. Why not come and be amazed?”