Loughinisland author delves into legacy of St Patrick

Loughinisland author delves into legacy of St Patrick

3 October 2018

THE St Patrick’s Treasury is a unique celebration of the myths, legends and traditions of Ireland’s patron saint.

Written by Loughinisland man John Killen, author and former chief librarian at the Linenhall Library in Belfast, it reflects a long-held interest in the life, writings and legacy of St Patrick.

Beautifully illustrated, this book from Blackstaff Press includes information on places associated with Patrick, such as Downpatrick, Saul, Armagh, Cashel and Slemish.

It also examines various religious relics and traditions associated with one of the best-known and best-loved saints in the world.

It’s an accessible yet meticulous approach, which has been a labour of love for John, who brings together the stories that have been associated with St Patrick across the centuries. Of particular interest to local readers will be sections on Saul — the place of Patrick’s landing.

Observing the interest of those outside Ireland on St Patrick, John began thinking seriously about his book project five years ago.

He said: “St Patrick is so obviously supported across the world – what is it that causes that support?

“I was brought up outside Downpatrick in Loughinisland. I assumed I knew everything about St Patrick.  I wanted to see – what do we know about St Patrick? I wanted to go back. I wanted an anthology of people’s writings throughout the centuries, build up a picture of what he was and what he means throughout our history over 1,600 years.”

John said some of his findings were  a “total surprise”, such as the article by Maureen Donnelly ‘The Altar Stone of Saul Abbey’. This details how the altar stone on which Patrick is said to have celebrated Holy Communion ended up on a wagon owned by a man who wanted it for the doorstep of his new house at the junction of Saul Street and Scotch Street in 1757. But the wagon overturned, the stone broke and it found its way instead to the Catholic Church in Saul.

“I never realised there was an altar stone of St Patrick actually in Saul chapel,” John said. “I went three times to try and see it. I could not get in the first time as there was a ceremony on. It took me a bit of time to find it. This is one of the earliest and possibly holiest relics in Ireland open to all to see.”

John said he was also “blown away” by a stained-glass window, ‘Patrick Arrives in Saul’, in Saul Chapel.

“The three windows are designed so the three windows show one image,” he explained. “It is absolutely beautiful.”

John is the author of many books, including The Irish Christmas Book and The Unkindest Cut: A Cartoon History of Ulster 1900-2000, as well as books on the Irish famine and the United Irishmen.

Surrounded by sites linked to our patron saint in Downpatrick, John believes at times we “can’t see the woods from the trees”.

He points to the massive success of less important sites in the south, or how such a historical location would promoted “to the nth degree” in the US.

“I think that is the challenge for people here today,” he said. “There is so much scope, there really is. I think we lose the wood from the trees. So many stories, so many things to pursue.

Interestingly, his research points to an attitude from some in the south of Patrick being a “northern saint”. There is also, of course, the increased secularisation of Ireland.

“But there are still a massive amount of people who are people of faith,” John continued.

“We live in an area of huge historical importance. Because we are so familiar we often just take it for granted.”

The St Patrick’s Treasury is available through selected bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon.