Beacon lit in Seaforde in memory of Saint Patrick

Beacon lit in Seaforde in memory of Saint Patrick

20 March 2024

BEACONS were lit at local Church of Ireland churches to mark St Patrick’s Day.

Loughinisland Parish Church in Seaforde was one of over 100 churches in the diocese of Down and Dromore to light a beacon in memory of the patron saint.

Patrick famously defied the Irish High King to light a Paschal fire, and tradition records that he was miraculously delivered from the King’s wrath. 

It is said that once lit, the flame of faith would never go out in Ireland.

The beacon lighting on March 17 followed on from the previous day’s celebrations in Down Cathedral.

The guest preacher was the Bishop of Lancaster, the Right Rev Dr Jill Duff.

Her recent book, which includes details of the story of Patrick at Slane, is called ‘Light the Beacons’.

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev David McClay, lit the first beacon at the cathedral following the festival service.