Huge cross may be erected near Down Cathedral

Huge cross may be erected near Down Cathedral

14 December 2016

A NEW four metre high St Patrick’s Cross based on fragments of an eighth century original has been envisaged as a beacon for modern-day pilgrims and tourists in Downpatrick.

The favoured location for the £35,000 Mourne granite replica cross would likely be beside St Patrick’s grave beside Down Cathedral where the remains once stood.

Currently three fragments of the cross — thought to have been commissioned by King Fiachna of Ulaid who ruled County Down from around 750 to 789 — remain just inside the entrance of Down Cathedral.  But having recently undergone specialist cleaning it is now thought the fragments could be scanned and a digital model created for replication. The finished product would be in the same G2 Mourne granite as the original, given the name ‘St Patrick’s Cross’ from around the mid 19th century.

Details of the proposed project were presented at Newry Mourne and Down Council’s Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism Committee on Monday.

A report stated: “There is potential for St Patrick’s Cross to become an icon for St Patrick tourism which would provide an additional boost to those Downpatrick venues presenting the story of St Patrick to a worldwide audience.

Currently over 800 coaches visit Downpatrick each year because of its links to St Patrick, and it is intended that those visitors will experience all the above venues, and especially the vocal point of St Patrick’s Grave. This project should therefore attract the support of Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland.”

Councillors heard the three original fragments were cleaned with the help of a grant from the Down and Lecale Historical Society, revealing fine early Irish designs of interlace, fretwork and spirals, which date the cross to the eighth century when the monastery of Down had recently been established.

Councillors agreed to note the inclusion of a £25,000 council contribution in the draft capital programme for 2017-18 towards the new cross, though the full cost is expected to be in the region of £35,000.

If it gets the go-ahead the project would be a partnership between Down Cathedral authorities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council. It would also be the second historical cross initiative at the cathedral. The successful Downpatrick High Cross project involved the long-term loan of an early 10th century High Cross at Down Cathedral to Down County Museum and the creation of an accurate replica to replace the original outside the east end of the cathedral.

Dean of Down Henry Hull paid tribute to Mike King, Curator at Down Museum for his work in helping piece together the St Patrick’s cross.

“They were obviously old stones but he was able to link them to the old St Patrick’s cross,” said Dean Hull. “It is as significant now as when Francis Biggar marked St Patrick’s grave at the Cathedral 100 years ago.

“People will come in pilgrimage. We have also recently noticed an increase in visitors.

“I am very glad to hear the council are in discussions.”

The vice-chairman of the Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism committee, councillor Dermot Curran, said the committee was enthusiastic about the project.

“Anything in relation to St Patrick is important to our tourism and we do not seem to be currently taking full advantage here in Down District,” he said. “It also highlights our urgent need for a hotel in the area.”

The plans for the St Patrick’s Cross are due to be considered at the next full meeting of Down Council.