Tour planned to boost Saint Patrick’s area

Tour planned to boost Saint Patrick’s area

2 March 2016

A NEW interactive tour bringing to light the life and legacy of Saint Patrick has been officially launched. 

Dr Thérèse Cullen — founder of Irish Monastic Tours — launched the new initiative last week with the Saint Patrick: The Man, the Myth, the Legend tour suitable for both local people well as international tourists looking to learn more about St Patrick and discover ancient sites and monuments linked to the life and legacy of Ireland’s Patron Saint.  

Residents from outside the district will be bussed to the area as part of the tour, with local people being given an opportunity to rendezvous with the tour operator when the coaches arrive in Downpatrick.

The tour will visit ancient sites closely associated with the patron saint. They include Saul Church — St. Patrick’s first church in Ireland — Struell Wells, pre-Christian wells that have been a place of healing for 15 centuries and Inch Abbey, where the story of the saint and the snakes was recorded.

The tour also features a visit to Downpatrick’s High Cross housed in the Down County Museum, Down Cathedral and the traditional site of the saint’s grave and The Saint Patrick Centre. 

Dr Cullen said the story of St. Patrick provides elements that everyone can relate to.

She continued: “St Patrick is part of our common Christian heritage on this island as he predates sectarian disputes and has been claimed by both communities.”

Dr Cullen has a wide background of knowledge ranging from archaeology to theology giving her the ability to tailor the tour to her guests’ interests and people with all levels of knowledge of St Patrick. Having most recently researched the commemoration of St Patrick in Downpatrick, Dr Cullen is an expert on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

“While St Patrick’s Day has become a day most commonly spent in the pub, it’s important to remember why we celebrate it. What better way to kick off this year’s celebrations than by getting outdoors and experiencing the same landmarks as Patrick did 25 centuries ago?” Dr Cullen added.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman, Mickey Ruane, said the local authority is delighted that Thérèse’s Irish Monastic Tours has set up a “brilliant new day tour” to the Downpatrick area from Belfast. 

“The tour gives visitors the opportunity to explore the wonderful legacy of St. Patrick in our stunning local countryside and visit amazing local churches, monuments, museums and centres so closely connected with Ireland’s Patron Saint. This is a great way for us to celebrate the run-up to St Patrick’s Day and promises to bring more visitors to the town of Downpatrick,” he added.

The ticket cost for what is being described as a “unique tour opportunity” is £30 per person, with pick up on Saturdays at Jury’s Hotel in Great Victoria Street at 9.30am, returning to Belfast around 5pm. The cost for local people wishing to participate in the tour will be less, with the exact figure due to be confirmed shortly.

The tour will take place every Saturday commencing this Saturday. Tickets can be booked directly through Irish Monastic Tours www.irishmonastictours.com or through Visit Belfast http://visit-belfast.com.