Parish of Downpatrick
Lecale Pastoral Family
Downpatrick Parish has, over the years contributed significantly to the life of the Church in The Greater Lecale Area and throughout the Diocese of Down and Connor. Many Bishops and Priests of the Diocese were nurtured here – William Crolly, Patrick Dorrian and Patrick McAlister in the last Century.
A Little History:
St. Patrick’s Church was built on Mount St Patrick in the years 1868 to 1872. It replaced an older church of the same name which had been in existence from 1787, but had fallen into considerable disrepair. The architect for the new church was John O’Neill, Belfast, a leading member of the profession who earned himself the title of ‘The Pugin of the North’!
The Parish Priest responsible for the building of the church was Fr. Patrick O’Kane who died on July 19th 1906. St. Patrick’s served the catholic population in the town on its own for over 100 year. During that time, the interior was tastefully embellished and decorated, and its beauty admired by successive generations of parishioners and pilgrim who visit Downpatrick to venerate the last resting place of St. Patrick, the last Apostle of Ireland who is buried locally at down Cathedral.
In 1973, when Canon Patrick Conway (1967-1976) was Parish Priest, two additional churches, St. Brigid’s and St. Colmcilles were built, they were necessary because of the growth of population at that time and were located at opposite ends of the town – The Killough Road and at Rathkeltair Road. In 1980, the parish were able to purchase property and gardens in Stream Street, making an extension to St. Patrick’s possible. Workmen entered the site on August 20th 1990 and the work on the extension was complete in time for the blessing and dedication ceremony by Bishop Walsh on Sunday 23rd May 1993. Several additions were made to the church during the time of renovation – the shrine in honour of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, which is located in the apse of the transept, a new statue of St Patrick stands in the central wall of the shrine and the area is enclosed by bronze screens of the eight Irish saints. Three stained glass windows are set above the highly colourful mosaic covering all three walls with scenes from the saint’s lives.
The Town
Downpatrick is one of Ireland’s most ancient and historic towns. It takes its name from a Dun (Fort) which once stood on the hill that dominates the town and on which Down Cathedral stands.
The Largest town in the Lecale area, Downpatrick is a commercial, recreational and administrative centre for the locality and serves as a hub for nearby towns and villages, within an hours drive of Belfast, Downpatrick serves as a commuter town for a large number of people. The town has a number of Nursery, Primary and Post Primary Schools educating students from all over the East Down Area.
St. Malachy
St. Malachy was born in Armagh in 1094. He was ordained a Priest by St. Cellach in 1119. He was chosen Abbot of Bangor in 1123, a year later he was consecrated Bishop of Down & Connor and in 1132, he was promoted to the Primacy of Armagh.
St. Malachy founded a Priory of Austin Canons at Downpatrick.
St. Malachy’s Feast Day is celebrated on November 3rd. He is Patron Saint of The Archdiocese of Armagh and The Diocese of Down & Connor.
Struell Wells
Struell Wells are a set of Four Holy Wells, located 1.5 miles east of Downpatrick. The Wells date from before the time of St. Patrick. Pilgrims from all over the world visit the Wells, particularly on Mid -Summers Eve and the Friday before Lammas.
The site is traditionally associated with St. Patrick, who is supposed to have come from nearby Saul to bathe in the waters. St. Patrick’s is said to have blessed the wells.
