The Saint Patrick Centre
The Story Of Ireland Starts Here
The Saint Patrick Centre is one of Northern Ireland's leading attractions and a must see destination on the way from Dublin to Belfast. We are a registered charity as well as an important educational resource about the life of Ireland's most famous export - Saint Patrick.
No trip to Ireland is complete without a visit to the National Grave of Saint Patrick. Discover his incredible story at the Saint Patrick Centre in the medieval town of Downpatrick just 35 minutes south of Belfast.
Please take a look around our website and feel free to get in touch with us to arrange your visit.
The Story Of Ireland Starts Here
The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland's Patron Saint.
The story of Ireland starts here in the words of Saint Patrick himself - explore Patrick's life and legacy in our award winning interactive galleries and IMAX experience. Discover our Art Gallery, Craft shop and Garden Cafe with its views to the Medieval Cathedral of Down where the National Grave of Saint Patrick is located.
Journey to the fabulous local sites associated with Patrick to discover Inch Abbey where the legends of the snakes was written and the first church in Ireland at Saul were Patrick died on March 17th.
SPIRIT OF SAINT PATRICK INTERNATIONAL YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION
The Saint Patrick Centre is launching an international writing competition to celebrate its 20th Anniversary and is inviting young aspiring writers to write about human trafficking and slavery worldwide.
The International Spirit of Patrick Writing competition is open to young writers aged 16 to 20, as St Patrick himself was trafficked to Ireland aged 16 around 410AD. Find out more here.
THE GIFT OF A CAMINO EXPERIENCE
Be ready for a new experience after Lockdown and send family and friends on St Patrick’s Way in 2021 in Downpatrick.
This unique experience – a guided pilgrim walk, bus tour or canoe trip– in the beauty of St Patrick’s Country, Downpatrick and Newcastle – can be given as a gift for the forthcoming tourist season (April onwards).
Just find a tour you like here, e-mail us on info@saintpatrickcentre.com and we will help you book it. We will send the gift voucher to the recipient and organise dates with them. Watch our Video to find out more.
Opening Hours
The Saint Patrick Centre is closed at present under Government Restrictions but we are planning amazing new adventures for when its safe to open again in 2021.A VIRTUAL DANCE CELEBRATION!
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day the virtual way – A Celebration of International Irish Dance. Calling all dance enthusiasts! We seek Irish Dance Schools, Professionals, Soloists, Set dancers and Sean Nos dancers of all ages and abilities to showcase their talents by sending in a performance which we will showcase on Saint Patrick’s Day at the Home of Saint Patrick. We need 90 seconds of video by 15th of March – info@saintpatrickcentre.com.
SAINT PATRICK’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY KIDS’ ART COMPETITION
Saint Patrick Centre is launching an online art competition to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and to mark our Twentieth Anniversary serving the community at home and abroad.
With public celebrations on hold due to Covid-19 this Saint Patrick’s Day, the Downpatrick-based Centre is offering a chance for children to recreate the Spirit of Patrick through art.
Primary school pupils are invited to take part and win prizes which include Nintendo Switches and an i-PAD mini. Find Out More Here.
What our Visitors Say -
