Downpatrick: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox UK place |
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|official_name= Downpatrick |
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|irish_name= Dún Pádraig |
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|scots_name= Dounpatrick |
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|local_name= |
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|static_image= [[File:Downpatrick view (02), August 2009.JPG|240px]] |
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|static_image_caption= |
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|map_type= Northern Ireland |
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|latitude= 54.322 |
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|longitude= -5.703 |
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|irish_grid_reference= |
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| population = 10,316 |
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| population_ref = <small>([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]]) |
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|unitary_northern_ireland=[[Down District Council|Down District]] |
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|lieutenancy_northern_ireland=[[County Down]] |
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|constituency_westminster=[[South Down (UK Parliament constituency)|South Down]] |
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|constituency_ni_assembly=[[South Down (Assembly constituency)|South Down]] |
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|country= Northern Ireland |
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|post_town= DOWNPATRICK |
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|postcode_area= BT |
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|postcode_district= BT30 |
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|dial_code= 028 |
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|website= |
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}} |
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[[Image:Down Cathedral.JPG|thumb|right|225px|[[Down Cathedral]]]] |
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[[Image:Saint Patrick's grave Downpatrick.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Reputed grave of St. Patrick]] |
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[[Image:Quoile Castle, geograph.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Quoile Castle, near Downpatrick]] |
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'''Downpatrick''' ({{derive|Irish|Dún Pádraig|[[Saint Patrick|Patrick's]] stronghold}}) is a town in [[County Down]] in [[Northern Ireland]], about 33 km south of [[Belfast]]. It is the [[county town]] of Down with a rich history and strong connection to [[Saint Patrick]]. It had 10,316 inhabitants recorded in the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]]. Downpatrick is where [[Down District Council]] has its headquarters. |
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== Overview == |
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As the largest town in the [[Lecale peninsula|Lecale]] area, Downpatrick is a commercial, recreational and administrative centre for the locality and serves as a hub for the nearby towns and villages. Within an hour drive of [[Belfast]], the location serves as a [[commuter town]] for a large number of people. The town has a number of primary and post-primary schools educating students from all over the east Down area. |
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== Geography == |
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Downpatrick is characterised by the rolling [[drumlin]]s that are a feature of the Lecale area and a legacy of [[glaciation]] during the [[Pleistocene]], the Down drumlins themselves are underlaid by [[Ordovician]] and [[Silurian]] shales and grits. It also has the distinction of being the lowest place on the island of [[Ireland]], with the marsh surrounding the north east of the town recorded as being 1.3 ft (0.4m) below sea level.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} Downpatrick is approximately {{convert|22|mi|km}} from Belfast with a regular bus service. |
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== History == |
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===Pre-history=== |
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An early [[Bronze Age]] site was excavated in Downpatrick on the Meadowlands housing estate, revealing two round houses. One measured over four metres in diameter and contained a hearth in the centre, while the other round house was over seven metres across.<ref>{{cite book | last=Mallory, JP & McNeill, TE| year=1991 |title=The Archaeology of Ulster from Colonization to Plantation | publisher=Institute of Irish Studies, QUB | location=Belfast | pages=95}}</ref> |
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===Early history=== |
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Downpatrick is one of Ireland's most ancient and historic towns. It takes its name from a ''dún'' (fort), which once stood on the hill that dominates the town and on which [[Down Cathedral]] stands. [[Ptolemy]], about the year AD 130, includes it (in [[latin]]) as ''Dunum'' in his list of towns of Ireland. The old name of the town was ''Rath Celtair'' named after the fictional warrior of Ulster called [[Celtchar]] (in modern Irish: ''Cealtachair'') who resided there and who fought alongside Ulster King Conchobar mac Neasa and is mentioned in the [[Ulster Cycle]] and, in particular, the [[Táin Bó Cuailgne]] . The name was superseded by the name ''Dún Lethglaise'' then ''Dún Dá Lethglas'' which in turn gave way, in the 13th century, to the present name of ''Dún Phádraig'' (anglicised as Downpatrick) - from the town's connection with the patron saint of Ireland. |
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[[Saint Patrick]] was reputedly buried here in 461 on Cathedral Hill, within the grounds of Down Cathedral. His grave is still a place of pilgrimage on [[St Patricks Day]] ([[17 March]] each year). The [[Saint Patrick Visitor Centre]] in Downpatrick is purpose-built to tell the story of St Patrick. |
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County Down was the ancient centre of the [[Dál Fiatach]] lands, and the chief royal site and religious centre of the Dál Fiatach was at Downpatrick. |
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After having received a grant of Ulster from [[King Henry II of England]], [[Norman]] Knight, [[John de Courcy]] set out from Dublin in early 1177 to take possession of it. He marched north to with a force of 20 knights and 300 men and reached Downpatrick four days later. Downpatrick was an open ecclesiastical town of the old type and the invaders rode in and surprised it in the small hours of February 2. De Courcy attacked the fortress and administrative centre of Rath Celtair (the Mound of Down), defeating and driving off Rory MacDonlevy (''Ruaidri Mac Duinnshleibhe''). |
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In 1183, John de Courcy brought in some [[Benedictine]]s from [[Chester]] in [[England]] and built a cathedral friary for them at Downpatrick. This building was destroyed by an [[earthquake]] in 1245.<ref>{{cite book | last=DeBreffny, D & Mott, G| year=1976 |title=The Churches and Abbeys of Ireland | publisher=Thames & Hudson | location=London | pages=60–61}}</ref> |
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In 1260 Brian O'Neill, King of Tír Eoghain (Tyrone) and who had been acknowledged as High King of Ireland by Hugh O’Conor of Connacht and Tadhg O’Brien of Thomond marched to Downpatrick, a centre of English settlement, and, allied with a Connacht force under Hugh O’Conor, fought the foreigners in the [[Battle of Down]]. The battle took place outside the city of Down and O'Neill, 8 Connacht lords and many others died. |
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===18th Century=== |
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Four main thoroughfares are shown converging on a town plan of 1724, namely, English Street, Scotch (now Saul) Street, Barrack (now Scotch) Street, and Irish Street. Topography limited expansion of the town and so the basic early 18th century street plan continued largely unchanged until 1838 when Church Street was built, followed by Market Street in 1846. |
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The condition of the town was greatly improved in the 18th century by a land-owning family named Southwell. The first Edward Southwell was responsible for building a [[shambles]] in 1719 and encourage paving of the streets which started in in 1727. Importantly, in 1717 he built a a quay and grain store at Quoile Quay, thereby, contributing to the economic expansion of the town. The second Edward Southwell was responsible for building, in 1733, one of the most beautiful examples of a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] charity school and [[almshouse]], Southwell School, Downpatrick. |
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Down County Infirmary was established in a house in Saul Street in October 1767, and remained there for seven years until it was moved to Barrack Lane (now Fountain Street) where the former Horse Barracks, was purchased, in 1774, for £150 for use as the [[Infirmary]]. It was used until the new Infirmary (now the Downe Hospital) was opened in 1834. |
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===19th Century=== |
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On 21 October 1803, co-founder and leader of the [[United Irishmen]], [[Thomas Russell]], "the man from God knows where", was hung outside Downpatrick Goal for his part in Robert Emmet's failed rebellion of the same year. Thomas Russell is buried in the graveyard of the Anglican parish Church of Downpatrick, St Margaret's, in a grave paid for by his great friend, Mary Ann McCracken sister of leading Belfast United Irishman [[Henry Joy McCracken]]. |
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===The Troubles=== |
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For more information see [[The Troubles in Downpatrick]], which includes a list of incidents in Downpatrick during [[The Troubles]] resulting in fatalities. |
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==Places of interest== |
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[[File:Inch abbey near Downpatrick - geograph.org.uk - 740083.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Inch Abbey]] |
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*[[Ballyalton Court Cairn]] is a [[Court cairn|single court grave]] situated on a rock outcrop by the roadside {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} from Ballyalton village, which is {{convert|2.25|mi|km}} east of Downpatrick, at grid ref 531 448.<ref name="EE">{{cite book | last=Evans, E| year=1966 |title=Prehistoric and Early Christian Ireland. A Guide | publisher=BT Batsford | location=London | pages=93–94}}</ref> |
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*[[Ballynoe Stone Circle]], a large circle of over 50 closely-spaced upright stones, surrounding a mound which, when excavated, was found to contain two [[cist]]s in which cremated bones were found, is only 2.5 miles (4 km) south in the hamlet of [[Ballynoe]]. The site is near the disused railway station, reached by a long footpath off the main road, at grid ref: J481404.<ref>{{cite book | last=Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland| year=1983 |title=Historic Monuments of Northern Ireland | publisher=HMSO | location= Belfast | pages=88}}</ref> |
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*[[Downpatrick Racecourse]], is located on the Ballydugan Road on the outskirts of Downpatrick. Horse racing has been held at Downpatrick under the charter of [[James II of England]]. |
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*[[Inch Abbey]], a large, ruined [[Cistercian]] monastic site featuring early [[Gothic architecture]] is 0.75 miles (1.2 km) north-west of Downpatrick on the north bank of the [[River Quoile]] off the main road to Belfast, at grid ref: J477455. |
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*The [[Lecale peninsula]] covers an area of some {{convert|78|sqmi|km2}} between Downpatrick and [[Dundrum, County Down|Dundrum]]. It is an area of historical and geographic significance. |
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*The Mound of Down or Rathkeltair is one of the major earthworks of Ulster, situated on the NW edge of Downpatrick it is a good example of an [[Iron Age]] defensive earthwork in the middle of which a Norman [[Motte and Bailey]] was built by [[John de Courcy]] after his defeat of Rory Mac Donlevy in 1177. Some believe that it was the residence of [[Celtchar]] mac Ulthechair, the legendary Iron Age hero of the Ulster Cycle. It seems to have become the administrative centre of the Kings of [[Dál Fiatach]] by the early Christian period. |
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*[[Quoile Castle]] is a ruined 16th century [[Tower house]], just off the main road from Downpatrick to [[Strangford]], at grid ref: J4963 4701. |
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*[[Struell Wells]] is a set of four [[holy well]]s 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Downpatrick (grid ref: J513442).<ref>{{cite book | last=Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland| year=1983 |title=Historic Monuments of Northern Ireland | publisher=HMSO | location=Belfast | pages=113–114}}</ref> The wells date from before the time of [[Saint Patrick]], and even today are used for people seeking cures.<ref>{{cite book | last=Donnelly, JP & Donnelly, MM| year=1980 |title=Downpatrick and Lecale. A Short Historical Guide | pages=42–43}}</ref> |
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== Demographics == |
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Downpatrick is classified as a medium town by the [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (i.e. with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people)<ref>[http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency]</ref>. On Census day ([[29 April]] 2001) there were 10,316 people living in Downpatrick. Of these: |
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*26.6% were aged under 16 years and 16.0% were aged 60 and over |
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*48.5% of the population were male and 51.5% were female |
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*86.8% were from a [[Roman Catholic]] background and 11.9% were from a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] background |
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*5.1% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed. <ref>[http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Neighbourhood Information Service]</ref> |
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== Transport == |
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*Downpatrick is situated at the junction of the [[A7 road (Northern Ireland)|A7]] (Downpatrick to [[Saintfield]] and [[Belfast]]) road, the A25 (Downpatrick to [[Newry]] and [[Dublin]]) road and the [[A2 road (Northern Ireland)|A2 coast road]]. Whilst there are no rail services in Downpatrick, [[Ulsterbus]] provides bus services to and from the Downpatrick Bus Station. |
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*Downpatrick railway station on the [[Belfast and County Down Railway]], opened on [[23 March]] [[1859]] and Downpatrick Loop Platform opened on [[24 September]] [[1892]]. Both closed on [[16 January]] [[1950]]. Downpatrick Racecourse Platform had opened on [[8 March]] [[1893]], but closed in September 1949.<ref>{{cite web | title=Downpatrick station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-10-12}}</ref> |
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== Education == |
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'''Primary schools''' |
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*Bunscoil Naomh Pádraig |
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*Convent of Mercy Girls' Primary school |
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*Downpatrick Primary School |
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*Down High School Prep. Department |
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*St Brigid's Primary school |
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*St Colmcille's Primary school |
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*St Patrick's Boys' Primary school |
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'''Post-primary schools''' |
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*De la Salle High school - Boys' High School |
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*[[Down High School]] - [[Grammar School]] |
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*[[Black Water High School]] - Integrated High School |
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*St Mary's High school - Girls' High School |
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*[[St. Patrick's Grammar School, Downpatrick|St Patrick's Grammar School]] (known locally as "The Red High") - boys' [[grammar school]] (mixed in upper school) |
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'''Further and higher education''' |
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*[[South Eastern Regional College]] ( Downpatrick Campus ) - the local campus of the regional further and higher education college |
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==Media== |
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The area is served by two weekly [[newspaper]]s: |
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* ''[[Down Democrat]]'' - now defunct |
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* ''[[Down Recorder]]'' - established 1836 |
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[[Down FM]] is the local community [[radio station]] broadcasting on 105.0 MHz. The station's RDS [[programme identification]] (PI) tag is "Down FM". The station's parent organisation is [[South Eastern Regional College]]. |
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== People == |
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* Ann Breen, a country singer, is from Downpatrick. She is often referred to as "The Star Of The County Down". |
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* [[Lynn Doyle]], the pseudonym of the humorist & playwright Leslie Alexander Montgomery, was born in Downpatrick on [[5 October]] [[1873]] (died [[18 August]] [[1961]]). He was part of the Ulster Literary Theatre movement and is most famous for his ''Ballygullion'' series of 20 books which fondly caricatured Northern Ireland village life. Interestingly he chose his pseudonym after seeing a large tin of linseed oil in a paint shop, initially signing "Lynn C. Doyle" but later dropping the "C.". |
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* Dr. [[Maurice Hayes]], the former [[Northern Ireland Ombudsman]], Chairman of the Ireland Funds and Taoiseach-appointed Senator in [[Seanad Éireann]], was born and still lives in Downpatrick. He has written a memoir about growing up in the town titled ''Black Puddings with Slim''. He served as town clerk of Downpatrick in the 1960s, succeeding his father in the role. |
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* The rock bands [[Ash (band)|Ash]] and [[Relish (band)|Relish]] are from Downpatrick. |
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* [[Paul Mahon]], guitarist of rock band [[The Answer (band)|The Answer]] is from Downpatrick. |
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* [[James Heatley]], drummer for rock band [[The Answer (band)|The Answer]] lives in Downpatrick. |
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* [[Ian Mitchell (musician)|Ian Mitchell]] from the band [[Bay City Rollers]] was born in Downpatrick. |
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* [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]], the [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] and [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] striker was born in Downpatrick. |
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* The comedian [[Colin Murphy (comedian)|Colin Murphy]] hails from Downpatrick. |
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* [[Patrick Kielty]] attended (St. Patrick's Grammar) school in Downpatrick. |
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* [[Miles Kington]] journalist, musician and broadcaster born in Downpatrick. |
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* [[Thomas Russell (rebel)|Thomas Russell]] the [[United Irishman]] co-founder who took part in the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798]] and [[Robert Emmet]]'s failed rebellion of 1803 was gaoled and executed at Down County Gaol by hanging on [[October 21]], [[1803]]. His memory is honoured by the local GAA club being named after him. |
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* The Fagatron, Brian Gaffney Junior lives here. He drives a fag mobile. Fagatron. |
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==Sport== |
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===Gaelic games=== |
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Downpatrick is home to RGU Dún Phádraig GAC. The Russell Gaelic Union was formed by an Englishman a Scotsman and an Irishman: Willie King, Alex McDowell and Willie Byrne respectively, in the county town in the early 20th century.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The team traditionally wears green and white hoops and is the only GAA team in Ireland registered under these colours.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Downpatrick has had mixed fortunes over the years but has still managed to produce excellent county footballers such as [[Ray McConville]],William Walsh, [[Conor Deegan]], [[Barry Breen]] and [[Ben Collins]], all of whom won All-Irelands with Down. |
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===Soccer=== |
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Downpatrick's most prominent team is [[Downpatrick F.C.]], which competes in the [[Northern Amateur Football League]]. There are, however, numerous other clubs associated with the town, and others from surrounding areas. These include [http://www.rossglasscounty.net Rossglass County] and Ballyvange. There are also many youth teams such as the Celtic Bhoys, the Shamrocks, Rossglass and Patrician, who, along with many other teams in the area, participate in the Downpatrick Youth League. Downpatrick is home to one of the biggest Irish branches of the [[Manchester United]] Supporters' Club, the ''Downpatrick Manchester United Supporters' Club'', which was founded in 1993. |
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===Snooker and billiards=== |
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Downpatrick is also the home of the Downpatrick and District Snooker and Billiards League. Many of the local towns compete in the highly successful leagues. Teams from Downpatrick, [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]], [[Ballynahinch, County Down|Ballynahinch]], [[Crossgar]], [[Drumaness]] and Ballyalton strive to be the best in the local district. |
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===Other sports=== |
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[http://www.downpatrickcricketclub.com/ Downpatrick Cricket Club] and [http://www.downpatrickgolfclub.org.uk/ Downpatrick Golf Club] have their own club grounds. The town also has its own tennis club [http://www.downpatricktennisclub.co.uk/ Downpatrick Tennis Club.]Downpatrick has several other clubs that use the facilities of the Down Leisure Centre (run by Down District Council) such as the Lecale Amateur Swimming Club and the East Down Athletics Club. |
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== See also == |
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{{Commonscat|Downpatrick}} |
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* [[Downpatrick (Parliament of Ireland constituency)]] |
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* [[Brian Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick]] |
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* [[Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick]] |
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* [[List of towns in Northern Ireland]] |
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* [[List of villages in Northern Ireland]] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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*[http://www.activdownpatrick.com/ Online Guide to Downpatrick] |
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*[http://www.armaghanddown.com/ Armagh and Down Tourism] |
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*[http://www.downrail.co.uk Downpatrick & County Down Railway] |
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*[http://www.downcountymuseum.com Down County Museum] |
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*[http://www.downartscentre.com Down Arts Centre] |
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*[http://www.downpatrickdistrict-snookerbilliards.com Downpatrick & District Snooker & Billiards League] |
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{{NorthernIrishTowns}} |
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[[Category:Downpatrick| ]] |
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[[Category:County towns in Northern Ireland]] |
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[[Category:Towns with cathedrals in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[ga:Dún Pádraig]] |
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Revision as of 16:02, 25 November 2009
is not that good