St. Patrick’s Parish (Diocese of Down and Connor)
St. Patrick’s Parish is in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and is part of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
It is dedicated to Saint Patrick.
| St. Patrick’s Parish | |
| [[File:|150px|center]] | |
| Dedication: | Saint Patrick |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Down and Connor |
| Deanery: | Down Deanery |
| Address: | St. Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 6DN |
| Coordinates: | 54.3266, -5.7155 |
| City: | Downpatrick |
| Subdivision: | Northern Ireland |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| County: | County Down |
| Website: | https://www.stpatricksdownpatrick.com |
| Founded: | 1835 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | downpatrick@downandconnor.org |
History
St. Patrick’s Parish in Downpatrick was formally established in 1835, though its roots trace back to earlier Catholic communities in the area, tied to St. Patrick’s legacy as Ireland’s patron saint. Downpatrick is traditionally considered the burial place of St. Patrick, who is said to have died there in 461 AD, and the parish draws on this ancient Christian heritage. The current St. Patrick’s Church was constructed between 1835 and 1838 under the leadership of Rev. Richard McMullan, reflecting the post-Catholic Emancipation surge in church-building across Ireland. The parish expanded over time, incorporating nearby chapels like St. Brigid’s (Rathkeltair) and St. Malachy’s (Kilbeg), forming a broader pastoral community. In 2019, the Diocese of Down and Connor initiated the "Pathways to the Future" renewal program under Bishop Alan McGuckian, which St. Patrick’s has embraced, fostering a vision of vibrant parish life through community engagement and modern outreach, including livestreamed Masses.
Special features
- Historical significance as the parish encompassing Downpatrick, reputed burial site of St. Patrick, marked by a nearby grave at Down Cathedral (Church of Ireland), though venerated by Catholics.
- Annual St. Patrick’s Day pilgrimage and festivities, drawing visitors to celebrate the saint’s legacy with Masses and processions.
- Modern outreach via livestreamed services, reflecting adaptation to contemporary needs, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Association with local schools, including St. Patrick’s Primary School, reinforcing its role in Catholic education.
Related parishes
- St. Colmcille’s Church – Part of the Downpatrick parish cluster, located nearby and sharing pastoral resources.
- St. Mary’s Church, Newcastle – Another prominent parish in the Diocese of Down and Connor, linked through diocesan initiatives like "Pathways to the Future."