Downpatrick

Downpatrick is a small market town (population around 10,000) and the county town of County Down. It's less than an hour from Belfast, some 33km (21 miles) away, and therefore something of a commuter town as well as a local centre. It hosts a major St Patrick's Day parade on 17 March every year.

By car

From Belfast, take the A24 (Ormeau-Saintfield Road) and follow the signs for Newcastle/Downpatrick. At the Carryduff roundabout, take the A7 for Downpatrick. You will pass through the villages of Saintfield and Crossgar.
From Dublin, on the Belfast road, follow the signs for Newcastle or Castlewellan. From either of these towns then follow the signs for Clough or Downpatrick (the A25). At Clough roundabout take the A25 Downpatrick road.

By bus

Regular bus services (twice an hour) from Belfast by Ulsterbus. There are also regular services to surrounding towns such as Ardglass and Newcastle. The bus station is 2 minutes walk from the town centre.

The town is small enough to walk around easily.

There are a number of historic sites in and directly around Downpatrick.

In town

• Down Cathedral

  phone: +44 28 4461-4922
  Built on the site of a former Benedictine monastery, which it encompasses, the cathedral is a central landmark in town. Its graveyard is believed to be the final resting place of Saint Patrick. There's a small souvenir shop.

• Down County Museum

  phone: +44 28 4461-5218
  address: The Mall, English Street
  Interesting local museum sited close to Down Cathedral

• St Patrick's Centre

  phone: +44 28 4461-9000
  Everything you ever wanted to know about St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Includes a good cafe and gift shop. Just off the town centre with large carpark nearby.

Close to town

• Inch Abbey

  address: Inch Abbey Road
  Only ruins remain of this ancient abbey, which goes back to before AD 800. The remains that you'll see now are from the 12th century Cistercian Abbey on this location along the river Quoile.

• Ballynoe Stone CircleAn impressive stone circle just a few kilometres from town, consisting of some 50 upright stones, placed closely together.

• Struell Wells

  address: off the Struell Wells Road
  Struell Wells features a set of four holy wells, 2.4km east of Downpatrick. The wells date from before the time of Saint Patrick.

• Downpatrick & County Down Railway

  address: Market Street
  Operational heritage railway. Train rides on most weekends. Large carpark nearby.

• Down Arts Centre

  phone: +44 28 4461-0747
  address: Irish Street
  Music, drama and exhibitions.

Horse racing

• Downpatrick Racecourse

  phone: +44 28 4461-2054
  address: 24 Ballydugan Road, Downpatrick
  Regular race meetings

Golf

• St Patrick's Golf Club

  phone: +44 28 4461-5947
  address: 43 Saul Road, Downpatrick
  18-hole golf course, pro shop and restaurant

Cricket

• Downpatrick Cricket Club

  phone: +44 28 4461-2869
  Cricket at The Meadow

Mostly local shops, with a smattering of big brand names.
The Grove Shopping Centre, Market Street, is in the town centre and includes shops such as Poundland.
Downpatrick Retail Park, Ballydugan Road, is slightly out of the town centre and includes an Asda supermarket and petrol station, and a range of other shops including Halfords and Argos.

There are a small number of cafes in the town. Most of the pubs also serve food.

• The Daily Grind

  phone: +44 28 4461-7173
  address: 20 St Patrick's Avenue, Downpatrick
  Upstairs. Good for lunches and sandwiches

• Oakley Fayre Cafe and Deli

  phone: +44 28 4461-2500
  address: 52 Market Street, Downpatrick
  Bakery shop and cafe

• Golden Dragon

  phone: +44 28 4461-2596
  address: 21 Scotch Street, Downpatrick
  Great Chinese food, but takeaway only.

• The Emperor

  phone: +44 28 4461-7775
  address: 13 Church Street, Downpatrick
  Chinese restaurant, sit-in and takeaway

There are a large selection of pubs, at least one on every street in the town centre. Most of the pubs also serve food and some host music sessions.

• Mullans Bar

  phone: +44 28 4461-2227
  address: 48 Church Street, Downpatrick
  Popular pub, often with music (also known as Speedy's)

• Mirabelle Bar

  phone: +44 28 4461-2565
  address: 28 Market Street, Downpatrick
  Little pub squeezed between shops and a delicatessan

• Avenue Bar

  phone: +44 28 4461 7609
  address: 18 St Patrick's Avenue, Downpatrick

• Brendans Bar & Restaurant

  phone: +44 28 4461-5311
  address: 94 Market Street, Downpatrick
  Drink and reasonable food

There is only one small hotel in the town and a small number of bed and breakfast or guest houses.

• Denvir's Hotel

  phone: +44 28 4461-2012
  address: English Street
  Small hotel with six bedrooms. Established as a coaching inn in 1642. Also has a pub and restaurant.

Press

Locally published newspapers include:

• Down Recorder

  phone: +44 28 4461-3711
  address: Church Street
  Weekly newspaper established in 1836 and still going strong.

• Down News

  phone: +44 28 4461-5690
  address: Down Business Centre
  Local internet newspaper

• Newcastle