Ep. 29 – In the Footsteps of Patrick | Engaging Ireland Podcast

Hill of Slane

In this episode, we follow in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, paying a visit to a few of the key sights connected with Ireland’s patron saint. Below you will find links to a variety of resources providing information about the sites included in this show.

Info about Slemish Mountain from Discover Northern Ireland:

www.discovernorthernireland.com/Slemish-Mountain-Blaaymena-P1727

To get to Slemish: take the A42 Carnlaugh road from Ballymena towards Carnlaugh/Glenarm on the Antrim Coast (or vice versa). About 7 miles outside Ballymena and to the right of the road is the little village of Buckna. Just outside it is Carnstroan Lane which will take you to the car park at the foot of Mountain.

Saints and Stones: Saul Church, County Down

http://www.saintsandstones.net/saints-saulchurch-journey.htm

To get to Saul Church: From Downpatrick, follow the A25 to Strangford. Turn right onto Mearne Road. At the crossroads, turn right following the signpost for the church.

Hill of Slane:

http://www.meath.ie/Tourism/Heritage/HeritageSites/HillofSlane/

Croagh Patrick, County Mayo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croagh_Patrick

Visitor’s Centre for Croagh Patrick

http://www.croagh-patrick.com/

Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from Westport on the R335 road. The Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre, Teach na Miasa, is situated in Murrisk on the Pilgrim’s path at the base of Croagh Patrick mountain and opposite the National Famine Monument.

Croagh Patrick is situated near the town of Westport in County Mayo, Ireland. It is approximately 92 km from Galway City and 230 km from Dublin City. The main pilgrimage route originates in the village of Murrisk, 8km outside Westport. Westport is served by both bus and train from Dublin and Galway. The Croagh Patrick Information Centre is a further 8 km west of the town of Westport.

Normally, it takes about two hours for the average person to reach the summit, and one and a half hours to descend. What equipment is necessary for the climb? It is advisable to take sturdy footwear, rainwear and some drinking water. Climbing sticks are for sale at the Centre.

The Centre provides the following facilities: restaurant, information services, guided tours of the mountain, packed lunches, secure lockers, craft shop, shower facilities (for a nominal fee).

What are the Centre’s business hours? Spring Season (April and May) 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. High Season (June through August) 10.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Shoulder Season (September and October) 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Low Season (November through March) Limited opening hours. Please e-mail info@croagh-patrick.com for details. If you’re interested in possibly joining a group pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, call on this number for more information: +353 (0) 98 28871.

Discover Ireland website:

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=fi_1660

Directions: Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from Westport on the R335 road. The Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre, Teach na Miasa, is situated in Murrisk on the Pilgrim’s path at the base of Croagh Patrick mountain and opposite the National Famine Monument.

Note: Croagh Patrick is a high mountain and is a difficult climb, so those climbing it should be prepared. It is advisable to wear solid footwear and bring good clothing, a stick and mobile phone. It can get very cold on top of the mountain and weather conditions can change during the course of the climb.

Pilgrimages: For group pilgrimage enquiries call: +353 (0) 98 28871

Opening Details: Opening Details Public access to the mountain. Visitor Centre open daily from St Patrick’s Day through to October.

Jim Burns’ account of his amazing, but harrowing climb on Croagh Patrick.

http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/WestPort/burns.htm

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, County Armagh info came from here:

http://www.stpatricks-cathedral.org/visitor-guide/

April – October: 9.00am – 5.00pm

November – March: 9.00am – 4.00pm

Group tours must be pre-arranged with the Cathedral Steward.

As the Cathedral receives no state funding visitors are invited to make a small donation to assist with the preservation of this historic building. The suggested amount is £3 for adults or £2 concession.

Sunday Services

10.00am Holy Communion – (Said – No sermon or hymns) Traditional Form except 2nd Sunday

11.00am Sung Eucharist – Choral Matins 2nd Sunday, Contemporary Form

3.15pm Choral Evensong – Sung Eucharist 2nd Sunday, Traditional Form

Weekday Services (Monday – Saturday)

9.30am Said Matins

12.30pm Celtic Eucharist – 1st Wednesday of each month

St. Tassach’s Church, Raholp, Co. Down

http://www.saintsandstones.net/saints-tassach-journey.htm

Down Cathedral

http://www.downcathedral.org/

+44 (0) 28 4461 4922
+44 (0) 28 4461 4456
info@downcathedral.org
www.downcathedral.org

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cathedral

From Visit Downpatrick website”

http://www.visitdownpatrick.com/

Opening Hours:-
Monday – Saturday – 9.30am to 4.30pm
Sunday – 2.pm to 5.00pm

Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick

http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/

+44 (0)28 4461 9000

+44 (0)28 4461 9111

Opening Hours:

January – December

Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday Closed
St. Patrick’s Day 9am – 7pm

July – August

Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday 1pm – 5pm

The Centre is located on the Market Street, in Downpatrick’s town centre.

Travel by Bus and Rail from Belfast:

The local Ulsterbus service regularly goes twice an hour from Belfast to Downpatrick. The Europa Bus Centre is located in Glengal Street beside the Opera House and behind the Europa Hotel. The journey takes just over an hour and the Centre is a 2 minute walk from Downpatrick Bus Station. See the Ulsterbus timetable for more details about your specific journey.

Travel by Bus and Rail from Dublin to Downpatrick:

Regular services run from Dublin Connolly Station the Dublin Busaras bus station and Dublin Airport. A connection can be made in Newry or a rail and bus connection through Belfast. The Centre is a 2 minute walk from Downpatrick Bus Station.

Travelling by Road from Dublin:

Take the M1 North to Dundalk, the N1 to Newry, enter the town and take the A25 to Downpatrick through Hilltown and Castlewellan.

Travelling by Road from Belfast:

Take the A24 out of Belfast heading for Newcastle and the A7 to Downpatrick through Carryduff, Saintfield and Crossgar.

Adults £ 4.95

Children £ 2.55

Concession £ 3.35

Family £11.75
(2 Adults & 2 Children)

Adult Groups £ 3.30
(25 or more)

Children’s Groups £ 2.25
(25 or more)

Senior Citizen Groups £ 2.70

Education Group £ 3.50