Editing Downpatrick

{{Short description|Town in County Down, Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Downpatrick
| irish_name = Dún Pádraig<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=12718 |title=Placenamesni.org |publisher=Place Names NI |access-date=28 March 2017 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027130655/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=12718 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| scots_name = Doonpetèrick<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/jordanscastleus.pdf |title=Jordan's Castle |publisher=Department of the Environment |access-date=2 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903154517/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/jordanscastleus.pdf |archive-date=3 September 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref> or Doonpetherick<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/stpatrickincodownus.pdf|title=St Patrick in Co. Down|publisher=Department of the Environment|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903154526/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/stpatrickincodownus.pdf|archive-date=3 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| local_name = 
| static_image_name = View west along English Street towards Downpatrick Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 2448646.jpg
| static_image_caption = [[Down Cathedral]]
| map_type= Northern Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|54.322|-5.703|display=inline,title}}
| irish_grid_reference = 
| population = 11,545
| population_ref = ([[United Kingdom Census 2021|2021 Census]])
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Newry, Mourne and Down]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Down]]
| constituency_westminster = [[South Down (UK Parliament constituency)|South Down]]
| constituency_ni_assembly = [[South Down (Assembly constituency)|South Down]]
| country = Northern Ireland
|historic_county=
|post_town = DOWNPATRICK
| postcode_area = BT
| postcode_district = BT30
| dial_code = 028
| website = 
}}
'''Downpatrick''' ({{Irish derived place name|Dún Pádraig|[[Saint Patrick|Patrick]]'s fort}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.logainm.ie/120017.aspx |title=Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann – Placenames Database of Ireland |publisher=logainm.ie |date=13 December 2010 |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020174223/http://www.logainm.ie/120017.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> is a town in [[County Down]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It is on the [[Lecale]] peninsula, about {{convert|21|mi|0|abbr=on}} south of [[Belfast]]. In the Middle Ages, it was the capital of the [[Dál Fiatach]], the main ruling dynasty of [[Ulaid]]. [[Down Cathedral|Its cathedral]] is said to be the burial place of [[Saint Patrick]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtourism.com/historic-sites-buildings-in-ireland/st-patrick-s-grave/1423|title=St. Patricks Grave {{!}} Historic Sites & Buildings {{!}} Attractions Ireland|website=www.irishtourism.com|access-date=2018-02-15|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103023715/http://www.irishtourism.com/historic-sites-buildings-in-ireland/st-patrick-s-grave/1423|url-status=live}}</ref> Today, it is the [[county town]] of Down and the joint headquarters of [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council]].
Downpatrick had a population of 11,545 according to the [[United Kingdom Census 2021|2021 Census]].<ref name="2021 pop"/>

==History==

===Pre-history===
An early [[Bronze Age]] site was excavated in the Meadowlands area of Downpatrick, revealing two [[Roundhouse (dwelling)|roundhouses]], one was four metres across and the other was over seven metres across.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Mallory, J.P.  |author2=McNeill, T.E.| year=1991 |title=The Archaeology of Ulster from Colonization to Plantation | publisher=Institute of Irish Studies, QUB | location=Belfast | page=95}}</ref> Archaeological excavations in the 1950s found what was thought to be a Bronze Age hillfort on Cathedral Hill, but further work in the 1980s revealed that this was a much later [[Rampart (fortification)|rampart]] surrounding an early Christian monastery.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Duffy |editor-first=Seán |title=Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopaedia |first=T. E. |last=McNeill |contribution=Downpatrick |pages=133|publisher=Routledge |year=2005}}</ref>

===Early history===
[[File:Mound of Down.jpg|thumb|The remains of the 'Mound of Down'.]]
[[File:St Patrick's Grave Downpatrick - older photo.jpg|thumb|right|Reputed grave of St Patrick]]
Downpatrick is one of Ireland's oldest towns. It takes its name from a ''dún'', a medieval royal fort, which stood on a [[drumlin]] overlooking the [[River Quoile]]. In the Middle Ages, the river was an estuary that would have surrounded the drumlin on most sides.<ref name="MacDonald">MacDonald, Philip (2012). [https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/communityarchaeology/PDFFileStore/Filetoupload,508691,en.pdf "Geophysical Survey and Excavation at the Mound of Down, County Down"]. [[Queen's University Belfast]]. pp.5–14, 33–35.</ref> It is believed that there was a [[ringfort]] on the site in the [[History of Ireland (400–800)|early Middle Ages]]. This may have been the site called ''Ráth Celtchair'' (later anglicized Rathkeltair), the 'fort of [[Celtchar]]', after a hero in the [[Ulster Cycle]] of [[Irish mythology]].<ref name="MacDonald"/>

A small [[Celtic Christianity|Christian]] [[monastic settlement]] was also built on the neighbouring drumlin to the south, now known as 'Cathedral Hill'.<ref name="MacDonald"/> Nearby [[Saul Monastery]] was associated with [[Saint Patrick]]. The saint is said to have been buried on Cathedral Hill in the 5th century, and his reputed grave is still a place of pilgrimage. Down Cathedral was later built on this spot.<ref name="MacDonald"/>

In the early 11th century, a much bigger fort with earthen ramparts was built on the northern drumlin, now known as the 'Mound of Down'.<ref name="MacDonald"/> This was the capital of the [[Dál Fiatach]], the main ruling dynasty of [[Ulaid]]h (Ulster), who held the title "Rí Uladh", "King of Ulster".<ref name="MacDonald"/> Deirdre Flanagan suggests that the older name ''Dún Lethglaise'' referred to Cathedral Hill, while ''Dún da Lethglas'' was the name of this new royal residence.<ref name="MacDonald"/>

The [[Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)|King of Norway]], [[Magnus Barefoot]], was killed in an ambush near Downpatrick in 1102. It is believed his grave is marked by a mound at Horse Island, southwest of Cathedral Hill.<ref>McCormick, Finbar. "[http://www.jstor.org/stable/41406683 The grave of Magnus Barelegs]". ''Ulster Journal of Archaeology'', vol. 68, 2009. pp. 102–109.</ref>

[[Saint Malachy]] became the [[Bishop of Down]] (''Dún da Lethglas'') in 1137. He administered the diocese from [[Bangor Abbey|Bangor]] and introduced a community of [[Augustinians]] (canons) to ''Dún da Lethglas'' dedicated to St John the Evangelist. Malachy and his successors repaired and enlarged Down Cathedral.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rankin |first1=Fred |title=Down Cathedral: The Church of Saint Patrick of Down |date=1997 |publisher=Ulster Historical Foundation |pages=20–21}}</ref>

In the late 12th century, the area was conquered by [[Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|Anglo-Normans]] led by [[John de Courcy]], becoming part of his [[Earldom of Ulster]]. In February 1177, a Norman army of 300 men and 20 knights marched north from Dublin and took the town by surprise. The King of Ulster and Dál Fiatach, [[Ruaidrí mac Duinn Sléibe]] (Rory MacDunleavy), tried to retake the town, but was forced to withdraw after a fierce battle.<ref>{{cite book |last=Martin |first=Francis Xavier |author-link=F. X. Martin |editor=Art Cosgrove |title=A New History of Ireland, Volume II: Medieval Ireland 1169–1534 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008 |chapter=Chapter 4: Overlord becomes feudal lord, 1172–85|page=115}}</ref> The Normans began building a [[Motte-and-bailey castle|motte]] (fortified mound) inside the older royal fort, but abandoned it when de Courcy made [[Carrickfergus]] his capital in 1178.<ref name="MacDonald"/>

In 1183, de Courcy brought in [[Benedictine]] monks from the abbey of [[St Werburgh]] in [[Chester]] (today [[Chester Cathedral]]), England. He built a friary for them at Downpatrick; this building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1245.<ref>{{cite book |author1=DeBreffny, D  |author2=Mott, G| year=1976 |title=The Churches and Abbeys of Ireland | publisher=Thames & Hudson | location=London | pages=60–61}}</ref> He also re-dedicated the cathedral to Saint Patrick, giving it the name ''Ecclesia S. Patricii Duni'' in Latin.<ref name="MacDonald"/> It is claimed that de Courcy miraculously found the bones of St Patrick, St [[Brigid of Kildare|Brigid]] and St [[Colmcille]] at Downpatrick. In the presence of the Papal Legate, Vivian, the relics were reburied inside the cathedral on 9 June 1196. This story of their discovery is thought to have been crafted by de Courcy for political reasons.<ref>Rankin, pp.33–34</ref> In the Anglo-Norman and later medieval era the town's name in Latin and English documentation is variously 'Dunum', 'Dun' or 'Down'. The oldest surviving record of the name 'Downpatrick' is in the [[Bodley Survey]] of the early 1600s.<ref name="MacDonald"/>

In 1260 [[Brian O'Neill (High-King of Ireland)|Brian O'Neill]], King of [[Tír Eoghain]] (Tyrone) and claimed [[High King of Ireland]], marched to Downpatrick, which was then part of the Anglo-Norman earldom of Ulster. Allied with a Connacht force under Hugh O'Conor, he fought the Anglo-Normans in the [[Battle of Down]]. O'Neill was killed and the Irish were defeated.<ref>Rankin, p.69</ref> The death of O'Neill and defeat of the Irish was lamented in a poem by the [[Cenél nEógain]] bard [[Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe]] (1210–1272).

The earldom collapsed in the 1300s, but the English retained a foothold in Lecale. In 1375, Niall O'Neill of Tyrone defeated the English at Dundalethglas.<ref>Rankin, p.70</ref>

===Reformation and aftermath===
[[File:A view of the old Abbey of Downpatrick, before it was rebuilt, anno 1790 (continued) (IA jstor-20608798) (page 3 crop).jpg|thumb|A view of the old Abbey of Downpatrick, before it was rebuilt, anno 1790]]
Under orders from [[Henry VIII|King Henry VIII of England]], Downpatrick's [[Dissolution of the monasteries|monastic community was dissolved]] by the English around 1540, and the Cathedral fell into ruins. In 1600, the cathedral was allegedly burnt by English forces led by [[Edward Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell|Edward Cromwell]].<ref>Rankin, pp.79–84</ref> A painting from 1788 shows the abbey ruins and its [[Irish round tower|round tower]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Blair |first1=Philip |title=J W Hanna'a Lecture and Exhibition of 1851 |journal=Lecale Review |date=2022 |issue=20}}</ref>

The [[Archbishop of Armagh]], composer of [[Irish bardic poetry]] and [[Christian poetry]] in the [[Classical Gaelic]] [[literary language]], and [[Franciscan]] [[Counter-Reformation]] theologian [[Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil]] was born outside Downpatrick in 1571. On 21 January 1575, Franciscans John Lochran, Donagh O'Rorke, and Edmund Fitzsimon were hanged by Protestants at Downpatrick.

After his 25 April 1681 assassination by his foster brother, Art McCall O'Hanlon near [[Hilltown, County Down]], [[rapparee]] leader Count [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]]'s [[beheading|severed head]] was [[head on a spike|displayed spiked]] upon Downpatrick Gaol. The Count's body was buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery at [[Ballynabeck]], on the road between [[Tandragee]] and [[Scarva]].<ref> Stephen Dunford (2000), ''The Irish Highwaymen'', Merlin Publishing. Pages 103–104.</ref>

Cathedral Hill was the subject of an archaeological investigation in Series 5 of the Channel 4 ''[[Time Team]]'' programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/on-demand/24053-007|title=Time Team – on Demand – All 4|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507083205/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/on-demand/24053-007|url-status=live}}</ref>

===18th century===
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. The landscape limited the growth of the town. The early-18th-century street plan continued largely unchanged until 1838 when Church Street was built, followed by Market Street in 1846.

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 [[slaughterhouse#History|shambles]] in 1719 and paving of the streets, which started in 1727. In 1717 he built a quay and grain store at Quoile Quay, contributing to the economic growth of the town. The second Edward Southwell was responsible for building Southwell School in 1733.

Down County Infirmary was established in a house in Saul Street in October 1767, where it operated for seven years. It was moved to Barrack Lane (now Fountain Street) where the former Horse Barracks was bought in 1774 for £150 by [[Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor]] for use as the [[wikt:infirmary|Infirmary]]. It was used until the new Infirmary (later known as the [[Downe Hospital]]) was opened in 1834.

In June 1778, [[John Wesley]], the founder of [[Methodism]], preached in the new preaching house in Downpatrick and in The Grove beside the ruins of Down Cathedral, which he called a "noble ruin".

[[File:Countynstables! (8241200776).jpg|thumb|Downpatrick in the late 19th century]]

===19th century===
On 21 October 1803, a co-founder and leader of the [[United Irishmen]], [[Thomas Russell (rebel)|Thomas Russell]], was hanged outside Downpatrick Gaol for his part in trying to raise local United Irishmen and [[Defenders (Ireland)|Defenders]] in support of [[Irish rebellion of 1803|Robert Emmet's rebellion]] in July of that year.  Russell is buried in the graveyard of the Anglican parish Church of Downpatrick, St Margaret's, in a grave paid for by his friend [[Mary Ann McCracken]], sister of leading Belfast United Irishman [[Henry Joy McCracken]] who had been hanged in 1798.

In his role as barrister, [[Daniel O'Connell]], "The Liberator", was called away from London to Downpatrick to attend the County Down Assizes, as counsel in a case heard on 1 April 1829.<ref>Selected reports from the Belfast Newsletter</ref> As the leading campaigner for [[Catholic Emancipation]], he had been in London for the parliamentary passage of the [[Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829]] which lifted the sacramental test bar to Catholics entering the British Parliament. On 2 April 1829, O'Connell attended a public dinner at Downpatrick in his honour, along with "upwards of eighty gentlemen, of different religious persuasions".

On St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1848, a crowd of 2,000–3,000 Catholics set off from Old Course Road intending to parade to the reputed grave of St Patrick on Cathedral Hill. They were attacked by Protestant [[Orange Order|Orangemen]] at the Irish Street shambles and a riot ensued.

[[File:St Patrick's Catholic Church, Downpatrick - geograph.org.uk - 2446907.jpg|thumb|St Patrick's Catholic Church]]

===The Troubles===
There were many gun attacks and bombings in Downpatrick during [[the Troubles]]. The deadliest incident was the [[Downpatrick landmine attack]] on 9 April 1990. The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) detonated a massive [[Improvised explosive device|improvised]] [[land mine]] under a [[British Army]] convoy on Ballydugan Road, just outside the town. Four soldiers of the [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] (UDR) were killed<ref>{{cite book |last1=McKittrick |first1=David |title=Lost Lives: The Stories of the Men, Women and Children who Died as a Result of the Northern Ireland Troubles |date=2001 |publisher=Random House |page=1195}}</ref>

==Places of interest==
[[File:The Down Arts Centre (geograph 2853261).jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Down Arts Centre]], located in the former Downpatrick Town Hall]]
[[File:Inch abbey near Downpatrick - geograph.org.uk - 740083.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Inch Abbey]]]]
[[File:Quoile Castle, geograph.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Quoile Castle, near Downpatrick]][[File:O&K No. 1, Downpatrick Station.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Steam locomotive]] [[Orenstein & Koppel|O&K]] [[CSÉT Shunting Locomotives|No. 1]] operating at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]]]]
*[[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>
*[[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&nbsp;km) south in the hamlet of [[Ballynoe, County Down|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 | page=88}}</ref>
*The [[Down Arts Centre]], located in the former Downpatrick Town Hall, is an events venue in the town.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/arts-council-of-northern-ireland-helps-launch-down-arts-centre|title=Arts Council of Northern Ireland helps launch Down Arts Centre|date=19 June 2012|newspaper=Arts Council Northern Ireland|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=18 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318203036/http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/arts-council-of-northern-ireland-helps-launch-down-arts-centre|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Down County Museum is located on the Mall in English Street in Downpatrick and was formerly the old Down County Gaol.  It was built between 1789 and 1796 at the behest of the County Grand Jury of Down under the supervision of Marquess of Downshire, the Earl of Hillsborough and the Hon Edward Ward, and was designed by architect Charles Lilly. The building served for a time as a barracks for the South Down Militia. It is famously where, at its gates, United Irishman [[Thomas Russell (rebel)|Thomas Russell]] was hanged in 1803.
*[[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]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Magee |first1=Joan |title=Horse racing at the Flying Horse |journal=Lecale Review |date=2019 |volume=17 |page=36}}</ref>
*[[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]] is Ireland's only full-sized heritage railway. Built on the [[Belfast and County Down Railway|BCDR]]'s former line to Belfast, it links the town with [[Inch Abbey]] and various other places of historical interest. The railway houses Ireland's largest collection of [[Victorian Era|Victorian]] carriages, eight [[Diesel Locomotives of Ireland|diesel locomotives]], three [[Steam Locomotives of Ireland#preserved|steam engines]], and several [[Multiple Unit|railcars]].
*[[Inch Abbey]], a large, ruined [[Cistercian]] monastic site featuring early [[Gothic architecture]], is 0.75 miles (1.2&nbsp;km) north-west of Downpatrick on the north bank of the [[River Quoile]] off the main road to Belfast, at grid ref: J477455.
*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.
*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.
*[[File:St Patricks Centre.tif|alt=St Patricks Center Downpatrick|thumb|St Patricks Centre Downpatrick with the Tara Brooch Statue and Down Cathedral]]St. Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland. As a nonprofit educational organisation offers of reconciliation in Northern Ireland, thousands of children each year and the ongoing cross-border and international youth programs.
*[[Quoile Castle]] is a ruined 16th-century [[tower house]], just off the main road from Downpatrick to [[Strangford]], at grid ref: J4963 4701.
*[[Struell Wells]] is a set of four [[holy well]]s 1.5 miles (2.4&nbsp;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 |author1=Donnelly, JP  |author2=Donnelly, MM| year=1980 |title=Downpatrick and Lecale. A Short Historical Guide | pages=42–43}}</ref>
*The Eclipse cinema, now an [[Omniplex Cinemas|Omniplex]], opened in 2009.<ref name="Rooney">{{cite journal |last1=Rooney |first1=Colm |title=Cinema in Lecale, 1917–2023 |journal=Lecale Review |date=2023 |issue=21}}</ref> The first cinema in Downpatrick was the Pavilion on St Patrick's Avenue in 1917,<ref name="Rooney"/> followed by the Grand on Market St in 1935.<ref name="Rooney"/>
*[[Lough Money]] is about three miles from the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wildswim.com/lough-money|title=Lough Money – Wild Swim Map|work= Outdoor Swimming Society}}</ref> A [[rainbow trout]] fishery is maintained there for anglers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/angling-lough-money|title=Angling at Lough Money|work=nidirect|date=8 December 2015|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701224218/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/angling-lough-money|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Saul Church is approx. 3 miles from the town, built in 1932 to commemorate St Patrick's first church in Ireland.

The cathedral features in the US sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".

==St Patrick's Day Parade==
[[Saint Patrick's Day|St Patrick's Day]] is celebrated in Downpatrick through an annual cross-community parade which goes through the centre of the town. This is the one day of the year that Downpatrick closes its main streets so that celebrations can begin. The celebrations occurs every year on 17 March. [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council|Newry, Mourne and Down District council]] in recent years have lengthened the celebrations from one day to the entire week full of history exhibitions and family events.

Downpatrick's St Patrick's Day celebrations are also popular for tourists especially because of the town's history of [[Saint Patrick|St Patrick]] and because of his burial site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discovernorthernireland.com/Down-Cathedral-and-Saint-Patrick-s-Grave-Downpatrick-P3000/|title=Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Grave|date=2018|website=Discover Northern Ireland|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025013/https://discovernorthernireland.com/Down-Cathedral-and-Saint-Patrick-s-Grave-Downpatrick-P3000/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Demography==
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Downpatrick residents (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000276 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000276 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000276 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|50.7}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|grey|33.6}}
{{bar percent|British|Blue|18.4}}
}}
===2021 Census===
On Census day (21 March 2021) there were 11,545 people living in Downpatrick.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000276 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> Of these: 
* 83.6% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic faith and 10.4% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' denominations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000276 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>

===2011 Census===
On Census day (27 March 2011) there were 10,822 people living in Downpatrick (4,179 households), accounting for 0.60% of the NI total,<ref name=Census2011>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Downpatrick@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Downpatrick@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Downpatrick Settlement | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019 | archive-date = 29 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200629201342/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Downpatrick%40Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name%3A%20%40Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name%3A%20%20Downpatrick%4023%3F | url-status = live }}</ref> and representing an increase of 4.9% on the Census 2001 population of 10,316.<ref name=Census2001>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) – Table view | page = 3 | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 10 August 2019 | archive-date = 23 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152256/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/Home.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> Of these:
* 22.35% were aged under 16 years and 13.28% were aged 65 and over.
* 51.55% of the usually resident population were female and 48.45% were male.
* 85.51% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic faith and 10.78% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' denominations.
* 42.95% had an Irish national identity, 34.77% had a Northern Irish national identity and 26.58% indicated that they had a British national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
* 34 years was the average (median) age of the population.
* 13.10% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge) and 3.12% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

==Transport==
[[File:Downpatrick Station, February 2010 (01).JPG|thumb|The current [[Downpatrick railway station|Downpatrick Railway Station]]]]
*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]]. While there are no rail services in Downpatrick, [[Ulsterbus]] provides bus services to and from the Downpatrick Bus Station.
*[[Downpatrick railway station]] on the [[Belfast and County Down Railway]], opened on 23 March 1859 and [[Downpatrick Loop Platform railway station|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 | access-date=12 October 2007 | archive-date=26 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> The current station, owned by the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]], was opened in the early 1990s and serves several sites of historical interest near the town, having originally been a gas manager's office situated elsewhere in Downpatrick.
*[[Translink (Northern Ireland)|Translink]] also holds the aforementioned bus station on the Ballydugan Road providing bus services to Belfast, [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]] and Newry alongside services to local towns and townlands.

==Education==

===Primary schools===
*Downpatrick Primary School – "controlled" Primary School.
*Bunscoil Naomh Pádraig (''St Patrick's Primary School'') – Irish Speaking Primary School.
*St Brigid's Primary School – Roman Catholic Primary School.
*St Colmcille's Primary School – Roman Catholic Primary School.
*Our Lady & St Patrick Primary School – Roman Catholic Primary School. (St Patrick's Boys' Primary School & Convent of Mercy Primary School merged to form this school which is situated at the old Convent of Mercy building, with a new school building in the planning stages.)
[[File:Irish Street, Downpatrick, August 2009.JPG|200px|thumb|Irish Street, Downpatrick.]]

===Post-primary schools===
*[[Down High School]] – (known locally as "The Green High") "Controlled" coeducational [[Grammar School]]
*Blackwater Integrated College – Integrated High School <ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.blackwateric.org/| title = Home – Blackwater Integrated College| access-date = 4 August 2019| archive-date = 4 August 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190804095724/http://www.blackwateric.org/| url-status = dead}}</ref>
*Lecale Trinity Grammar – mixed sex grammar school (St Mary’s high school, St Patrick’s grammar school and De La Salle high school merged to form Lecale Trinity Grammar

===Further and higher education===
*[[South Eastern Regional College]] ( Downpatrick Campus ) – the local campus of the regional further and higher education college

==People==
See ''[[:Category:People from Downpatrick]]''
* [[Trevor Carson]], Northern Ireland international football team goalkeeper.
* [[Maurice Hayes]], the former [[Northern Ireland Ombudsman]], Chairman of the Ireland Funds and Taoiseach-appointed Senator in [[Seanad Éireann]].
* [[Conor Hazard]], Northern Ireland international goalkeeper who currently plays for [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]].
* [[E. Neville Isdell]], former chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
* [[William Johnston (Irish politician)|William Johnston]] of Ballykilbeg (1829–1902), MP for Belfast, [[Orange Order|Orangeman]], [[Tenant-right|tenant righter]] and [[Women's suffrage|women's suffragist.]] 
* [[Patrick Kielty]], attended (St. Patrick's Grammar) school in Downpatrick.
* [[Miles Kington]], journalist, musician and broadcaster born in Downpatrick.
* [[George Lowden]], custom guitar maker, based in Downpatrick
* [[Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil]] (1571–1629), poet, [[Franciscan]] theologian and [[Archbishop of Armagh]]
* [[Colin McGrath]], South Down [[Social Democratic and Labour Party|SDLP]] MLA, Chairman and party Chief Whip.
* [[Lynn C. Doyle]], pseudonym of Leslie Alexander Montgomery (1873–1961), comic writer and playwright born in Downpatrick.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Montgomery, Leslie Alexander |url=https://doi.org/10.3318/dib.005905.v1 |website=[[Dictionary of Irish Biography]] |publisher=Royal Irish Academy |doi=10.3318/dib.005905.v1 |access-date=14 February 2024|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
* [[Colin Murphy (comedian)|Colin Murphy]], comedian.
* [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|The Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]], a former [[Social Democratic and Labour Party|SDLP]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] and a former minister in the [[Northern Ireland Executive]].
* [[Thomas Russell (rebel)|Thomas Russell]] (1767–1803) [[Society of United Irishmen|United Irishman]] executed at Down County Gaol following [[Robert Emmet]]'s [[Irish rebellion of 1803|Rebellion in 1803]]. He is honoured in the name of the local GAA.
* [[Robert Scott (VC recipient)|Robert Scott]] (1874–1961) [[Second Boer War]] [[Victoria Cross]] recipient
* [[Francis Sheehy-Skeffington]], writer and radical activist, was raised in Downpatrick.<ref> Maume, Patrick ‘Francis Sheehy-Skeffington 1878–1916’ in ''1916 Portraits and Lives'' (Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 2015), p. 302.</ref>

* [[Tim Wheeler]], lead singer of rock band [[Ash (band)|Ash]].

== Sport and clubs ==

=== Gaelic games ===
Downpatrick is home to [[Russell Gaelic Union, Downpatrick]]. 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. Downpatrick has had mixed fortunes over the years but has still managed to produce excellent county footballers such as [[Ray McConville]], Conor Deegan, and Barry Breen, all of whom won All-Irelands with Down. The club was named in honour of [[Society of United Irishmen|United Irishman]], [[Thomas Russell (rebel)|Thomas Russell]] .

Downpatrick has had a successful [[Gaelic handball|handball]] club since the 1980s when local teacher Martin Murphy established a team. After a number of years it was incorporated into the RGU family.

=== Cricket ===
[[Downpatrick Cricket Club]] has won the [[Irish Senior Cup (cricket)|Irish Senior Cup]] on two occasions, the [[NCU Senior League]] on six occasions and the [[NCU Challenge Cup]] on six occasions. The club's [[Strangford Road]] ground has hosted [[Ireland cricket team|Ireland]] international matches, most recently against [[Australia cricket team|Australia "A"]] and [[South Africa cricket team|South Africa]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ireland Statistics |url=http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CSTATZ/irelandall/irehome.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001190259/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CSTATZ/irelandall/irehome.htm |archive-date=1 October 2012 |access-date=2 October 2012 |publisher=Cricketeurope4.net}}</ref>

===Rugby union===
The community of Downpatrick also features two [[Rugby union|Rugby Clubs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.activdownpatrick.com/community/Content/DownpatrickSportsClubs-644.html |title=Downpatrick Sports clubs¦ Downpatrick Clubs ¦ Clubs in Downpatrick |publisher=Activdownpatrick.com |access-date=2 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910103249/http://www.activdownpatrick.com/community/Content/DownpatrickSportsClubs-644.html |archive-date=10 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> These clubs are Ballynahinch Rugby Football<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinchrfc.com |title=Ballynahinch Rugby Football Club |publisher=www.hinchrfc.com |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805075313/http://hinchrfc.com/ |archive-date=5 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Dromore Rugby Football.

===Association football===
Downpatrick's most prominent team is [[Celtic Bhoys]] which competes in the [[Newcastle Premier district League]] The Bhoys are current Premier Division and Division 2 Champions for Season 2018/2019. There are other clubs associated with the town, and others from surrounding areas. These include Ballynagross F.C<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballynagrossfc.com/ |title=Ballynagross Football Club |publisher=Ballynagrossfc.com |date=3 March 2012 |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-date=30 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730211533/http://www.ballynagrossfc.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Rossglass County F.C<ref>{{cite web |author=Rossglass County |url=http://www.rossglasscounty.net |title=Home |publisher=Rossglasscounty.net |access-date=2 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114220810/http://www.rossglasscounty.net/ |archive-date=14 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

There are also many youth teams such as the Celtic Bhoys, Ballynagross, Rossglass and Coney Island  who along with many other teams in the area, participate in the Downpatrick Youth
League. Most famous football side out of Downpatrick were [[Downpatrick Recreation F.C.|Downpatrick Rec.]] who won the Steel & Sons Cup in 1978. Downpatrick is home to one of the biggest Northern Irish branches of the [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] Supporters' Club, the ''Downpatrick Manchester United Supporters' Club'', which was founded in 1993.

===Snooker and billiards===
Downpatrick is also the home of the Downpatrick & District Snooker & Billiard League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.downpatrickdistrict-snookerbilliards.com |title=Downpatrickdistrict-Snookerbilliards.com |publisher=Downpatrickdistrict-Snookerbilliards.com |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920025530/http://www.downpatrickdistrict-snookerbilliards.com/ |archive-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many of the local towns compete in the leagues. Teams from Downpatrick, [[Newcastle, County Down|Newcastle]], [[Ballynahinch, County Down|Ballynahinch]], [[Crossgar]], [[Drumaness]], [[Ballykinler]], [[Castlewellan]], [[Newtownards]] and Ballyalton play in the local district.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
The league currently has the [[Northern Ireland Billiards and Snooker Association]] Billiard Champion Darren Dornan playing in the league.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Bowls===
Downpatrick Bowling Club is situated on the Old Belfast road, Downpatrick. Having been established since the early 1950s it is only over the last several years that they have finally enjoyed a sustained period of success. The club won the Irish Bowling Association Junior Cup for the first time in their history in 2006. The following year they once again reached the final only to be beaten by Cookstown in a close encounter. However the club once again regained the Irish Cup in 2011, with a resounding victory against Kilrea. In 2011 Downpatrick also won the PGL Midweek Division 2 title.

===Other sports===
Downpatrick Golf Club<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.downpatrickgolfclub.org.uk/ |title=Welcome to |publisher=Downpatrick Golf Club |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403081952/http://www.downpatrickgolfclub.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> has its own club grounds. The town also has its own tennis club, Downpatrick Tennis Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.downpatricktennisclub.co.uk/ |title=Downpatrick Tennis Club |publisher=Downpatrick Tennis Club |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301092331/http://www.downpatricktennisclub.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Downpatrick has several other clubs that use the facilities of the Down Leisure Centre (run by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council) such as the Lecale Amateur Swimming Club, the Downpatrick School of Lifesaving and the East Down Athletics Club.
Downpatrick Golf Club is now known as St Patrick's Golf Club.

==Annalistic references==
See [[Annals of Inisfallen]]

* ''AI1026.5 Mael Petair Ua hAilecáin, lector of Dún dá Lethglas, rested in Christ.''

==See also==
* [[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]
* [[Downpatrick (Parliament of Ireland constituency)]]
* [[Dunum (Ireland)|Dunum]]
* [[Brian Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick]]
* [[Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Downpatrick}}

{{Wikivoyage|Downpatrick}}

{{NorthernIrishTowns}}
{{County Down}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Downpatrick| ]]
[[Category:County towns in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Towns with cathedrals in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Civil parish of Down]]
[[Category:Towns in County Down]]