St Patrick's Centre & Burial Site + Hillsborough Castle & Gardens

A historic monument that doubled as a location for Game of Thrones.
The ruins of the ancient Cistercian Abbey can be reached with an easy five minute stroll from our Inch Abbey station. You can explore the ruins, take in the views, and in the summer it’s a lovely spot for a picnic.
It was also used as a location for Game of Thrones! See where Robb Stark’s camp was located in season one – it’s where he was proclaimed the King of the North.

On certain dates in the summer, a living history monk will be on-site to provide guided tours of the Abbey.

Visit the statue of St Patrick at the top of Slieve Patrick.
Construction began of this statue in 1932, the 1500th anniversary of St. Patrick's landing at the Slaney. From the top of the Statue there are excellent views across the surrounding countryside and Strangford Lough. Parking is provided at the entrance; there are no footpaths so sensible shoes are advisable.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded by Saint Patrick shortly after his arrival in AD 432; he landed via the nearby River Slaney and was granted a barn (Old Irish saball) by the local chieftain Dichu. He then placed it under the protection of Dunnius (Mo Duin).

It is the traditional site of death of Saint Patrick, who died at Saul on 17 March 465.

Ireland's most complete medieval wells, blessed by Saint Patrick
Struell Wells were visited by pilgrims from all over Europe. There are a variety of buildings on site. The Eye Well is located in the centre. The Drinking Well is nearest the church. The womens bath house is medieval and the mens bath house later.
Legend says that the wells sprung when Saint Patrick was visiting MacDhu, the Ardglass chieftain. He was so convinced by Patrick's argument that he allowed him to pierce his foot and turn the blood to water. Struell is from the Irish tSruth bhFuile - the stream of blood!

The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s Patron Saint. The History of Ireland starts here in Patrick’s words, which guide you through our amazing multimedia exhibition.
Visit the grave of St Patrick.
St. Brigid and St. Columcille also lie buried with St. Patrick, making the site especially revered as the final resting place of a trinity of saints important in Irish history and culture.

Outside Down Cathedral on the highest part of Cathedral Hill lies the grave of Saint Patrick, the apostle of Ireland. By the early medieval period Patrick’s grave had become an important site for the developing church and an important monastery had grown around it. At this time the tradition of the hill being the burial place of saints Brigid and Columcille had been added to the legend of Patrick, giving rise to the well-known couplet:
“In Down, three saints one grave do fill,
Patrick, Brigid and Columcille.”

Home to the renowned Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle is at the foot of Slieve Donard (850m elevation), the highest peak in the beautiful Mourne Mountains.

Discover Northern Ireland’s only royal residence, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
Highlights of a visit to the gardens include ornamental lawns, meandering waterways, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens.