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’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk Visitor Emergency Information Contacts to , Northern Centres

Dial 999 in an emergency PILGRIM’S GUIDE Armagh Visitor requiring Police, Fire, Information Centre Ambulance, Coastguard T: 028 3752 1800 or Mountain Rescue Visitor In a non-emergency Information Centre case, dial 101 for the T: 028 4062 0232 Police Service Downpatrick Visitor of Information Centre T: 028 4461 2233

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre T: 028 4372 2222

Newry Visitor Information Centre T: 028 3031 3170

For further, up to date information on accommodation, what to see and do, attractions, activities and events while completing the Pilgrim Walk, please visit www.visitarmagh.com www.visitmournemountains.co.uk During the walk, we highly recommend that you follow the Leave No Trace principles. Visit www.leavenotraceireland.org for further information. Walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick’s Way 2 Saint Patrick’s Way: Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk The Pilgrim Walk

I bind unto myself today Saint Patrick’s life, The virtues of the starlit heaven, The glorious ’s life-giving ray, legacy and landscape The whiteness of the moon at even, The flashing of the lightning free, The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks, Saint Patrick, the missionary who brought The stable earth, the deep salt sea, Christianity to Ireland, was born around AD 400, Around the old eternal rocks. near the west coast of Roman Britain. Brought to Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

(The old lyrics of this traditional hymn have Saint Patrick’s Statue, Slieve Patrick Ireland as a slave around age 16, he tended animals, been attributed to Saint Patrick, and interpreted possibly on Mountain in County . as a call for protection on a symbolic journey.)

After escaping his captors and Cathedral in Downpatrick. Saint travelling to England and , Patrick’s link with Armagh is equally he studied to become a cleric, and significant. During his mission, Patrick eventually became Bishop. Patrick travelled around Ireland, converting returned to Ireland in AD 432 as a thousands of pagans and baptising missionary, believing he had been royal chieftains. At this time, Ireland called by the angel Victoricus. was ruled by tribal chiefs. The was one of the kingdoms in the north of the Saint Patrick brought his boat ashore country. Its capital was Emain , on Lough in County , or Navan, close to Armagh. at the mouth of the River Slaney near Downpatrick. He went on to establish Following negotiations with a local Ireland’s first Christian church in AD chieftain, Daire, Patrick was given a site 432, in the barn of a local chieftain on the hill at Armagh, where he built at Saul near Downpatrick. his church. The present-day Cathedral stands in this sacred His name and legacy are linked to spot. Patrick established Armagh as a many spiritual sites in , great seat of Christian learning, and and Patrick also died in this county. today it remains the ecclesiastical His final resting place is beside Down centre of Ireland.

1 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 2 Saint Patrick’s Way: Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk The Pilgrim Walk

Walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim’s Walk is a 132km (82 mile) trail connecting Armagh and Downpatrick as the two locations on the island of Ireland most closely related to Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick’s Way is suitable for leisure walking and pilgrimages. The Walk begins at the Navan Centre outside Armagh City, winding through beautiful landscapes and historic cities, to end at Saint Patrick’s final resting place at in Downpatrick.

Pick up a Pilgrim’s Passport at any of the Visitor Information Centres in the area. Stamp it at the 10 locations along the route, as a souvenir of your journey. When you show your completed Passport at The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, you receive a Certificate of Achievement.

The Pilgrim’s Walk takes between 6 -10 days, depending on your pace. While the Walk is signposted and divided into manageable sections, as detailed here, it is recommended that you accompany this information with maps, available from Visitor Information Centres.

Follow the signposts Navan Centre & Fort, Navan along the route.

Get your Pilgrim’s Passport stamped at all 10 locations along the route.

3 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 4 Saint Patrick’s Way: Saint Patrick’s Way: Approx The Pilgrim Walk Distance The Pilgrim Walk 132km 82 miles Country

Start Finish Armagh Navan Downpatrick Centre (A) (B) (G) & Fort (C) Newcastle (F) (E) (D)

Starting Location End Location Navan Centre & Fort Downpatrick

ROUTE SECTIONS Every day is different himself planted an apple The route covers varied tree at Ceangoba, an ancient (A) Navan to topography, from rolling settlement east of Armagh. Slieve from Armagh & City Tour hills to canal towpaths*. Every 5km/1 Day day offers different views The Pilgrim’s Walk leads you (B) Armagh to Scarva and terrain, with a through Armagh and Down’s 20km/1 Day combination of off- and rural, industrial and linen on-road trails. With plenty heritage, via canal towpath* (C) Scarva to Newry to do and see along the to the historic city of Newry. 20km/1 Day way, there are many cafés, (D) Newry to Rostrevor restaurants and picnic sites The Walk takes a scenic route 15km/1 Day for refuelling. through the stunning Mountains, through beautiful Tyrella Beach (E) Rostrevor to Newcastle Armagh, the spiritual centre forest to the seaside town 38km/2-3 Days of Ireland and its oldest of Newcastle. From here, the Walk travels through (F) Newcastle to Tyrella city is the starting point for 18km/1 Day exploring Saint Patrick’s life the untamed landscape and legacy. Fittingly called the of Murlough Bay Nature (G) Tyrella to Downpatrick ‘Orchard County’, Armagh has Reserve, by , 16km/1 Day 4,000 acres of apple orchards. Tyrella Beach and finally to Beautiful pink blossom adorns Downpatrick. the trees in May at the start of apple season. Saint Patrick

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Alan Graham Founder of the Saint Patrick’s Way

How did I get the idea of understand what Sir me to pursue the project. When towpaths, over hills and wild places, an Irish Pilgrimage route? Ernest Shackleton meant, I got home, I started to plan the reaching as far as the sea. and how hardship on a route of the Pilgrimage. I looked to “Well it goes back many years, long walk can develop your Armagh as the starting point. Saint Saint Patrick’s Way is a walk after I read the exploits of the personality and spirituality. Patrick had made Armagh the most of many colours, feelings and famous Irish explorer Sir Ernest important site for religion in Ireland memories to cherish. It is ideal Shackleton on his adventures in When I was walking the and as he is buried in Downpatrick for those who want to have the the Antarctic, in particular his epic Camino de Santiago I was lying it was obvious to me that this experience of nature and time to journey from Elephant Island to in my bunk wide awake due to would be the initial route for the themselves.” South Georgia, in which he saved the noise of my fellow pilgrims walk. I did investigate another his men from certain death. The and it came to me as if from that route from in County words that had a big impression voice that Shackleton heard, why Mayo to Armagh, but it would need on me, were how Shackleton not develop a pilgrimage route a lot of work to make it happen - described his inner feelings, for Saint Patrick? perhaps someday it will be a great that he was not alone, he knew coast to coast route across the ALAN GRAHAM there was another invisible force I thought Saint Patrick should be Island. What has been developed encouraging him to save his men. honoured with a pilgrim route in is a wonderful pilgrim route with As I have been on many Arctic his name. I asked many pilgrims many variations of countryside and Alpine exhibitions, I could en route and they encouraged from rural country lanes to canal

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Navan Centre 5km to Armagh (A) 1 Day

Your journey begins in County his church. The sacred site on the Armagh, at the Navan Centre hilltop is known as Sally Hill, from and the ancient city of Armagh. the Old Irish “Druim Saileach”,

now site of St Patrick’s Church of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh The area is important Ireland Cathedral. archaeologically, with 7,500 years of history discovered here. , last Earthworks, settlement sites came to Navan around 1005. In and sacred places have revealed Armagh, a plaque marks the area many buried remains. beside St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral where he was buried As Emain Macha, was in 1014. the ancient seat of Kings and earliest capital of . Armagh is the seat of the Primate of All Ireland for both the Roman Saint Patrick is thought to have and the Church of healed a local chieftain, Daire, who Ireland. The city is rich in elegant then gave him the site on the hill in architecture and fascinating Armagh to build his church. In Ard Christian heritage. The tree-lined Macha, or Armagh, Saint Patrick Mall, Georgian streets and established the city as a great heritage sites are all must see. seat of Christianity, as it remains today, and the city grew around

Download the free ‘Armagh Cathedrals’ app on Apple or Android and take a self-guided tour 11 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 12 Armagh Navan Centre & Fort City Centre Starting point of Street Map Saint Patrick’s Way

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1 Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh 2 Abbey St/Dawson St, Armagh 3 The Palace Demesne, Armagh Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk

Armagh to Scarva (B) 20km 1 Day

Moving out of Armagh City, you The Crozier Monument in Banbridge can see the range of mountains celebrates the town’s most famous ahead and you get a vivid sense citizen - Captain Crozier of the North of the challenges to come and the West Passage. Four polar bears look prize that lies beyond, when your up at Crozier, who faces north-west. pilgrimage is complete. Saint Patrick’s (COI) Cathedral, Armagh You’ll find great shopping in the From Armagh, the countryside is town centre, with many family-run scenic, passing Lowry Lakes then stores and high street favourites, Gosford Forest, then on towards as well as cafés, restaurants and Tandragee. The destination for this a Visitor Information Centre. section of the Walk is Scarva, with its award-winning floral displays Come and visit the F.E. McWilliam and canal paths, close to the town Gallery and Studio, located one mile of Banbridge. Scarva Cycle Hire from Banbridge Town Centre. The offers a range of bicycle hire options F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio for adults and children (seasonal is dedicated to the memory of opening). Banbridge-born sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Ireland’s The area offers brisk cycle routes most influential and successful artists. and historical trails which trace the history of . Explore the Frederick Edward McWilliam was charm and beauty of the local area born in Banbridge on the 30th April with 20 miles of leisurely traffic free, 1909. He died in London in 1992 family friendly trails. and the executors of his estate donated the sculptor’s studio and Banbridge is only a short distance its contents to the town of his birth. from Scarva, and worth the detour. The gallery and studio houses the Proximity to the helped collection in a superb exhibition develop the linen industry in the facility of gallery, garden and area, and the town still reconstructed studio. The Gallery flourishes. It’s a friendly place hosts four significant exhibitions per with excellent visitor facilities. year as well as seasonal displays in the Sculpture Garden. It also provides a Visitor Information Centre, Café and Craft Shop.

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4 Hollie Berrie at the Tearooms, Scarva

19 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 20 Saint Patrick’s Way: Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk The Pilgrim Walk PLEASE CHECK FOR OPENING HOURS & SEASONAL See & Do VARIATIONS See & Do Armagh and Surrounds Downpatrick and Surrounds

Saint Patrick’s Armagh County The Market Place Downpatrick - Saint Down County Saul Church Cathedral Museum Theatre Patrick’s Town Museum Downpatrick BT30 6PE [Roman Catholic] Armagh BT61 9BE Armagh BT61 7BW C/O Downpatrick Visitor Downpatrick BT30 6AH T: 028 4461 3101 Armagh BT61 7QX T: 028 3752 3070 T: 028 3752 1821 Information Centre T: 028 4461 5218 downcathedral.org T: 028 3752 2813 visitarmagh.com/ marketplacearmagh.com Downpatrick BT30 6LZ downcountymuseum.com /saul-church/ armaghparish.net armaghcountymuseum T: 028 4461 2233 Saint Patrick’s Cardinal Thomas The Saint Slieve Patrick Cathedral O’Fiaich Memorial Markethill Down Cathedral Patrick Centre Downpatrick BT30 7JG Markethill BT60 1UD & Saint Patrick’s [Church of Ireland] Library Downpatrick BT30 6LZ T: 028 4461 2525 T: 028 3755 1277 Armagh BT61 7EE Armagh BT61 7LY Grave T: 028 4461 9000 saulandballeeparish.com gosford.org.uk T: 028 3752 3142 T: 028 3752 2981 Downpatrick BT30 6AB saintpatrickcentre.com ofiaich.ie St Tassach’s stpatricks-cathedral.org The Palace Demesne T: 028 4461 4922 downcathedral.org Downpatrick & Church, Raholp The Navan Centre Irish and Local Public Park County Down Downpatrick BT30 7JR Armagh BT60 4LD Studies Library Armagh BT60 4EL Railway T: 028 9082 3207 T: 028 3752 9644 Armagh BT61 7EB T: 028 3752 9600 Downpatrick BT30 6LZ navan.com T: 028 3752 7851 visitarmagh.com/palace T: 028 4461 5779 librariesni.org.uk downrail.co.uk Downpatrick BT30 6RA The Mall Whilst Travelling on T: 028 9082 3207 and Planetarium Craftswirl & Visitor Armagh BT61 9AX the Pilgrim’s Walk take Information Centre some time out to enjoy St Patrick’s Roman Armagh BT61 9DB Catholic Church Ballynoe Stone T: 028 3752 3689 Armagh BT61 7BA Clare Glen the many attractions T: 028 3752 1800 Downpatrick BT30 6DN Circle armaghplanet.com Tandragee BT62 2ET which lie beyond the visitarmagh.com/ T: 028 4461 2084 Downpatrick BT30 6AR T: 028 3884 1110 trail itself. You can spend Armagh Robinson visitorinformation parishofdownpatrick.com T: 028 9082 3207 clareglen.co.uk Library time, after any stage, Milford House enjoying the beauty of Armagh BT61 7DY F.E. McWilliam Inch Abbey Collections this region. You will find Downpatrick BT30 9AT Inch Abbey, T: 028 3752 3142 Gallery & Studio armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk Armagh BT61 3DS a host of suggestions T: 028 9082 3207 Downpatrick T: 028 3752 5467 Banbridge BT32 3NB in visitarmagh.com and No 5 Vicars’ Hill milfordhouse.org.uk T: 028 4062 3322 visitmournemountains. Mound of Down Armagh BT61 7ED femcwilliam.com co.uk Downpatrick BT30 6AU T: 028 3752 3142 William McCrum T: 028 9082 3207 armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk Park - Home of Thomas Ferguson Penalty Kick Quoile Castle Royal Irish T: 028 3752 5467 Banbridge BT32 3QD and Quoile Pondage Fusiliers Museum milfordhouse.org.uk T: 028 4062 3491 Nature Reserve The Mall Armagh BT61 9DL fergusonsirishlinen.com T: 028 3752 2911 Tayto Factory Downpatrick BT30 7JB T: 028 4461 5220 royalirishfusiliersmuseum.com Tandragee BT62 2AB T: 028 3884 0249 21 Saint Patrick’s Way tayto.com Saint Patrick’s Way 22 Saint Patrick’s Way: Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk The Pilgrim Walk

Scarva to Newry (C) 20km 1 Day

This section of your journey is via There are also woods and a lough

Newry Canal towpath, on mainly nearby (Lough Shark or Acton Saint Patrick’s Church, Newry flat waterside paths. Lake), with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the birdlife and scenery. Newry Canal is the oldest summit- level canal in Britain and Ireland, Your towpath walk will bring you and opened in 1742, connecting to the historic city of Newry. While Portadown and Newry. It once had travelling on his mission in Ireland, 14 lock gates. The workers who Saint Patrick spent time in a place dug the canal were known as called Glen Righe, or Clanrye. ‘navvies’. These men lived in camps Patrick planted a yew tree here alongside the canal as they worked. above the Clanrye River that flows through Newry, as a symbol of his The canal was a vital link to faith. Today, Newry city’s coat of transport coal from arms shows Saint Patrick between in . yew trees.

Navigation stopped here in 1946. The city itself is vibrant, with bars, Around this area is much bogland, restaurants and plenty of shopping, making it an important habitat for as well as an interesting heritage wildlife. There were once only three trail and flourishing arts scene. ‘passes’ through the bog - Scarva (once called Scarvagh Pass), and Jerrettspass. These three villages still flourish today, and you will pass them en route.

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4 Hollie Berrie at the Tearooms, Scarva 5 Acton Visitor Centre

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6 Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry 7 Newry and Mourne Museum - Bagenal’s Castle, Newry

27 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 28 el St From From Chap ll Belfast i Warrenpoint/ Sandy St Sandy H H Kilkeel ey Heather Park igh tn Warrenpoint Road T Newry and re S ur et Court House v t re or Hill re Mourne Museum Free Co t St e Boa Parking t - Bagenal’s Castle Zone SUBWAY North Street t B SUBWAY 7 tree as tle S i /Cas n Street y Way treet Wa Abbe S Upper Water Street S y lk t t re

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S a L a Canal s ower n rg Ca u ’s et th To Win a e Wa e d ra rc P et Island l ter e M k tr Qu Newry a Quar S lace Business t P Wi tr S ay el S Town Hall M te ch r SugarAr ts Hill St r t e Park & w Mi l ree l v e t Marcus i i Centre John a R e Cathedral Newry N Square m Albert

t O’Ha ee Mi S Basin Canal r 6 Newry Market t l St r l ee l et Towpath na St t Squar gan re Ca M t t Line erc ’s S er thom hant r iv Fa e Mary R ’s e Qu S St rye Th t e t ay Mall Clan

Margare Bus Centre The Quays New rd Street r Shopping & Leisure Centre y Cana l ay wa Qu F ne r

Ed ra an Bri Merc utterc d Canal Court h c B ge a is Catherine Street nt’s Street Hotel Q uay St Buttercrane et

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Southern Fire Regional College Station Newry Campus Pilgrim’s Walk From South Armagh Free City Centre Newry, Mourne and Down Train Station District Council Offices Wifi

National Cycle Route Visitor Information Public Toilet Newry Leisure Centre Taxi Newry Canal Towpath Newry Public Library Post Office Bureau de Change Hospital Museum City Centre Bank/Bank Machine Hotel Shuttle Bus to Train Station Church Cinema Street Map

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Newry to Rostrevor (D) 15km 1 Day

From Newry you can see From the charming C.S Lewis

The Mourne Mountains and inspired Trail to its world- mountain views on either side. class mountain bike trails, in Rostrevor offers a host The Walk takes you through of attractions. Rostrevor is also stunning scenery as you approach home to the Holm Tree, Warrenpoint and then Rostrevor. Northern Ireland’s representative Looking across Carlingford Lough for the ‘European Tree of The Year’ you can see the Cooley Mountains, competition. while looking north-east, the Mourne Mountains tower before On this stretch of walk, you’ll get you. The walk towards Warrenpoint a great sense of the changing and Rostrevor leads you to landscape. Where a short time approach the Mourne Mountains ago you walked along an inland from the south. canal towpath, now you are in the midst of mountains, and The picturesque village of Rostrevor can see the coastline. contains many fine eighteenth and nineteenth century homes. Rostrevor has barely changed from its Edwardian heyday.

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6 Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry 7 Newry and Mourne Museum - Bagenal’s Castle, Newry 8 kilbroney Park, Rostrevor

33 Saint Patrick’s Way Saint Patrick’s Way 34 Saint Patrick is believed to have Saint Patrick’s Way: converted local hill folk in the Mourne The Pilgrim Walk Mountains. A rock in the small stream which marks the boundary of the Kingdom of Mourne is rumoured to have Saint Patrick’s handprint on it, at the spot where he knelt to drink the water. Another legend persists that Saint Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland at the foothill of . Rostrevor to Newcastle (E) 38km 2/3 Days

This section begins and ends with This is an Area of Outstanding a scenic town and forest trail, Natural Beauty. The town of with the drama of the Mourne Newcastle is on the Irish Mountains in between. Sea coast, at the base of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in You’ll follow parts of the Ulster Northern Ireland. Newcastle is the Way and Mourne Way, through town that inspired the foothills of the mountains on when he wrote the famous song spectacular terrain. As with all words “where the Mountains of sections of The Pilgrim’s Walk, Mourne sweep down to the sea”. Mountain biking in Rostrevor keep your camera close to hand! Walking in the Mournes is exciting The first part takes you through because of the varied terrain towards Spelga and wonderful views. You’ll come Dam. CS Lewis, author of The across forest, water, sea views, and Chronicles of Narnia, holidayed in majestic granite tors and peaks. the Mournes near Rostrevor, and the location inspired his fictional Links with Saint Patrick are many. landscapes. The summit of Slieve Donard has a hermit’s cell in the Great and The Pilgrim’s Walk then takes an oratory in the Lesser Cairn, both you around into constructed by Saint Donard. and following He was the son of a local pagan through into Newcastle. Slieve chieftain, and an important disciple Bearnagh is the fourth highest of Saint Patrick. mountain in the range, with two large granite tors at the summit Donard’s conversion to Christianity and a col lying between them. is said to have been prompted by Saint Patrick bringing Donard’s bull back to life after it had been butchered.

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8 kilbroney Park, Rostrevor

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HILLTOWN

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Newcastle to Tyrella (F) 18km 1 Day

The penultimate section of The The coastal path which follows, Pilgrim’s Walk follows part of runs along a disused railway line the Lecale Way, giving walkers that belonged to the Belfast and fantastic views of the County County Down Railway. Trains used Down coastline and rolling hills. to pass through here on the route between Belfast and Newcastle. Leaving Newcastle, you pass the elegant facade of the Slieve On one side, you’ll see the tidal Donard Resort and Spa, then the coastline of the inner bay and on world-famous Royal County Down the other a wooded area. Look out Golf Club that hosted the Irish for wading birds on the mudflats Open. The path then leads you to as this is an important habitat Murlough National Nature Reserve. for them.

After exploring the ancient sand Ballykinler and Tyrella give another dune ecosystem, the Walk follows coastal vista, then you head the inner bay to the villages of inland to Saint Patrick’s Country Dundrum and Clough. in Downpatrick, where the patron saint established his first church and was later laid to rest.

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Tyrella to Downpatrick (G) 16km 1 Day

Downpatrick and the Lecale area, Many Irish churches were destroyed

Down Catherral, Downpatrick south-east of , is by Viking raids, but they were often known as ‘Saint Patrick’s Country’, rebuilt. Later Norman invaders built as the links to the saint’s life and new monasteries and abbeys here, legacy are so significant. as well as defensive buildings.

The story of Christianity in Ireland The spiritual centre of this section began here, where Saint Patrick of The Pilgrim’s Walk is Down brought his boat ashore on Cathedral, a place of Christian Strangford Lough. Much of Lecale’s worship since the 5th century. Christian heritage is conserved. Downpatrick’s town centre is compact, and many of the Visitors can still walk in Saint historically important sites are Patrick’s footsteps, from the site in a small area centred around where he established his first the cathedral. church to his final resting place. Other Christian Heritage sites are The coastal landscape around within a few miles of Downpatrick. Tyrella and the rolling green The special atmosphere at these farmland of Lecale is a treat for spiritual places is inspirational. pilgrims. The landscape of traffic- free roads is dotted with churches Why not download and grand estates, as well as holy the app? sites and historic buildings. walkdownpatrick.com

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TOILETS THE SAINT PATRICK CENTRE & DOWNPATRICK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE CHURCH

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OMNIPLEX CINEMA

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