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A
Holiday In Ireland
Discovering
Castles in Ireland
Dublin
On A Budget
Galway
Bay - a must see on the west coast of Ireland!
Golfing
Vacation In Ireland, The Home Of The Game
Guided
Tour of Ireland - Spiritual, Mystic and Beautiful
Ireland
Places to Visit on Vacation
Limerick
City: 5 Top Things To Do In The City By The Shannon
Newry
- Co. Down, Northern Ireland's Fourth Largest City
St.
Patrick's Footsteps Driving Tour
Take
a Walking Holiday in West Cork, Ireland
St.
Patrick's Footsteps Driving Tour by Mairead Foley
Armagh
Featured Hotels
The life of Ireland's National
Saint has been well documented, from his early life in slavery to his ordainment
and conversion of the pagan Irish to Christianity. There are many places
in Ireland that are associated with the Saint, each with a story to tell
relating to his life. Fancy walking in the footsteps of the Great Man?
Read on for more about a driving tour of the places that are forever linked
with St. Patrick…
The following are some of
the places in Ireland that are perennially linked to St. Patrick. Although
the land of his birth is disputed by some, he was probably born in modern
day Wales, and was the son of wealthy parents, of whom his father was a
deacon. At the age of sixteen he was abducted by raiding Irish Pirates
and sold into slavery.
Slemish Mountain, County
Antrim and Killala Bay, County Mayo
When sold into slavery,
there are two theories as to where Patrick was enslaved by the chieftain
Miliucc. One theory is that he tendered herds of sheep on Slemish Mountain,
County Antrim and during his isolation here, he found renewed his faith
in God. Slemish Mountain is the remains of an extinct volcano, and is located
near Ballymena, County Antrim. The Mountain is located within an Enviromentally
Sensitive Area. It is a great place for birdwatchers, and has a strong
geological interest for geographers due to its volcanic history.
Another theory was that the
young Patrick was brought to Killala Bay to herd sheep for another local
chieftain, at a place called Fochill. This may have some credence as it
is said that the boat he set sail in, whilst escaping his life of bondage,
left from Mayo. |
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Hill of Slane, County
Meath
The Hill of Slane is the
place where one of the most dramatic scenes of St. Patrick's life took
place. The tradition of the time was that the High King of Laoghaire would
light the first fire in the land at the Royal Palace on the Hill of Tara
- St. Patrick had beaten him to it. According to legend the fire could
not be extinguished by anyone but St. Patrick, and it was here that he
explained the holy trinity mystery, using Ireland's national emblem the
Shamrock, and this is worn on March 17th, St.Patrick's Day.
Croagh Patrick, County
Mayo
Croagh Patrick, in County
Mayo, is the mountain, which St. Patrick climbed and fasted for 40 days.
The miracle of the "banishing of the snakes" is supposed to have occurred
on Croagh Patrick! In reality there has never been snakes in Ireland but
the tale is symbolic of St. Patrick converting the Irish natives to Christianity
and banishing the Druids, whose symbol was the snake. Croagh Patrick, with
its height of 765 feet, attracts thousands of pilgrims who make the trek
to the top on the last Sunday in July. Find out more about Croagh Patrick.
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Lough Derg, County Donegal
Lough Derg in County Donegal
is a place where St. Patrick slew a large monster according to legend!
The area has had a shrine erected in memory of St.Patrick on Station Island,
and during each August, pilgrims spend three days fasting and praying on
the Island. Find out more about Lough Derg.
Armagh Town
One of the most prominent
religious places in Ireland associated with St. Patrick is Armagh Town.
According to legend, it is here that St. Patrick constructed a stone church
around AD 445 and proclaimed it to being the most holy church in Ireland,
and thus founding the See of Armagh. Armagh is today the primary seat of
both the Catholic and Protestant Churches in Ireland and both cathedrals
in the town are named after St. Patrick. |
Down Cathedral, Downpatrick
County Down
Another important place,
not too far from Armagh is the small village of Saul in County Down, located
2 miles from Downpatrick. The name Saul (translated into Irish is Sabhall,
meaning a barn) derives its name from how St. Patrick established his first
Irish church in a barn, which was donated to him by one of his first converts,
a local chieftain called Dichu. Saul has a replica round tower and
church at the approximate spot where St. Patrick had his first church.
On Slieve Patrick Hill there is a statue commemorating the Saint.
Legend has it that when St.
Patrick died in the latter half of the 5th Century AD, his body was laid
onto on ox drawn cart, and to be rested in the place that he revered the
most. The cart made its way to Saul, and St. Patrick's final resting place
is believed to be a shrine in the grounds of Down Cathedral. The grave
of St. Patrick is believed to be shared by Ireland's other main Saints,
St. Brigid and St. Columba. A visit to the St. Patrick Centre close to
Downpatrick Cathedral is well advised, to learn more about the life of
Ireland's patron saint.
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Armagh
Featured Hotels
About the Author: Mairead
writes for Novacarhire.com - an independent car hire reservation website
where you can book low cost car hire at over 5000 locations worldwide.
Thinking of heading to Ireland? Visit Novacarhire.com's www.novacarhire.com/car-hire/Ireland/ Car
hire Ireland page and get an instant quote which will offer you the
best deals from top car rental providers. |
FEATURED
COUNTY ARMAGH HOTELS - NORTHERN IRELAND
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Armagh
City Hotel
This hotel is located in
Armagh. St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral and St. Patrick's Church
are area attractions. Another nearby attraction is St. Patrick's Trian
Centre. Dining options at Armagh City Hotel include a restaurant and a
bar/lounge. Room service is available 24 hours a day. A complimentary breakfast
is served daily. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a health
club, a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness facility. This 3.0-star property
offers small meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment, and business services.
Wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Armagh property
has event space consisting of banquet facilities and exhibit space. Guest
parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a nightclub
and laundry facilities. |
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Carrickdale
Hotel and Spa. Ravensdale
Located in Ravensdale, Carrickdale
Hotel and Spa is a family-friendly hotel in the historical district and
local attractions include Proleek Dolmen. Other regional attractions include
Oriel Park and King John's Castle. Dining options at Carrickdale Hotel
and Spa include 2 restaurants. Recreational amenities include an indoor
pool, a children's pool, a health club, a spa tub, and a sauna. The property's
full-service health spa has massage/treatment rooms. Guest parking is complimentary.
Additional property amenities include a fitness facility and laundry facilities.
This is a smoke-free property. |
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Cranny
Farm, Mullaghbawn
Close to Slieve Gullion,
this Mullaghbawn cottage property is situated in a rural location. Another
area attraction is Crossmaglen Square. Cranny Farm features barbecue grills
and a picnic area. Guest parking is complimentary. This is a smoke-free
property. Guestrooms have mountain views. Rooms are individually decorated
and furnished. At the 4.0-star property, accommodations include kitchens
with stovetops, refrigerators, coffee/tea makers, and cookware/dishes/utensils.
Bathrooms feature makeup/shaving mirrors. Televisions are available in
guestrooms. Rooms also include washers/dryers and irons/ironing boards. |
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Maggie
Crannys, Mullaghbawn
is Mullaghbawn cottage property
is located in a rural location. Slieve Gullion is a local point of interest.
Another area attraction is Crossmaglen Square. Maggie Crannys features
barbecue grills and a garden. Guest parking is complimentary. Guestrooms
have mountain or garden views. Rooms are individually decorated and furnished.
Fireplaces are featured in each room. At the 5.0-star property, accommodations
include kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, stovetops, microwaves,
and dishwashers. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations with handheld
showerheads. TGuestrooms offer phones and CD players. Televisions have
DVD players. Rooms also include separate sitting areas, washers/dryers,
coffee/tea makers, and irons/ironing boards. |
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Potters
Cottage, Craigavon
This Craigavon cottage property
is located in a rural location. Oxford Island Nature Reserve is a local
point of interest. Another local attraction is Ardress House. Potters Cottage
features a coffee shop/café, barbecue grills, and a picnic area.
Guest parking is complimentary. This is a smoke-free property. Rooms are
individually decorated and furnished. At the 3.0-star property, accommodations
include kitchens with stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
Bathrooms feature showers and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is
complimentary. Televisions have DVD players. |
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