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{{Short description|Modern exhibition complex in Northern Ireland}}
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The '''Saint Patrick Visitor Centre''' is a modern exhibition complex located in [[Downpatrick]], [[County Down]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It is a permanent interpretative exhibition centre featuring interactive displays on the life and story of [[Saint Patrick]], the [[patron saint]] of [[Ireland]]. It provides the only permanent exhibition centre in the world devoted to Saint Patrick.<ref name="SP">{{cite web | title=About the Centre | work=Saint Patrick Visitor Centre | url=http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/ | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>
{{EngvarB|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, February 2010 (01).JPG|thumb|right|250px|Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, February 2010]]
[[File:Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, February 2010 (12).JPG|thumb|right|250px|Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, February 2010]]
[[File:St Patricks Day Parade, Downpatrick, March 2010 (60).JPG|thumb|right|250px|Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, St Patrick's Day, March 2010]]
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The '''Saint Patrick Visitor Centre''' is a modern exhibition complex located in [[Downpatrick]], [[County Down]], Northern Ireland. It is a permanent interpretative exhibition centre featuring interactive displays on the life and story of [[Saint Patrick]], the [[patron saint]] of Ireland. It provides the only permanent exhibition centre in the world devoted to Saint Patrick.<ref name="SP">{{cite web | title=About the Centre | work=Saint Patrick Visitor Centre | url=http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/ | access-date=30 May 2008 | archive-date=14 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114001504/http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/ | url-status=live }}</ref>


It is situated in the town centre, below [[Down Cathedral]] and the site of Saint Patrick's grave and is open all year round. It was established using Millennium Project funding from the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]],<ref>{{cite web | title=The Saint Patrick Centre | work=Heritage Island | url=http://www.heritageisland.com/The%20Saint%20Patrick%20Centre.asp | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref> cost £6.3m and opened in [[2001 in Northern Ireland|2001]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Saint Patrick Centre | work=Irish Secrets | url=http://www.irishsecrets.ie/history-secrets/saint-patrick-centre.php | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>In the exhibition, entitled ''Ego Patricius'', Saint Patrick's own words are used to illuminate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission. It also reveals the artwork and metalwork which were features of the Early Christian period, as well as the major impact of Irish missionaries in this period in [[Europe]].<ref name="SP"/> The exhibition uses a multi-media approach and state-of-the art technology to focus on the historical Saint Patrick and not on the legends, as well as a film shown in the purpose-built cinema. The design involves bold glass walls, life-size figurines, videos and voice recordings.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick (County Down) | work=About.com: Ireland Travel| url=http://goireland.about.com/od/countydown/gr/patrick_centre.htm | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>
It is situated in the town centre, below [[Down Cathedral]] and the site of Saint Patrick's grave and is open all year round. It was established using Millennium Project funding from the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]],<ref>{{cite web|title=The Saint Patrick Centre |work=Heritage Island |url=http://www.heritageisland.com/The%20Saint%20Patrick%20Centre.asp |access-date=30 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117053647/https://www.heritageisland.com/The%20Saint%20Patrick%20Centre.asp |archive-date=17 November 2007 }}</ref> cost £6.3m and opened in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Saint Patrick Centre | work=Irish Secrets | url=http://www.irishsecrets.ie/history-secrets/saint-patrick-centre.php | access-date=30 May 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118173228/http://irishsecrets.ie/history-secrets/saint-patrick-centre.php | archive-date=18 November 2007 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In the exhibition, entitled ''Ego Patricius'', Saint Patrick's own words are used to illuminate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission. It also reveals the artwork and metalwork which were features of the Early Christian period, as well as the major impact of Irish missionaries in this period in Europe.<ref name="SP"/> The exhibition uses a multi-media approach and state-of-the art technology to focus on the historical Saint Patrick and not on the legends, as well as a film shown in the purpose-built cinema. The design involves bold glass walls, life-size figurines, videos and voice recordings.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick (County Down) | work=About.com: Ireland Travel | url=http://goireland.about.com/od/countydown/gr/patrick_centre.htm | access-date=30 May 2008 | archive-date=6 March 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306041550/http://goireland.about.com/od/countydown/gr/patrick_centre.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>


Apart from the permanent exhibition, the Centre also features a tourist information centre, craft shop, cafe and art gallery. the Centre also has an Education Initiative reaching out to local schools.<ref name="SP"/>
Apart from the permanent exhibition, the Centre also features a tourist information centre, craft shop, cafe and art gallery. The Centre also has an Education Initiative reaching out to local schools.<ref name="SP"/>


Currently in planning (in [[2008 in Northern Ireland|2008]]) are [[Ulster Irish]] and [[Ulster Scots (linguistics)|Ulster Scots]] workshops and the Centre has the support of the [[Ancient Order of Hibernians]] and the [[Ulster-Scots Agency]] in these studies of local traditions. Support for the Centre has been growing from parents, schools, academics, artists, politicians and people in industry and commerce thanks to the people from a variety of academic disciplines who are presently planning its future. A range of scholars and political leaders from [[Europe]] and the [[United States]] are committed to supporting the continuing work of the Centre.<ref name="DD">{{cite web | title=Centre at the heart of town | work=Down Democrat | url=http://www.downdemocrat.com/news/story/?trs=eygbauey| accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>
The Centre has a cross community ethos of working in the ‘Spirit of Saint Patrick’ and has worked over the years with the [[Ancient Order of Hibernians]], the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin and the [[Ulster-Scots Agency]] to support studies of local traditions. Support for the Centre has been growing from parents, schools, academics, artists, politicians and people in industry and commerce thanks to the people from a variety of academic disciplines who are presently planning its future. A range of scholars and political leaders from Europe and the United States are committed to supporting the continuing work of the Centre.<ref name="DD">{{cite web | title=Centre at the heart of town | work=Down Democrat, 21 May 2008 | url=http://www.downdemocrat.com/news/story/?trs=eygbauey | access-date=30 May 2008 | archive-date=12 November 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112101314/http://www.downdemocrat.com/news/story/?trs=eygbauey | url-status=live }}</ref>


In summer 2008, under The Young Ambassadors’ Programme, the Saint Patrick Centre will host thirty American schoolchildren, coming to learn about the people of Northern Ireland and feedback their discoveries to their families and friends and fellow students back at home.<ref name="DD"/>
Since 2008 a series of 501c3 charities called the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre has created Chapters to support the work of the Centre in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Arizona, Albany and Toronto. Since that date they have supported the Centres’ Young Ambassadors' Programme, which hosts up to twelve American and Canadian university students, coming to learn about the people of Northern Ireland and feedback their discoveries to their families and friends and fellow students back at home.<ref name="DD"/>


==The Building==
==The building==
The building was designed by architects Consarc and features a curved, suspended glass façade in a striking 10m high frameless glass entrance. This façade ensures maximum transparency of the interior to the people of Downpatrick and to visitors. The building is set partly into the ground to reduce its impact on the listed buildings behind, including the Cathedral, and uses the glass façade to counteract any tendency for the building to be seen as a bunker. As a result the building is welcoming, open and flooded with light.<ref>{{cite web | title=St. Patrick Visitors' Centre, Downpatrick | work=Pilkingtons | url=http://www.pilkington.com/Applications/case+studies/uk/st+patrick+visitors+centre+downpatrick.htm | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>
<!--<ref>{{cite web | title=St. Patrick Visitors' Centre, Downpatrick | work=Pilkingtons | url=http://www.pilkington.com/Applications/case+studies/uk/st+patrick+visitors+centre+downpatrick.htm | access-date=30 May 2008 | archive-date=3 April 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403053439/http://www.pilkington.com/applications/case+studies/uk/st+patrick+visitors+centre+downpatrick.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>-->


==Awards==
==Awards==
The Centre was highly commended in the Information and Communication Category in the 2004 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saint Patrick Centre | work=Irish Tourist.com | url=http://www.irishtourist.com/details/saint_patrick_centre.shtml | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>
The Centre was highly commended in the Information and Communication Category in the 2004 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saint Patrick Centre | work=Irish Tourist.com | url=http://www.irishtourist.com/details/saint_patrick_centre.shtml | access-date=30 May 2008 | archive-date=15 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515232201/http://www.irishtourist.com/details/saint_patrick_centre.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref>


==Funding Issues==
==Visitor Numbers==
The Centre attracted 80,000 visitors in its first two years of operation and in 130,000 in 2018.
In the first year of opening (2001 to 2002) the centre attracted more than 80,000 people, but even then it faced closure due to lack of funding.<ref>{{cite web | title=St Patrick's centre cash crisis | work=BBC NI News, 19 April 2002 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1940481.stm | accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/ Saint Patrick Centre]
*[http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/ Saint Patrick Centre]
*[http://www.saintpatrickscountry.com Saint Patrick's Country]
*[http://www.saintpatrickscountry.com Saint Patrick's Country]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110717214921/http://www.virtualvisit-northernireland.com/gallery.aspx?dataid=52347&title=Museums_and_Galleries Virtual tour of Saint Patrick Visitor Centre] – Virtual Visit Northern Ireland


{{Museums and Galleries in Ireland}}
{{Museums and galleries in Northern Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord |54.326|-5.718|type:landmark|display=title}}


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[[Category:Museums in Northern Ireland|Saint Patrick]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Down]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Down]]
[[Category:Downpatrick]]
[[Category:Downpatrick]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in County Down]]
[[Category:Museums in County Down|Saint Patrick]]
[[Category:Religious museums in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Biographical museums in the United Kingdom]]
{{UK-museum-stub}}
[[Category:Religious museums in Ireland]]
{{NI-stub}}
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[[Category:2001 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2001]]
[[Category:Visitor centers]]

Latest revision as of 21:21, 18 December 2023

Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, February 2010
Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, February 2010
Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, St Patrick's Day, March 2010

The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre is a modern exhibition complex located in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a permanent interpretative exhibition centre featuring interactive displays on the life and story of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It provides the only permanent exhibition centre in the world devoted to Saint Patrick.[1]

It is situated in the town centre, below Down Cathedral and the site of Saint Patrick's grave and is open all year round. It was established using Millennium Project funding from the National Lottery,[2] cost £6.3m and opened in 2001.[3] In the exhibition, entitled Ego Patricius, Saint Patrick's own words are used to illuminate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission. It also reveals the artwork and metalwork which were features of the Early Christian period, as well as the major impact of Irish missionaries in this period in Europe.[1] The exhibition uses a multi-media approach and state-of-the art technology to focus on the historical Saint Patrick and not on the legends, as well as a film shown in the purpose-built cinema. The design involves bold glass walls, life-size figurines, videos and voice recordings.[4]

Apart from the permanent exhibition, the Centre also features a tourist information centre, craft shop, cafe and art gallery. The Centre also has an Education Initiative reaching out to local schools.[1]

The Centre has a cross community ethos of working in the ‘Spirit of Saint Patrick’ and has worked over the years with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin and the Ulster-Scots Agency to support studies of local traditions. Support for the Centre has been growing from parents, schools, academics, artists, politicians and people in industry and commerce thanks to the people from a variety of academic disciplines who are presently planning its future. A range of scholars and political leaders from Europe and the United States are committed to supporting the continuing work of the Centre.[5]

Since 2008 a series of 501c3 charities called the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre has created Chapters to support the work of the Centre in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Arizona, Albany and Toronto. Since that date they have supported the Centres’ Young Ambassadors' Programme, which hosts up to twelve American and Canadian university students, coming to learn about the people of Northern Ireland and feedback their discoveries to their families and friends and fellow students back at home.[5]

The building

[edit]

Awards

[edit]

The Centre was highly commended in the Information and Communication Category in the 2004 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.[6]

Visitor Numbers

[edit]

The Centre attracted 80,000 visitors in its first two years of operation and in 130,000 in 2018.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "About the Centre". Saint Patrick Visitor Centre. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  2. ^ "The Saint Patrick Centre". Heritage Island. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  3. ^ "The Saint Patrick Centre". Irish Secrets. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  4. ^ "Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick (County Down)". About.com: Ireland Travel. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Centre at the heart of town". Down Democrat, 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  6. ^ "Saint Patrick Centre". Irish Tourist.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
[edit]

54°19′34″N 5°43′05″W / 54.326°N 5.718°W / 54.326; -5.718

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