Ireland and Irish people all over the world will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day on 17 March, nowhere more so than on the 130km St Patrick’s Way, the pilgrim walk stretching from Armagh, the ecclesiastical centre of Ireland, to Downpatrick.
Passing through some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenic landscapes, the trail gives walkers and pilgrims the chance not only to reflect on the life and influence of St Patrick but also to connect deeply with the natural world.
Inspired by the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the route, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, is split into seven sections, some of which can be completed within a day.
The trail ends at Downpatrick Cathedral, a place of Christian worship since the fifth century, and where St Patrick is said to be buried under a large stone slab in front of the building.
Downpatrick is also home to the Saint Patrick Centre, the world’s only permanent exhibition dedicated to St Patrick, where interactive audio-visual presentations tell the story of Christianity in Ireland.