Saint Patrick Visitor Centre facts for kids
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The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre is a special place in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. It's a modern building with lots of cool displays. This centre is all about the life and amazing story of Saint Patrick, who is the patron saint of Ireland. It's the only place in the world that has a permanent exhibition just for Saint Patrick!
The centre is right in the middle of Downpatrick town. It's located near Down Cathedral and where Saint Patrick is believed to be buried. You can visit it all year round. The centre was built with money from the National Lottery as part of the Millennium Project. It cost about £6.3 million and opened in 2001.
Contents
What You'll See Inside
The main exhibition is called Ego Patricius, which means "I, Patrick". It uses Saint Patrick's own words to tell how Christianity first came to Ireland. You'll learn about his important mission and how it changed the country. The exhibition also shows off beautiful artwork and metalwork from early Christian times. It explains how Irish missionaries had a big impact across Europe during this period.
Interactive Displays and Film
The centre uses lots of modern technology to make learning fun. You'll find multi-media displays, videos, and voice recordings. The goal is to focus on the real, historical Saint Patrick, not just the legends. There's also a special film shown in a custom-built cinema. The design of the centre is very cool, with big glass walls and life-size figures that help tell the story.
Beyond the Exhibition
Besides the main exhibition, the Saint Patrick Visitor Centre has other useful and fun areas.
Visitor Information and Shopping
You can find a tourist information centre here, which is helpful for planning your visit to the area. There's also a craft shop where you can buy unique gifts and souvenirs. If you get hungry, there's a cafe to grab a snack or a drink. The centre also has an art gallery where you can see different artworks.
Learning and Community Work
The centre runs an Education Initiative that works with local schools. This helps young people learn about Saint Patrick and Irish history. The centre believes in working together in the "Spirit of Saint Patrick." Over the years, it has worked with groups like the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ulster-Scots Agency. They support studies of local traditions and help different communities understand each other better.
Many people support the centre, including parents, teachers, artists, and even political leaders from Europe and the United States. They are all helping to plan the centre's future and support its ongoing work.
Young Ambassadors' Programme
Since 2008, groups called "Friends of Saint Patrick Centre" have been set up in places like Milwaukee, Minnesota, Arizona, Albany, and Toronto. These groups help support the centre's work. One important program they support is the Young Ambassadors' Programme. This program brings American and Canadian university students to Northern Ireland. They learn about the people and culture, then share what they've discovered with their families, friends, and fellow students back home.
Awards and Visitors
The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre has been recognized for its great work.
Recognized for Excellence
In 2004, the centre received a high commendation in the Information and Communication Category at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards. This shows how well they share information and connect with visitors.
How Many People Visit?
The centre has been very popular since it opened. In its first two years, about 80,000 people visited. By 2018, the number of visitors grew to 130,000 people!
