Saint Patrick Visitor Centre facts for kids
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The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre is a special museum and exhibition hall in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. It's all about the life and stories of Saint Patrick, who is the patron saint of Ireland. This centre is the only place in the world completely dedicated to Saint Patrick.
The centre is located right in the middle of Downpatrick town. It's close to Down Cathedral and where Saint Patrick is said to be buried. It's open all year round for visitors. The centre opened in 2001 and was built with money from the National Lottery.
Contents
Discovering Saint Patrick's Story
The main part of the centre is an exhibition called Ego Patricius. This name means "I, Patrick" in Latin. It uses Saint Patrick's own words to show how Christianity came to Ireland. You can learn about his important journey and how the Christian faith grew there.
What You'll See Inside
The exhibition also displays amazing artwork and metal items from early Christian times. It shows how Irish missionaries had a big impact across Europe during this period. The centre uses cool technology like videos and voice recordings. It focuses on the real historical Saint Patrick, not just the legends. There's even a special cinema where you can watch a film about him. The building itself has cool glass walls and life-size figures.
More Than Just an Exhibition
Besides the main exhibition, the Saint Patrick Visitor Centre has other useful areas. There's a place where you can get tourist information about the area. You can also find a craft shop to buy souvenirs and a cafe for snacks. The centre also has an art gallery. It runs an Education Initiative too, which works with local schools.
Working Together for the Community
The centre believes in working with everyone in the community. It follows the "Spirit of Saint Patrick" to bring people together. Over the years, it has worked with different groups to support local traditions. Many people, including parents, teachers, artists, and leaders, support the centre. They are helping to plan its future. Scholars and political leaders from Europe and the United States also support its ongoing work.
Friends of the Centre
Since 2008, groups called "Friends of Saint Patrick Centre" have formed in North America. These groups are charities that help support the centre's work. They have chapters in places like Milwaukee, Minnesota, Arizona, Albany, and Toronto. These friends help fund the Young Ambassadors' Programme. This program brings American and Canadian university students to Northern Ireland. They learn about the people and share their discoveries with friends and family back home.
Centre Achievements
The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre has been recognized for its work. In 2004, it received a high commendation in the Information and Communication Category at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.
How Many People Visit?
The centre has welcomed many visitors over the years. In its first two years, about 80,000 people visited. By 2018, the number of visitors grew to 130,000 people.
