Saul Church
Saul Church
4.5
About
This church was built on the site of St. Patrick's first church in 1932 to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of St. Patrick's at the Slaney river. The site has some remnants of the monastic site which formed here after the Saint's death. There is parking available at the Saul Road entrance and public toilets are available.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
38 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Colin T
Brighton, UK6 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
On our drive from Downpatrick to the picturesque little village of Strangford we came across Saul Church.
It wasn't a particularly sunny day but we stopped in the layby outside and had a stroll around this delightful little church.
Something very special about this place..... and what a stunning location.
Wish we'd had more time to explore.
Maybe that's a reason to go back to this beautiful part of Ireland. 😊🍀
It wasn't a particularly sunny day but we stopped in the layby outside and had a stroll around this delightful little church.
Something very special about this place..... and what a stunning location.
Wish we'd had more time to explore.
Maybe that's a reason to go back to this beautiful part of Ireland. 😊🍀
Written 13 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Honestcritic1952
104 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
A beautiful church built with Mourne Granite in 1932. This is where Saint Patrick established his first church in Ireland in 432.
The whole site is beautifully designed and maintained. You are steeped in a sense of the early Christianity in what is now a relatively contemporary place. Take a while and immerse yourself in the past and the present in this special place.
The historic parish and village of Saul spreads out below you. Its Catholic Church is also a must visit as you make your way to the National Monument to Saint Patrick high on a hill about a mile to the east.
You will enjoy the natural splendour and deep sense of history of this unique place.
The whole site is beautifully designed and maintained. You are steeped in a sense of the early Christianity in what is now a relatively contemporary place. Take a while and immerse yourself in the past and the present in this special place.
The historic parish and village of Saul spreads out below you. Its Catholic Church is also a must visit as you make your way to the National Monument to Saint Patrick high on a hill about a mile to the east.
You will enjoy the natural splendour and deep sense of history of this unique place.
Written 1 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frankm654
Banbridge, UK1,069 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
If only people got the real reason for St.Patricks day.
Just like Christmas.
It's not about celebrating and drinking alcohol and revelry.
But about God and his gift if salvation.
But it is only a gift if we receive it freely.
But this place even on a wet December day rekindles the Spirit of God in us.
Go visit it.
People flock to Bethlehem to visit.
And people should come here to celebrate the first Christian Church in Ireland.
The view is spectacular. And as I was in the small church months ago it us moving inside the building.
Just like Christmas.
It's not about celebrating and drinking alcohol and revelry.
But about God and his gift if salvation.
But it is only a gift if we receive it freely.
But this place even on a wet December day rekindles the Spirit of God in us.
Go visit it.
People flock to Bethlehem to visit.
And people should come here to celebrate the first Christian Church in Ireland.
The view is spectacular. And as I was in the small church months ago it us moving inside the building.
Written 26 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TGC
Bangor, UK623 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Saul Church, also known as St. Patrick's Memorial Church, was built in 1932 to commemorate St. Patrick. It is a replica of an early church with a round tower and is built on the reputed spot of St. Patrick's first sermon and church in Ireland.
Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick, is a huge statue of the saint. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's patron saint.
Another tourist spot that is free and interesting.
Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick, is a huge statue of the saint. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's patron saint.
Another tourist spot that is free and interesting.
Written 12 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanz1820
Inverness, UK154 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This building made me hopeful for Northern Ireland. It reflects the simplicity and humility of the Christian Gospel. Good to see evidence of the involvement of local children and an ecumenical prayer group. Not sure why they don't cut the grass in the graveyard though.
Written 7 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine G
Vancouver, Canada24 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Saul church is down a country road. It is tiny and when we visited it was open so we could see the beautiful stained glass windows and musical organ. There are old gravestones and amazing views.
Written 7 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madeline P
48 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This church is small, precious, and unassuming. Though it is tidy and well-kept, it is not too pristine and certainly not touristy. It is clear that its visitors come to worship and adore the Lord, and that is clearly the focus of the church as well.
This is the site of the beginning of Christianity in Ireland, and this small church is clearly not only an Irish community but also a welcome place for pilgrims of the faith to stop by. Our family sung a hymn, prayed in the prayer room, and happened to run into a cute older lady who helps at the church who obligingly took our picture. The church and the grounds are beautiful as well, but it is the spirit of the place that is really worth visiting.
This is the site of the beginning of Christianity in Ireland, and this small church is clearly not only an Irish community but also a welcome place for pilgrims of the faith to stop by. Our family sung a hymn, prayed in the prayer room, and happened to run into a cute older lady who helps at the church who obligingly took our picture. The church and the grounds are beautiful as well, but it is the spirit of the place that is really worth visiting.
Written 20 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
surveyor05
Belfast, UK38 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
This is first Catholic Church in Ireland and located on a mountain outside Downpatrick. A relatively new church has been built in the old Irish style. I was genuinely moved by this church and it really captures old Irish Christianity. Beautiful views of surrounding countryside. Worth visiting. Good free parking and easy access and a total absence of the dreaded Downpatrick traffic wardens
Written 1 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnHornblow
Palmerston North, New Zealand72 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is a very historic yet very contemporary place to visit. Take time to reflect in the prayer room that welcome all. the stain glass is exceptional. The round tower is exceptionally unusual and very historic. The church itself is worth taking a few minutes to explore.
Written 21 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RJF64
Isle of Man, UK9 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
Awe-inspiring to think that St Patrick's mission started here. A lovely peaceful simple church, and a real witness to continuing faith through the centuries
Written 18 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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