AUGUST Bank Holidayxa0Sundayxa0is the last chance to solve the Mediaevalxa0Mystery at the heart of four of Downpatrick’s tourist attractions.
Designed to accommodate xa0explorers of all ages, the intrepid Indiana Jones adventurers xa0embark onxa0an exciting trip that begins at Down County Museum, continues at the Stxa0Patrick Centre, and the concludes at Inch Abbey via the steam train at thexa0Downpatrick and County Down Railway station, back in time to the late twelfth century Inch Abbey.
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Inch Abbey will be an interesting place to visit during the August Bank Holiday as the Mystery Monk makes his last visit.[/caption]Downpatrick and County Down Railway chairman John Wilson said: “Visitors willxa0be guided by archaeologists, xa0an be set some intriguingxa0challenges including taking part in a dig, the discovery of medievalxa0artefacts, and unravelling the mystery surrounding them at their finalxa0destination.
“This involves, unlocking the guided treasure trail at Downxa0County Museum, unearth artefacts at the Saint Patrick Centre with realxa0archaeologists, travelling back in time to Inch Abbey on our genuine ‘Timexa0Train’ express with the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway to finally solvexa0the Medieval Mystery with the Monks of Inch Abbey.”
Tickets (from the Centre) are priced at £7.00 for adults, £4.50 forxa0children aged 3-16, £5 concessions, £20.00 for a family/friends ticket (2xa0adults/2 children) and Under-3’s free.xa0Call 028 4461 2233.
Once finished, refreshing warm teas and coffees, as well as lots of bunsxa0are being served all day onboard a buffet carriage parked at Inch Abbeyxa0station waiting for the return journey.xa0Also, the Downpatrick Railway will also be open for trips out to Inch on Saturday and additionally on Bank Holidayxa0Monday, although without thexa0Monk.
Mr. Wilson added: “A trip to the railway isn’t just xa0about the station museum and thexa0new “Carriage Gallery” visitor centre – it xa0brings the golden age of the railwayxa0vividly to life and looks at the impact that the railways had on people’sxa0live xa0through artefacts from the smallest such as a ticket in thexa0upstairs exhibition, or the largest such as lovingly restored railwayxa0carriages in the Carriage Gallery and the stark contrast of the wrecksxa0these vehicles once were when rescued.
“For the younger train fans, children can enjoy their own ‘Kids’ Station’ in the Gallery, and dress up as a train driver or guard, or they can get toxa0drive Thomas the Tank Engine on a model railway – or will they let the ‘big kids’ have a go too?”
For those a little more adventurous, and perhaps live out a childhoodxa0dream, you can buy a “Footplate Pass” for just £20 and get to travel up inxa0the locomotive cab with the driver.
Trainsxa0on Saturdayxa0andxa0Monday run 2pmxa0tillxa05pm, with ticket costing:xa0adults £5.50 return, £4.50 children and senior citizens, and don’t forgetxa0that children aged three years old or below go free. A family ticket costsxa0£18, and xa0why not join the DCDR Society and get free travel for thexa0entire summer months, as well as get regular updates on what’s happeningxa0at Northern Ireland’s steam centre?
For further information on events – or if you are thinking about joiningxa0as a volunteer contact the Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre on 028xa04461 2233, or follow on Facebook or twitter @downrail.
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