Ritchie Calls for Support for St Patrick's Heritage

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie.[/caption] “Peoples throughout the world identify with St Patrick on St Patrick’s Day.xa0 What better way for celebration and identification than visit the principal assets associated with Patrician heritage on the island of Ireland in the Lecale area. “St Patrick is unique to this area in that he began and ended his ministry in this area.xa0 St Patrick is a figure of reconciliation and unification on this island –xa0he belongs to everyone and is our standard bearer.” “Tourism is our main economic driver in South Down. xa0Central to that tourism drive in this part of South Down is Patrician heritage and St Patrick’s Country.xa0 In Downpatrick, Saul, Raholp and the wider Lecale area, we have the main Patrician sites. [caption id="attachment_37155" align="alignleft" width="390"] Come join the large turnout of walkers on their annual walk from St Patrick’s Church, Saul, to Down Cathedral on Monday.[/caption] “These are xa0St Patrick’s landing site at the River Slaney at the mouth of Strangford Lough; his first church, abbey and pilgrim site at Saul; where he took healing waters at Struell Wells; Sliabh Padraig monument at Saul; his burial site at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick and St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town where there is a shrine dedicated to our national saint. What better way to co-ordinate and sample that visit than go to St Patrick’s Centre in the town and sample the historical visitor experience, and then go to the other sites. “Whether you want to visit those important sites, walk in the area, participate or even view the parade or simply soak up the atmosphere in Downpatrick and Lecale, why not visit this area over the next few days and see an area rich in early Christian heritage. “Documented evidence and research have clearly demonstrated that our heritage makes a significant financial return to the local economy. “Why not make that visit to St Patrick’s Country this weekend and sample the unique heritage of St Patrick”.