Diocese of Down & Dromore

St Patrick's Day Celebrations 2025

We had a wonderful turnout for our St Patrick's Day celebrations with many pilgrims from different parts of the world joining us at Saul and on the pilgrimage to Down Cathedral where we swelled the already large congregation at the Festival Service. We're grateful to our excellent preachers who spoke on godly leadership - Canon Maurice Elliott (Church of Ireland Theological Institute) and His Honour David Turner KC (All Souls Langham Place) - and to all those who took part in the services.

  • Bishop David, Canon Elliott and Dean Blair
    Bishop David, Canon Elliott and Dean Blair
  • The outdoor congregation at Saul Church
    The outdoor congregation at Saul Church
  • Canon Maurice Elliott, Bishop David and Dean Henry Blair at Saul
    Canon Maurice Elliott, Bishop David and Dean Henry Blair at Saul
  • Standing room only at Saul
    Standing room only at Saul
  • Canon Maurice Elliott preaches at Saul
    Canon Maurice Elliott preaches at Saul
  • Distribution outside Saul Church
    Distribution outside Saul Church
  • Revd Claire Aylward and Revd Willie Nixon
    Revd Claire Aylward and Revd Willie Nixon
  • Canon Maurice Elliott, Dean Henry Blair, Bishop David and Jean and David Turner at the start of the pilgrimage
    Canon Maurice Elliott, Dean Henry Blair, Bishop David and Jean and David Turner at the start of the pilgrimage
  • Prayer from Bishop David
    Prayer from Bishop David
  • Revd Stu Armstrong leads the prayer pilgrimage
    Revd Stu Armstrong leads the prayer pilgrimage
  • Prayer stop
    Prayer stop
  • Anna and family on pilgrimage
    Anna and family on pilgrimage
  • Praying for leaders in the community
    Praying for leaders in the community
  • Archdeacon Jim
    Archdeacon Jim
  • Final prayer stop in Downpatrick
    Final prayer stop in Downpatrick
  • One of our young pilgrims carries the cross
    One of our young pilgrims carries the cross
  • One of our biggest pilgrimages arrives at Down Cathedral
    One of our biggest pilgrimages arrives at Down Cathedral
  • Piped into the cathedral
    Piped into the cathedral
  • Dean Henry Blair's first Festival Service
    Dean Henry Blair's first Festival Service
  • Gavin Robinson MP and Revd Elaine Pentland
    Gavin Robinson MP and Revd Elaine Pentland
  • Mr Gawn Rowan Hamilton, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Down
    Mr Gawn Rowan Hamilton, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Down
  • John Quinn and John McGrath
    John Quinn and John McGrath
  • Bishop David welcomes the congregation at Down Cathedral
    Bishop David welcomes the congregation at Down Cathedral
  • Irish dancers help to set the scene
    Irish dancers help to set the scene
  • McCartney School of Dance
    McCartney School of Dance
  • Revd John Scott gives the reading in Irish
    Revd John Scott gives the reading in Irish
  • His Honour David Turner KC gives the address at Down Cathedral
    His Honour David Turner KC gives the address at Down Cathedral
  • Robin McLoughlin OBE leads the intercessions
    Robin McLoughlin OBE leads the intercessions
  • Procession to St Patrick's grave
    Procession to St Patrick's grave
  • His Honour David Turner KC prepares to lay the wreath at Patrick's grave
    His Honour David Turner KC prepares to lay the wreath at Patrick's grave
  • Cllr Pete Byrne, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Bishop David, His Honour David Turner KC, Dean Henry Blair and Mr Gawn Rowan Hamilton, HM Lord-Lieutenant of County Down
    Cllr Pete Byrne, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Bishop David, His Honour David Turner KC, Dean Henry Blair and Mr Gawn Rowan Hamilton, HM Lord-Lieutenant of County Down
  • Bishop David, His Honour David Turner KC and Dean Henry Blair
    Bishop David, His Honour David Turner KC and Dean Henry Blair
  • Family picnic in the pews
    Family picnic in the pews
  • Picnic after the service
    Picnic after the service
  • Canon Ronnie Nesbitt and friends
    Canon Ronnie Nesbitt and friends
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