The New International Encyclopædia/Downpatrick

DOWN′PAT′RICK, or Down. A municipal borough and cathedral town in the county of Down, Ireland, of which it is the capital (Map: Ireland, F 2). It is situated near the mouth of the Quoyle, at the end of Lough Strangford, 21 miles south-southeast of Belfast, with which town it is connected by railway. The cathedral in its present form was restored in 1790 on the site of one built in 1412 and burned in 1538. Vessels of 100 tons reach the quay a mile from Downpatrick. It has manufactures of linen, muslins, soap, leather, and malt liquors. Population, about 3000. Downpatrick was famous before the arrival of Saint Patrick, who founded religious establishments here. Consult Ecclesiastical Associations of Downpatrick (Belfast, 1897).