Scripture

The strange ruin encountered on a trail through Castlewellan Forest turned out to be a 20ft diameter tea house, built by Hugh Annesley (5th Earl Annesley) for his family on his Castlewellan estate in County Down in 1884.

It had spectacular views over the Mourne Mountains and a nearby lake which is also part of the Annesley estate. It forms part of a popular trail through the forest and gardens, enjoyed today by the public

The Annesley family built up a substantial estate in the south of County Down over a number of generations including a castle and forest at Castlewellan. They held a lease on the estate since the 17th century, and bought the freehold in 1741.

Hugh Annesley, (1831-1908) was an Eton College educated professional soldier who became Colonel of the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1860. He became 5th Earl Annesley after the death of his brother, William Richard in 1874, inheriting the family seat of Castlewellan Castle. Here, as a keen gardener, he continued the development of the arboretum and gardens, and even published a book about the rare trees in his collection.

After his military career he became MP for County Cavan. The photos in today’s post show what remains of the 20 foot diameter tea house which he built in 1884. Constructed on high ground, it provided a panoramic view of Castlewellan Lake. On fine summer days the family would make the journey to the tea house, one of two in the demesne, by pony and chaise. A groom and footman would be in attendance. The task of the footman, was to brew and serve the tea.

Hugh Annesley was also a pioneering amateur photographer. Thirty-five albums of his photographs are in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. They include pictures taken during the wars in South Africa and the Crimea, (where he was severely injured) and during a visit to Japan, as well as photographs of his home at Castlewellan and the surrounding area. He became the third largest landowner in County Down, with about 25,000 acres, extending from the mountains of Slieve Croob to Slieve Donard.

Help: Psalm 124:8

Castlewellan Forest 2

An arboretum is defined as: ‘a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.’ Northern Ireland’s National Arboretum is located here at Castlewellan Forest in County Down. Some of the trees here hold records across the United Kingdom and Ireland for their height. The overall collection of trees here, ranks as the finest in Ireland and among the top three in the British Isles. They are set in beautiful surroundings which include fountains, ponds, ornamental greenhouses and broad sweeping scenic views.

Castlewellan Forest 1

Castlewellan Forest, County Down. A favourite for walkers and a place of refuge for people seeking a peaceful setting away from the stresses and anxieties of COVID and other life circumstances.

Portrush Presbyterian Church, County Antrim

Portrush Presbyterian Church paid their own tribute to St Patrick with this poster outside the church

Portrush Presbyterian Church, County Antrim

Inch Abbey 3

The River Quoile from Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, and the Mound of Down Cathedral where St Patrick's remains are buried.

Some of the detail from the ruin of the 12th Century, Inch Abbey, in this peaceful island setting in County Down

Inch Abbey 2

A distant Down Cathedral, St Patrick's resting place, as seen from the grounds of Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down

Text on the signage reads:

Inch Abbey was founded as a Cistercian Abbey by John De Courcy in the 1180s in atonement for his destruction of nearby Erenagh Abby

The Abbey was colonised by monks from Furness in Lancashire and, together with Grey Abbey, is the earliest example of Gothic architecture in Ireland and finest example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Ulster. It may have been here that Jocelyn, a monk from Furness, wrote his life of Saint Patrick under the patronage of De Courcy as he attempted to win over the local population.

The island site still retains a feeling of peace and seclusion for the visitor, and as well as the picturesque ruins of the church and surrounding buildings, it is also possible to see more unusual survivals, including a bakehouse and possible infirmary.

Inch Abbey 1

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down - former Cistercian Abbey

Monasterboice, an early Christian settlement founded by a follower of St Patrick

High cross at the remains of an early Christian monastic settlement in County Louth.

Patrick was both a missionary and a mentor. His enthusiasm to spread the message of Jesus Christ was passed on to younger men. This site which is a favourite with tourists, is a monastic settlement located at Monasterboice in County Louth. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buite who was one of St. Patrick’s original followers. The cross, known as the Tall Cross, stands at seven metres or twenty-two feet high, making it the tallest of the Irish crosses. The engravings depict stories from the Old and New Testament that would have been used to educate early Christians.

Slemish: St Patrick the slave mountain

Slemish, County Antrim, where it is said Saint Patrick spent six years tending sheep as a slave from age sixteen

Explore St Patrick’s Heritage

The St Patrick Visitor Centre, Downpatrick, County Down.

Want to find out more about St Patrick? Here’s a good place to start. The St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick can give you pointers to the many ancient sites, crosses, etc., with which he is associated. You’ll also be close to Down Cathedral where you can see his tombstone, Saul, where he built the first Christian church in Ireland, and the ancient monastic site and ruin at Inch Abbey is just a short drive away.

St Patrick: Hill of Tara

Figure of St Patrick at Hill of Tara, County Meath, where he defied the orders of the High King.

St Patrick's Church at Hill of Tara which has now been de-commissioned and opened as a visitor centre.

According to tradition, the Hill of Tara in County Meath, was the Coronation place and ceremonial centre of the pre-Christian, High Kings of Ireland, with whom Patrick was often in conflict.

Patrick is said to have lit a pascal fire on the nearby hill of Slane on the morning of Easter 433, in defiance of the order of the High King Laoire who had forbidden the act. Laoire’s druids are said to have warned Patrick that the fire must be extinguished or it would burn forever. Patrick defied the orders and then came to the Hill of Tara to argue with the King and his druids, challenging them perform supernatural acts. Patrick plucked a shamrock from the grassy hillside of Tara, and used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity: the union of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one. Rather than punish Patrick and banish him, the King became convinced and converted, allowing Patrick to continue his missionary work and spread Christianity throughout Ireland.

St Patrick’s Cross: Down Cathedral & Clonmacnoise

Modern replica of St Patrick's cross at Down Cathedral, Downpatrick, County Down

Old St Patrick's cross on display at ancient monastic site at Clonmacnoise Centre, County Offaly

St Patrick’s Crosses: Monasterboice

One of the High Crosses and tower at Monasterboice, County Louth

Pre-Covid tourists enjoy a trip to the ancient monastic site at Monasterboice, County Louth

St Patrick’s Cross: Clonmacnoise

St Patrick's Cross at Clonmacnoise in County Offaly

St Patrick’s Cathedral 2, Armagh City

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh.

St Patrick’s Cathedral 1, Armagh City

St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh

St Patrick’s Rock 2: Psalm 143:5

Closer view from the other side of the Rock of Cashel, also known as St Patrick's Rock, Cashel, County Tipperary

Rock and Fortress: Psalm 31:3

The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick's Rock, located at Cashel, County Tipperary.

Prayer: Luke 6:12

Croagh Patrick Mountain, an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo

According to tradition, St Patrick fasted and prayed on the summit of this mountain for forty days in the year 441. Named after him, Croagh Patrick is climbed by thousands of pilgrims every year on the last Sunday in July. Just like St Patrick’s day celebrations, many enjoy a social day out with little thought of religious significance. But from ancient times, pilgrims have climbed the mountain barefoot, believing that as an act of penance, it might help atone for their sins. Some still hold to the belief today.

Peace: Colossians 3:15

St Patrick's Memorial Church of Ireland, Saul, Downpatrick, County Down

It’s March already and that means we’ll soon be celebrating St Patrick’s day (17th March).

This quaint little church is known as St Patrick’s Memorial Church, Saul. It was on the site of this church that Patrick built the first Christian Church in Ireland in 432AD. This is reckoned to be the most ancient ecclesiastical site on the island of Ireland, described by historians as the ‘cradle of Irish Christianity.’ It’s a fully functioning Church of Ireland church and when times are normal and not restricted by COVID, services are held here every Sunday. The church would also normally be open daily with visitors welcome to visit and pray.

Saul church is situated just a couple of miles from where St Patrick’s remains are reputed to be buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick. Each St Patrick’s day, it is traditional for pilgrims to congregate at Saul church and then walk in procession to the Cathedral for a morning service.

Exterior Saul Church of Ireland, Downpatrick, County Down.

Interior Saul church

Saul Church of Ireland

Stained-glass window in Saul church.

Ask: John 14:13

View of the Mournes, County Down, from Windy Gap, this afternoon, 28Feb.2021

Believe: Mark 9:23

Kinnego Marina, Craigavon, County Armagh

Prayer: Psalm 145:18

Lough Neagh, nr Lurgan, County Armagh, this afternoon, 25 Feb.2021. A bit chilly, but beautiful blue sky - Spring must be coming.

Commit: Psalm 37:5

Ben Bulben mountain, from the burial site of W.B. Yeats, at Drumcliffe, County Sligo

Healing: Jeremiah 33:6

Ards Peninsula, County Down

Goodness and Mercy: Psalm 23:6

Tide's out at Strangford Lough, Comber, County Down

Meditate: Psalm 119:15

Kilfane Glen summer house, County Kilkenny