The sea stack at Downpatrick Head, known as ‘Dun Briste ‘or ‘broken fort’ looks as though it was torn from the mainland in one fell swoop, so perfectly would it fit back if it were somehow to float ‘home’. By most accounts high seas brought about the separation. Others suggest the severing of this mysterious soaring rock occurred when St. Patrick wanted to punish the pagan chieftain who lived there and would not convert to Christianity. With his crozier, St. Patrick is said to have lopped off the chunk of land leaving the uncooperative chieftain stranded on the 45 metre high stack. No way down meant a fate of certain death.
The name Downpatrick (Dún Pádraig) meaning "Patrick's stronghold" reflects St. Patrick’s connection here. The saint founded a church, some ruins of which still remain, as does a holy well and cross. In 1912 a statue of St. Patrick was placed here, but the current statue is a replacement from the 1980s.
This headland has served myriad purposes in its 350 million year lifetime, including, but not limited to a place for contemplation and prayer for St. Patrick; a well-placed lookout for hostile attackers; and today, more benignly the rock of Downpatrick Head is home to a variety of species of birds and the mainland draws enthusiastic birdwatchers from far and wide.
The vistas at this starkly dramatic northerly point are never the same from day to day, or sometimes moment to moment. It is a painter’s or photographer’s dream: Photographs do some justice in reflecting the rapidly changing skies, seas, shadows and light, but pictures cannot incorporate the sounds which accompany the striking images. Not only the sight, but the crashing of waves up against the multi-coloured stratified cliffs as well as those swirling round the sea stack are mesmerising. Magnificent in any weather, on a clear day, the coastline of Sligo and Donegal are discernible.
A cavernous blow-hole hollowed out by the powerful force of the Atlantic Ocean waves is known as 'Poll na Seantainne'. Its walls reach some 30 feet below the sea. During the 1798 rebellion, more than two dozen men are said to have drowned here when the tide rose as they took refuge from the Redcoats. In their honour a memorial stands as a reminder of the perils of the sea.
Situated along the Wild Atlantic Way, with more visitors coming to Downpatrick Head, plans are afoot to develop a safe yet accessible walkway around the blowhole.
Like Croagh Patrick, Downpatrick Head’s association with St. Patrick made this a place of pilgrimage. Less popular for pilgrimage today, mass is still celebrated here on Garland Sunday (the last Sunday in July, same day Croagh Patrick sees 30,000 pilgrims on its slopes.)