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Christianity in County Down

Claire McCollum joins two nuns whose St Patrick pilgrimage includes walking and kayaking to sacred sites in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Claire McCollum follows in the footsteps of Saint Patrick and joins two nuns who lead a pilgrimage dedicated to the patron saint, which even involves kayaking in and around County Down in Northern Ireland.

The pilgrimage takes in some of the area鈥檚 most sacred sites, including Saul Church, known as the cradle of Christianity for Ireland, which was built on the site of Saint Patrick's earliest known act of Christian worship.

Claire also visits one of Ireland鈥檚 most impressive examples of early Gothic architecture, 12th-century Cistercian priory Grey Abbey, and hears the story of its fascinating founder, Princess Affreca, noted for the strength of her religious patronage in the very male-dominated environment of the time. She also experiences one of the jewels of the abbey, the reconstruction of its original physic garden, which offers an insight into medieval medicine and the folklore surrounding many of the herbs that have grown there for centuries.

Finally, on the banks of Strangford Lough, Claire meets a local Christian artist whose work reflects themes of faith, the beauty of God鈥檚 creation and the human experience.

34 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Claire McCollum
Executive Producer Cat Lewis
Executive Producer Emyr Afan
Series Editor Matthew Napier
Producer Matt McCann
Production Company Avanti Media

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