DOWNPATRICK, a maritime town and parliamentary borough of Ireland, capital of county Down, situated a short distance from the mouth of the Quoyle in Lough Strangford, 21 m. S. S. E. of Belfast, with which it is connected by rail; pop. in 1871, 4,154. It is divided into English, Irish, and Scotch quarters, has a cathedral and the diocesan school of the Anglican diocese of Down, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist places of worship, a county court house, prison, infirmary, and fever hospital. Near the town is a new lunatic asylum. A small export trade is carried on by means of vessels of 100 tons from Lough Strangford. It has manufactures of leather, linen, soap, and beer. The four holy wells of St. Patrick, to which pilgrims resort from all parts of Ireland, are near the town. Downpatrick is said to be the oldest city of Ireland, and was the chief residence of St. Patrick.