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Guide to Belfast. 



architecture was at a low ebb. This church receives a 

 dignity from its size and its position, crowning the summit 

 of a hill, its lofty square tower forming an attractive land- 

 mark. Like most churches, the legend hangs round it that 

 it occupies the site of the first Christian church, and even 

 that of a still earlier Pagan temple. These gave place to a 

 Benedictine abbey, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which 

 was founded by Sir John de Courci, who more than any 

 other man has left his mark on the county of Down. 



IIDWNI'A I KUK CAIHl-HRAL HKMM THE EAST. 



The great interest that centres round this church lies in 

 the associations that the place has with the patron saint of 

 Ireland, whose remains, together with those of Saints 

 Columba and Brigid, were translated to it in 1186, "under 

 the auspices of Sir John de Courci, and in presence of 

 Cardinal Vivian, who had come from Rome to witness the 

 ceremony." It is easy to understand how venerated must 

 have been the spot that contained the relics of three such 

 illustrious saints ; but all the sanctity and love did not pre- 

 vent contending foes from destroying De Courci's church, 

 and the precise place where the saint was buried is now 



