By tradition, when St Patrick arrived in Ireland in 432, strong currents swept his boat through the tidal narrows of Strangford Lough and he landed where the Slaney River enters the lough. The local chieftain, Dichu Mac Trichim, was converted and gave him a barn, in Old Irish saball, which is said to be the origin of the name Saul, to hold services. Patrick is said to have died at Saul Monastery on 17 March 461 and to be buried at nearby Downpatrick.
In the grounds of Down Cathedral, on Cathedral Hill, is the burial place of St Patrick, but the inscribed stone of Mourne granite said to mark the grave was in fact put in place in 1900. Near Saul a hill called St Patrick's Shrine has a large statue of the saint on top.
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