Edward Street

The square you see in front is the original marketplace in the town - called the ‘Shambles Market’, which was built in 1827.

For a time, the market was used by butchers for slaughtering their animals and selling their meat. 

 

It is because of this that the market claims its name, ‘Shambles;’ from the French language with a rather unappetizing translation to English of ‘a place of blood and gore’. 

 

This tradition of selling pork, animal hides, straw and hay continued right up until the end of the 19th Century. 

 

There is still a market held in this square every Tuesday and Thursday.

 

With the twin spires of St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral ahead of us, and St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral perched on the hill behind us, it is the perfect place to consider the link between the, St Patrick of course!

 

St Patrick came to Ireland after having been ordained a Bishop to spead the Word of Christianity.

 

St Patrick is closely associated with the shamrock, and is often holding one in images of him. This is because of the way in which he demonstrated the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland; by associating it with the three leaves of the Shamrock.