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St Patrick's Church, Jordanstown

Built in 1866-1868, this is a fine example of the Celtic Revival. It was designed by W H Lynn, the younger partner in 'Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon architects' and is generally of 10th century style.

Attractive features of this white and red sandstone building include a stone carving of Saint Patrick as a shepherd boy in the porch, a selection of arches of Caen stone carved with Celtic motifs and panels filled with colourful mosaics creating a 'happy mixture of the Celtic and the Byzantine'.

The apse contains four original windows of saints Patrick, Comgall, Brigid and Columba, and furnishings include a pair of prayer-desks supported by angels, one with a palm, one with a trumpet.

A round tower, 21 metres high, forms part of the building, with the vestry on the ground floor and the upper portion forming the belfry.

The tower was modelled on St Finian's at Clonmacnoise and the church was the idea of General W J Smythe (see No 6, Carnmoney Cemetery for his details).

Take the M5/A2 towards Carrickfergus. Pass through Whiteabbey and, at the traffic lights opposite Loughshore Park, turn left onto the Jordanstown Road (Monkstown direction). The church is on the right, just over the railway line.