Editing Downpatrick (section)

===Reformation and aftermath===
[[File:A view of the old Abbey of Downpatrick, before it was rebuilt, anno 1790 (continued) (IA jstor-20608798) (page 3 crop).jpg|thumb|A view of the old Abbey of Downpatrick, before it was rebuilt, anno 1790]]
Under orders from [[Henry VIII|King Henry VIII of England]], Downpatrick's [[Dissolution of the monasteries|monastic community was dissolved]] by the English around 1540, and the Cathedral fell into ruins. In 1600, the cathedral was allegedly burnt by English forces led by [[Edward Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell|Edward Cromwell]].<ref>Rankin, pp.79–84</ref> A painting from 1788 shows the abbey ruins and its [[Irish round tower|round tower]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Blair |first1=Philip |title=J W Hanna'a Lecture and Exhibition of 1851 |journal=Lecale Review |date=2022 |issue=20}}</ref>

The [[Archbishop of Armagh]], composer of [[Irish bardic poetry]] and [[Christian poetry]] in the [[Classical Gaelic]] [[literary language]], and [[Franciscan]] [[Counter-Reformation]] theologian [[Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil]] was born outside Downpatrick in 1571. On 21 January 1575, Franciscans John Lochran, Donagh O'Rorke, and Edmund Fitzsimon were hanged by Protestants at Downpatrick.

After his 25 April 1681 assassination by his foster brother, Art McCall O'Hanlon near [[Hilltown, County Down]], [[rapparee]] leader Count [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]]'s [[beheading|severed head]] was [[head on a spike|displayed spiked]] upon Downpatrick Gaol. The Count's body was buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery at [[Ballynabeck]], on the road between [[Tandragee]] and [[Scarva]].<ref> Stephen Dunford (2000), ''The Irish Highwaymen'', Merlin Publishing. Pages 103–104.</ref>

Cathedral Hill was the subject of an archaeological investigation in Series 5 of the Channel 4 ''[[Time Team]]'' programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/on-demand/24053-007|title=Time Team – on Demand – All 4|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507083205/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/on-demand/24053-007|url-status=live}}</ref>