SNIPPET: Rathfriland and Castlewellan, Co. Down, both go against the usual behavior of Irish towns by being perched on hilltops rather than lying in valleys. Downpatrick, likewise, began on a hilltop, but expanded into the valley below. Patrick BRUNTY (the father of the literary BRONTE sisters) was born and raised there. Tradition tells us that the nearby hamlet of Saul was the location of St. Patrick's first church and the centre of his operations. The spot is marked by a beautiful little church with a round tower that was dedicated in 1933 when the official 1500th anniversary of the Saint's mission was celebrated. The cathedral on the hill is one of the number of spots which claim to be his burial place. There are many conflicting traditions about the 6th century holy man who introduced himself as 'I Patrick, a sinner.'