His Holiness immediately sent Cardinal Vivian to preside at the translation of the relics.

The ceremony took place on the 9th of June, 1186, that day being the feast of St.Columba.The relics of the three saints were deposited in the same monument at the right side of the high altar.

The right hand of St.Patrick was enshrined and placed on the high altar.

In 1315, Edward Bruce invaded Ulster, marched to Downpatrick, destroyed the abbey, and carried off the enshrined hand.

In 1538, Lord Grey, who marched into Lecale to establish the supremacy of his master, Henry VIII., by fire and sword, "effaced the statues of the three patron saints, and burned the cathedral, for which act, along with many others equally laudable, he was beheaded three years afterwards." The restoration of the old abbey-church was undertaken of late years, and preceded by an act of desecration, which is still remembered with horror.