ST PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE LIMITED
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with
the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of
Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)
(effective l January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The main objective of the company is to provide a focal point for tourists, pl1￿lmS and the local community to learn
more about the story of Patrick and his continuing relevance in modern Ireland and around the World. The Centre aims
to regenerate the local tourist economy afteT many years of the 'troubles' in Mid Down and bring communities together
particularly children through our Cross Community Education Programme. This Programme is developing links not just
between schools from different fatths and traditions in Northern Ireland but also building bridges across the border,
which is one of the main objectives.
The strategies employed to assist the company to meet those objectives include the following'.-
- monitoring of service and standards of custorner contact to ensure that slandards are kept.
the Centre tailors service to the appropriate target audience. local history groups and interested parties,
for example being met by the Director or Heritage Officer or another knowledgeable peison.
- detailed planning on how to handle all manner of questions and emergencies which May arise.
opening and closing times should always be what has been advertised and reflect standard tourism
implementation of a customer care ethos.
Public benefit
The Trustees are confident that the charitable aims of St Patrick Visitor Centre Limited satisfy the principles of public
benefit as def]ned in the Charities Act. They have refetred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's
general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the airns and objectkves and in planning its ￿tUre activities.
The Saint Patrick Centre enhances public understanding of and access to Irish history by providing the only pernianent
exhibition in the World about Saint Patrick in Downpatrick. Northern Ireland. This has a direct benefit to the people of
Mid Down and a wider benefit to the people of County Down. The Centre was one of five 'Signature Projects, for
Northern Ireland selected by the government to bring increased prosperity and tourism revenue to future generations
here. As a result the Saint Patrick Centre primarily clairns charitable status under the Charities Act as an organisation by
providing public benefit through the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science. The Saint Patrick Centre has a
cross community schools programme promoting a greater understanding of Saint Patrick for children and provides a
shared community space. It advances community development and reconciliation through its ethos of promoting Saint
Patrick as a figure who can be understood and celebrated by all of the peoples of Northern Ireland as a result of its work
with community groups and schools. What better role model to do this in modern Northern Ireland than someone from
Britain who became the Patron Saint of Ireland? This has a diiect benefit to the community groups and schools who
participate, an indirect benefit within their communities as well as a wider benefit throughout Northern Ireland. As a
result, the Saint Patrick Centre also claims Charitable Status by providing public benefit through the advancement of
education, a5 well as having the wider benefit of the advancement of citizenship or community development.

ST PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE LIMITED
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The Centre is a private charitable organisation which typtcally attracts increasing numbers of local and international
visitors every year. This year has been very differet)t but we have still supported as far as was possible our Cross
Community Education PrO￿amMe and hosted cross community art exhibitions in its Art Gallery, hosts the Churches
Together Organisation, Downpatrick Citizens Advice, U3A workshops and many other charitable activities.The Centre
has also developed a new guiding walking trail called Saint Patrick's Way the Camino of Ireland in association with
Tourism Nl and provides guided walking experiences which supports local transport operators, local cafes and hotels.
During the Christmas season the Centre provides a Giving Tree and collects presents for disadvantaged children through
social services.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
Beyond trading activities, which accounts for the majority of income, Newry) Mourne and Down District Council
provide a grant of £131,000 and the other ￿ndIng income comes from The Irish Department of Forei￿ Affairs, the
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America and the Heritage Recovery Fund.
Investment policy and objectives
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity's funds are to be spent in the short terni
so there are few funds for long term investment. All ￿ndIng is Grants received in advance are to be invested in
replenishing the exhibition.
Reserves policy
The Management Committee has examined the charity's requirements for reserves An light of the main risks to the
organisation. A policy has been established whereby unrestricted ￿ndS not committed or invested in tangible assets held
by the charity should be 6 months of the annual budgeted expendithre.
Budgeted unrestricted expenditure for the 24125 is approximately £696,000 and therefore the target is £350,000 of
general unrestricted funds. The reserves are required to meet the working capital requirements of the charity.
The actual reserves at 31 March 2024 amount to £106,513 which is below the target figure of £350,000. In calculating
unrestricted reserves the trustees have excluded funds already spent on tangible fixed assets of £3,969,076

ST PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE LIMITED
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
FUTURE PLANS
The company plans Continuing most of the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years and to develop the
following strategic objectives of the ￿ture:.
l. To deliver a Success￿], efficient and effective commercial operation within the constraints of budget annually
provided by Newry Mourne and Down Council and other ￿ndIng agencies.
3. To maximise visitor numbers to the Centre through effective product marketing.
4. To work in cooperation with those whose primary responsibility is to do so promote the facility to the Domestic, ROI
and GB markets.
5. To develop international interest within the US and European markets in cooperdtion with those whose primary
responsibility is to do this.
6. To develop international Educational and Special Interest Markets.
7. To develop key partnerships within the public and private sectors so that there is a cohesive marketing approach for
the St Patrick Visitor Centre.
8. To develop new experiences including Saint Patrick's Camino as an activity-based guided walk.
9. To develop cafe facilities of excellence whÈch provides income by attracting a local audience and can accommodate
coach and Fly Drive business as well as conference business.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust. and constitutes a limited company, limited by
guarantee, a5 def￿ed by the Companies Act 2006.
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust. and constitutes a limited company, limited by
guarantee, as defffted by the Companies Act 2006.
Saint Patrick Visitor Centre was set up in July 1996 as a company limited by guarantee to..
benefit the people of Downpatrick and the District of Down without distinction of sex, race, political, religious or
other opinion of a Visitor Centre with exhibits and collections, drama and displays in relation to the history of St. Patrick
and the area of benefit.
- provide for the advancement of public education in Downpatrick and the District of Down without distinction of sex,
rac¢, political, religious or other opinion of a Visitor Centre with exhibits and collections."
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Saint Patrick Centre is governed by a Memorandum of Association. Duiing 2022, 7 Trustees served on the Board of
Saint Patrick Centre. New Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The Board provides a range of expertise and skills, including project management, accountancy and plamiing. The
Board have a close working relationship with the Director and in this respect the Board has a good understanding of the
project and is able to exercise appropriate levels of control.
The Board meets monthly apart from during sumrner months. The minutes for each meeting aTe recorded and circulated
prior to the next meeting for agreement. In terms of membership and organisational processes, the Board represents a
wide spectrum of the local community and operate in such a way as lo provide monitoring and support for the Director.

ST PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE LIMITED
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Organisatiomal structure
The company have a Board of Directors who meet monthly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of
the company.
All staff report to the Director who in turn is accountable to the Saint Patrick Centre Board. Given the scale of operation,
these reporting lines are entirely appropriate.
The Director has appropriate delegation rights from the Board, while control is monitored through monthly reports to the
Board including reports on operational and financial status of the project.
Induction and training of neiv trustees
Induction and training of new Trustees
On-going training is provided in-house by either the Director, the Administrative Manager or where necessary from
external providers. In particular:
A substantial induction pack has been prepared for New Trustees. Staff induction packs includes exhibition content.
- Duty Managers include Director, Shop Manager, Front of House Manager and Finance and Administration
Manager
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
N1031122 (Northern Ireland)
Registered Charity number
HMRC XR13983
Registered o￿lee
53a Market Street
Downpatrick
Co. Down
BTJO 6LZ
Trustees
M Crichton Newspaper Editor
E McGrady Chartered Accountant
Ms E ONeill Solicitor
Dr J Harper
V Mac Nabb
BAKing
Fr J Mcmanus
Company Secretary
T Campbell
Auditors
M.B.Mc Grady & Co
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Audltors
Rathmore House
52 St Patricks Avenue
Downpatrick
Co. Down
BT30 6DS

ST PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE LIMITED
Report of the Trustees
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of St Patrick Visitor Centre Limited for the purposes of company law) are
responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the fmancial statements in accordance with applicable law and
United Kingdom Accoutkting Standards (United Klngdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare fmancial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view
of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including
the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those f￿ancEal statements, the
trnstees are required to
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
prepare the fmancial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable
company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the fujancial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the fmancial statements comply with
the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware..
there is no relevant audit infornlation of which the charitable company's auditors are unawaie. and
the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit
information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that inforn)ation.
AUDITORS
The auditors, M.B.Mc Grady & Co. will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on q November 2024 and signed on its behalf by..
Ms E Oyeill - Trustee