Places to go > County Down > Grey Abbey < Abbeys < Things to do

Abbeys & Monasteries: Devenish Monastic Site, N. Ireland Dungiven Priory, N. Ireland Glastonbury Abbey, England Grey Abbey, N. Ireland Inch Abbey, N. Ireland Llanthony Priory, Wales Nendrum Monastic Site, N. Ireland Strata Florida Abbey, Wales Tintern Abbey, Wales Valle Crucis Abbey, Wales ................................................. _________________________________

County Down attractions: Castle Ward Down Cathedral Down County Museum Dundrum Castle Exploris Aquarium Giant's Ring Grey Abbey Inch Abbey Legananny Dolmen Mount Stewart House & Gardens Nendrum Monastic Site North Down Heritage Centre Ulster Folk & Transport Museum ................................................. _________________________________

Grey Abbey Greyabbey, Co. Down, N. Ireland, UK. Tel. +44 (0) 28 9054 6552

Surrounded by beautiful parkland, Grey Abbey is located on the edge of the village of the same name on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down.

The abbey was founded in 1193 by Affreca, the daughter of Godred, King of Man, and the wife of the Norman conqueror John de Courcy (who founded Inch Abbey near Downpatrick), and colonised by monks from Holm Cultram Abbey in Cumbria. It is one of the best preserved Cistercian sites in Ireland, and is significant for its early Gothic features. Most architecture at the time was Romanesque in style, yet Grey Abbey is notable for the splendour of its pointed arches and doors. The abbey was burnt in the 16th century, but restored by Hugh Montgomery in the early 1600's, and it continued to be used up until 1778.

The fine west doorway and the high lancet windows of the south wall of the refectory are particularly impressive, and remains of a pulpit can be seen in the west wall. The surrounding landscaped parkland is part of the 18th century privately owned Rosemount House. The tranquil setting also contains an old cemetery, and nearby are a stream and a recreated medieval herb garden, filled with a variety of medicinal plants. There is also a small visitor centre, which gives a history of the abbey and Cistercian life.

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Abbeys, Monsteries and remains in our Monastery section:

Devenish Monastic site
Dungiven Priory
Glastonbury Abbey
Grey Abbey
Inch Abbey
Llanthony Priory
Nendrum Monastic site
Strata Florida Abbey
Tintern Abbey
Vale Crucis Abbey

Other Northern Ireland travel related links:

Northern Ireland hotel
Northern Ireland tour
Northern Ireland cottage
Northern Ireland hostel