Grey Abbey in Newtownards, County Down - Northern Ireland. Greyabbey Estate-Monastery of Greyabbey

Greyabbey is 7 miles outside of Newtownards and this small town contains an amazing example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Northern Ireland. Just on the entry to the town - the imposing Abbey is nestled in beside the current church.
It is in small grounds - but a beautiful area to walk through and explore. It was found in 1193 by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman invader of East Ulster. So loads of history here and in the town itself. So add Greyabbey to your list of stops when in the Newtownards / County Down area.
The Greyabbey in Newtownards has always been considered a touristic place that people tend to visit for the abbey itself, although there is a town built in the same area and which has been given the same name "Greyabbey'. The abbey is also located beside some old graveyard that is found in this old town; so you will be visiting the abbey and at the same time having a look at those old graves which some of them are covered with some grass at this point.
This building that people come to check in Greyabbey town is considered the oldest Gothic style building to be found in all of Ulster, making it a must for those who will be in county Down or near to visit it and see it in reality.
There is a long history carried behind this abbey; this abbey was actually re-roofed in the 17th century and was used as a parish church until 1778. The Monastery of Greyabbey was also destoryed in the Elizabethian Era (1572) by Brian O'Neill in order to stop the English colonists from settling in this area.
The features that define this place now - or the things which you will witness when you get the chance to visit it - include the church with cloister and surrounding buildings to the south and the entrance is through and elaborate west door into an aisleless nave, it transepts through two chapels in each and a short chancel with tall lancet windows. Those buildings which are found around the cloister include an aisled chapter house and a refectory with reader's pulpit, although the west range and the walks have disappeared.
One of the interesting things about these different features that are related to the place is the tomb that is found to the north wall of the choir and which people believe might be related to Affreca as well as the armored knight figure in the north transept which is believed is representing John de Courcy.
The whole place is mainly about the ruins which are there but it is still considered a hit for those who love the idea of tracing back history and getting the chance to know more about what this building is all about and what it tells. Greyabbey town or village is another place which you could check some attractions at, such as the different antique shops which are found in the village, the Georgian and Victorian buildings which are found there, and also Mount Stewart which is located close to the village and is also considered part of Newtownards in county Down ( • Mount Stewart County D... ).
There are different places which one could get the chance to visit in Newtownards in addition to Greyabbey and Mount Stewart, from those which we have managed to visit, we went to the Scrabo Tower which is one of our favorites and a place we will keep recommending for those who will be visiting county Down ( • Scrabo Tower Newtownar... ). In addition to Scrabo Tower, we have also managed to go to Kiltonga Nature Reserve which is also located in Newtownards ( • 360 Degree Video of Ki... ) and of course there is Mount Stewart House and Gardens ( • Mount Stewart House an... ) which we have already referred to before.
This best example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture was dissolved in 1541 after becoming poor and decayed in the late middle ages but in the early 17th century was granted to Sir Hugh Montgomery and thus the nave was refurbished until the late 18th century.
There are different beautiful places all around Northern Ireland which one could consider visiting and in this case, those are the ones which we have managed to visit in Newtownabbey. There are also other things which you could check in county Down in general, such as going to Portaferry which is the entrance of Strangford Lough on Ards Peninsula ( • Portaferry - Entrance ... ), you could also visit Rostrevor in county Down ( • ROSTREVOR COUNTY DOWN;... ), tend to make a trip to Donaghadee ( • Donaghadee - County Do... ), or else make a trip to Newcastle ( • Newcastle County Down ... ).
Greyabbey along with the village is a nice place to visit and know more about its history; you will feel how the old days have left lots of stories to tell us about and inform us with.
Grey Abbey in Newtownards, County Down - Northern Ireland. Greyabbey Estate-Monastery of Greyabbey

[@gaggymott9159]

I live in Newtownards, and have never ever been to Grey Abbey (as opposed to Greyabbey.' I really MUST get down the road, for a juke! ❤❤👏👏😔

[@ConnollyCove]

We would definitely recommend checking it out :)

[@Tracks777]

Nice video man!

[@ConnollyCove]

Thank you :-) hope all is well!

[@donnamccormick614]

Hi

[@dinashjpjavanpura3996]

dinash gotam