Greyabbey

History

The village (and townland) derives its name from the Grey Abbey, a Cistercian abbey-monastery located on the eastern side of the village, dating from 1193. It was founded by Affreca, daughter of Godred Olafsson, King of the Isles, and wife of John de Courcy, Anglo-Norman conqueror of part of the province of Ulster. Tradition says that Affreca founded the abbey in thanksgiving for a safe landing after a perilous journey at sea. The abbey was colonised with monks from Holmcultram in Cumberland, with which it maintained close ties in the early years. The construction of the stone church began almost immediately. In 1222, and again in 1237, abbots of Grey Abbey went on to become abbots of Holmcultram. The Latin name of the abbey is Iugum Dei, which means "Yoke of God". Little is known of the abbey's history, although it appears to have been almost completely destroyed during the invasion of Edward Bruce (1315–18). No reliable sources concerning the value of the abbey foundation survive, but it is not likely to have been prosperous. The abbey was dissolved in 1541. In the same year, part of the monastic property was granted to the 11th Earl of Kildare. The monastery was physically destroyed during the military operations of the Elizabethan era. In 1572, Bryan O'Neill burnt Grey Abbey to stop it being used as a refuge for English colonists trying to settle in the Ards Peninsula. During the 17th century, the church nave was re-roofed and served as a parish church until 1778. In the late 19th century, repairs were executed by The Office of Public Works (The O.P.W.). Unfortunately, an excessive amount of concrete was used, the crudity of which is still obvious today. The remains of the abbey include the abbey church and some of the conventual buildings, dating from c.1193…