# List of monastic houses in County Down

The smaller establishments such as monastic cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptory/commandery.

## Layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

## Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus: :
| * | current monastic function |
| + | current non-monastic ecclesiastic function |
| ^ | current non-ecclesiastic function |
| = | remains incorporated into later structure |
| # | no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains |
| ~ | exact site of monastic foundation unknown |
| ø | possibly no such monastic foundation at location |
| ¤ | no such monastic foundation |
| ≈ | identification ambiguous or confused |
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).
Trusteeship denoted as follows: :
| NIEA | Scheduled Monument (NI) |
| NM | National Monument (ROI) |
| C.I. | Church of Ireland |
| R.C. | Roman Catholic Church |
Download coordinates as:
* KML
* GPX (all coordinates)
* GPX (primary coordinates)
* GPX (secondary coordinates)
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Achad-chail Monastery | | early monastic site, founded by 5th century | | |
| Ardicinise Monastery | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded by Hugh Burgo, local tradition of such a foundation, — evidence lacking; probably Hollywood, v. infra, (Ard-micnascai being the Irish name for Hollywood) | | |
| Ard-mic-nascai Monastery | | early monastic site, founded before 640 by St Laiseran; Holywood Priory (v. infra) built on site | Ard-mac-Croisk; Ard-mic-nascai; Ardnicise? | 54°38′35″N 5°49′52″W﻿ / ﻿54.6431541°N 5.8311098°W﻿ / 54.6431541; -5.8311098﻿ (Ard-mic-nascai Monastery) |
| Bangor Abbey | | Gaelic monks founded 555 or 559 by St Comgall; Augustinian Canons Regular — from Armagh refounded after 1123-4 by St Malachy; destroyed 1127 during local conflicts c.1140, causing the departure of Malachy and many of his disciples, settling at Ibracense; dissolved 1539; assertion of refounding as a Franciscan house is a misinterpretation; site now incorporated into CI church | Beannchor; Bennchor; Vallis Angelorum; White Choir | 54°39′20″N 5°40′29″W﻿ / ﻿54.6556693°N 5.6747936°W﻿ / 54.6556693; -5.6747936﻿ (Bangor Abbey) |
| Bright Monastery | | early monastic site, founded before 540 by St Loarn | Mrechtan; Breatain; Brich; Inreathan | 54°16′33″N 5°40′06″W﻿ / ﻿54.2757772°N 5.6684483°W﻿ / 54.2757772; -5.6684483﻿ (Bright Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Burren | | Dominican Friars — from Newtownards — place of refuge, apparently after the Restoration | An Bhoireann; Boirinn; Ballyburrin | 54°14′36″N 5°57′46″W﻿ / ﻿54.243241°N 5.962724°W﻿ / 54.243241; -5.962724﻿ (Burren (approx.)) (approx) |
| Castleboy Preceptory | | Knights Hospitaller founded 1198 by Hugh de Lacy; dissolved c.1414; leased 1584 to George Alexander | St John-in-Ards; St John-in-Ardee; St Johnston; St Johnstowne; Castle-Buy | 54°16′31″N 5°40′05″W﻿ / ﻿54.275276°N 5.6680192°W﻿ / 54.275276; -5.6680192﻿ (Castleboy Preceptory (approx.)) (approx) |
| Cill-mBian Monastery $^~$ | | early monastic site, possibly located in County Down, founded before 584 by Fergus, Bishop of Down | Nemhan Coelestius Killmain | 54°23′21″N 5°47′17″W﻿ / ﻿54.389128°N 5.788050°W﻿ / 54.389128; -5.788050﻿ (Cill-mBain (approx.)) (approx) |
| Clonduff Monastery | | early monastic site | Cluain daim | 54°11′55″N 6°07′07″W﻿ / ﻿54.19860°N 6.11855°W﻿ / 54.19860; -6.11855﻿ (Clonduff Monastery) |
| Comber Abbey $^#$ | | Cistercian monks — from Whitland founded 25 January 1200 by Brien Catha Dun on the site of earlier monastery (see immediately below); dissolved 1543; granted to James Hamilton, Viscount Clandeboy; assigned to Lord Ardes; site now occupied by St Mary's C.I. church | Comar; Domnach-combair; Comerer; Cumber; Cunbyr | 54°33′01″N 5°44′36″W﻿ / ﻿54.55027°N 5.74340°W﻿ / 54.55027; -5.74340﻿ (Comber Abbey) |
| Comber monastery | | early monastic site, founded by St Patrick | Comar; Domnach-combair; Comerer; Cumber; Cunbyr | 54°33′01″N 5°44′36″W﻿ / ﻿54.55027°N 5.74340°W﻿ / 54.55027; -5.74340﻿ (Comber Abbey) |
| Donaghmore Monastery | | early monastic site, founded mid-5th century by St Mac-Erc | Domnach-mor-maige-cobha | 54°14′38″N 6°13′59″W﻿ / ﻿54.2439085°N 6.2329637°W﻿ / 54.2439085; -6.2329637﻿ (Donnaghmore Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Downpatrick Monastery $^#$ | | early monastic site, traditionally founded 5th century by St Patrick on the dun or ráth on which the CI cathedral now stands | Dun-da-lethglas; Dun-Celtair; Dun | 54°19′40″N 5°43′16″W﻿ / ﻿54.3278839°N 5.7211573°W﻿ / 54.3278839; -5.7211573﻿ (Downpatrick Monastery) |
| Downpatrick Friary $^#$ | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1240 (before 1243) by Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster; burnt 1316; granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1567?; expelled by English protestants 1569; returned 1570; expelled again later; destroyed by the English, church retained as a courthouse; another house built for the convent in the vicinity 1627 (see immediately below) | | |
| Downpatrick Observant Friary $^#$ | | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1627 in the vicinity of the earlier friary (see immediately above); dissolved 1650s | | |
| Downpatrick, St John's Priory | | Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1138 by Malachi O'Morgair; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian adopted after 1140; incorporated in Down Cathedral 1513; dissolved before 1541; granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare | probably St John the Evangelist, though given as St John the Baptist (confusion with Cruciferi priory) ____________________ Monastery of the Irish; Monaster-Grellach | |
| Downpatrick, St Thomas the Martyr's Priory | | Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1183 by John de Courcy, granted by him to the prior and canons of Carlisle; incorporated into Down Cathedral 1513; dissolved before 1541; granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare 1541 | St Thomas the Martyr ____________________ Toberglory | 54°19′19″N 5°42′44″W﻿ / ﻿54.32186°N 5.71219°W﻿ / 54.32186; -5.71219﻿ (Downpatrick, St Thomas the Martyr's Priory (approx.)) (approx) |
| Downpatrick Cruciferi Priory | | Fratres Cruciferi founded before 1200 by John de Courcy; incorporated into Down Cathedral 1513; dissolved before 1541; granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare | St John the Baptist ____________________ The Priory of the English | 54°19′33″N 5°42′38″W﻿ / ﻿54.32585°N 5.71049°W﻿ / 54.32585; -5.71049﻿ (Downpatrick Cruciferi Priory (approx.)) (approx) |
| Downpatrick Priory | | Cistercian or Benedictine nuns convent founded before 1200? purportedly by the Bagnal family; ruinous by 1513; incorporated into Down Cathedral 1513 | The Nunnery of the Blessed Mary | 54°19′36″N 5°42′58″W﻿ / ﻿54.3267°N 5.71622°W﻿ / 54.3267; -5.71622﻿ (Downpatrick Priory (approx.)) (approx) |
| Dromore Friary | | Franciscan Friars founded 1637; dissolved c.1717 | | |
| Dromore Monastery $^+$ | | early monastic site, founded 6th century? (c.513) by St Mocholmog (Colman); episcopal diocesan cathedral 1192?, extant | Druim-mor-mocholmog | 54°24′53″N 6°09′06″W﻿ / ﻿54.4146743°N 6.151705°W﻿ / 54.4146743; -6.151705﻿ (Dromore Cathedral (early monastery)) |
| Drumbo Abbey | | early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick?; plundered by Connor, son of Artgal M'Lochlin 1130 | Druim-bo | 54°31′00″N 5°57′37″W﻿ / ﻿54.5166466°N 5.9601618°W﻿ / 54.5166466; -5.9601618﻿ (Drumbo Abbey) |
| Dundrum Preceptory | | Knights Templar castle purportedly built 1183 by John de Courcy; in their possession until 1313; granted to the prior of Down | | 54°15′43″N 5°50′42″W﻿ / ﻿54.2618692°N 5.8449696°W﻿ / 54.2618692; -5.8449696﻿ (Dundrum Preceptory) |
| Dunsy Island Monastery Killinchy in the lough | | early monastic site, founded by St Duinseach | Oileán Dúinsighe; Ilandushagh | 54°27′24″N 5°37′11″W﻿ / ﻿54.45671°N 5.61968°W﻿ / 54.45671; -5.61968﻿ (Dunsy Island Monastery) |
| Erenagh Abbey | | Savignac monks — from Furness founded 1127 by Niall Mac Dunlevi, King of Ulster; Cistercian monks orders merged 1147-8; destroyed by John de Courcy 1177; transferred to Inch 1177 | Erynagh; Ernes; Urney; Carig; Carrig; Carricke; Templenageerah | 54°17′25″N 5°44′20″W﻿ / ﻿54.290342°N 5.738813°W﻿ / 54.290342; -5.738813﻿ (Erenagh Abbey (approx.)) (approx) |
| Grey Abbey | | Cistercian monks — from Holmcultram founded 25 August 1193 by Africa, wife of John de Courcy; dissolved 1 February 1541; granted to English colonists by Elizabeth I; burnt by Sir Brian O'Neill 1572 to prevent the colonists seeking shelter there; rebuilt and served for a time as a parish church | Jugum Dei; Monaster-Liath; Leigh | 54°32′13″N 5°33′18″W﻿ / ﻿54.5370032°N 5.5549235°W﻿ / 54.5370032; -5.5549235﻿ (Grey Abbey) |
| Holywood Priory | | Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular built on site of Ard-mic-nascai Monastery (v. supra); Holywood (Ard Mhic Nasca in Irish) was named Sanctus Boscus ("Holy Wood") by the Normans after the woodland surrounding the monastery | Ard-mac-Croisk; Ard-mic-nascai; Ardnicise?; de Sacro Bosco ("Holy Wood") | 54°38′35″N 5°49′53″W﻿ / ﻿54.64312°N 5.83126°W﻿ / 54.64312; -5.83126﻿ (Holywood Priory) |
| Inch Abbey | | Cistercian monks — from Furness founded 1180 (or 1188) by John de Courcy, on the site of an earlier monastery (see immediately below), replacing the monastery at Carig (Erenagh) which he destroyed; dissolved 1541 | Iniscourcey; Inis-courcey; Insula Curcii | 54°20′12″N 5°43′45″W﻿ / ﻿54.33663°N 5.72921°W﻿ / 54.33663; -5.72921﻿ (Inch Abbey) |
| Inch Monastery | | early monastic site, foundation and founder unknown; plundered by Sitric and Norsemen 1001; plundered 1149 | Inis-cumbscraigh; Inis; Egnis; | 54°20′12″N 5°43′45″W﻿ / ﻿54.33663°N 5.72921°W﻿ / 54.33663; -5.72921﻿ (Inch Abbey) |
| Kilbroney Monastery | | early monastic site, founded by St Brónach | Brónchi uirginis Bronach uirgo o Glinn Sechis Cill Bronaighe - Bronach's Church Chill Sechis Bronach ógh ó | 54°06′41″N 6°11′03″W﻿ / ﻿54.11137°N 6.18403°W﻿ / 54.11137; -6.18403﻿ (Kilbroney Monastery) |
| Kilclief Monastery | | early monastic site, purportedly founded by St Patrick; plundered and burned 935; annexed to Down see 1034 | Cell-clethi; Cell-cleithe; Kyleleth | 54°20′05″N 5°32′49″W﻿ / ﻿54.33483°N 5.54682°W﻿ / 54.33483; -5.54682﻿ (Kilclief Monastery) |
| Killinchy Monastery Killinchy in the plain | | early monastic site, founded by St Duinseach | Cell-insi; Killiny; Kilwyinchi; Cill Dhuinsí; Ecclesia de Kilwyinchi | 54°28′25″N 5°40′33″W﻿ / ﻿54.47365°N 5.67582°W﻿ / 54.47365; -5.67582﻿ (Killinchy Monastery) |
| Killinchy Monastery Killinchy in the woods | | early monastic site, founded by St Duinseach | Cill Dunsí na Coille; Killinchy Nekelly | 54°24′56″N 5°44′47″W﻿ / ﻿54.41543°N 5.74645°W﻿ / 54.41543; -5.74645﻿ (Killinchy Monastery) |
| Kilmbian Monastery $^~$ | | early monastic site, possibly located in County Down, founded before 584 by Fergus, Bishop of Down | Cell-biain; Cill-m-Bian; Cill-biein; Kil-m-bian | |
| Kiltonga Monastery | | cell, unknown order, foundation or founder; referred to as the chapel of Kilarneid | Killarneid | 54°35′57″N 5°43′10″W﻿ / ﻿54.5991863°N 5.7195146°W﻿ / 54.5991863; -5.7195146﻿ (Kiltonga Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Maghera Monastery | | early monastic site, founded before 567 by St Domangard, Bishop, disciple of St Patrick | Machaire-ratha | 54°14′17″N 5°53′51″W﻿ / ﻿54.2381057°N 5.8974614°W﻿ / 54.2381057; -5.8974614﻿ (Maghera Monastery) |
| Magheralin Monastery | | early monastic site; occupied by remains of 15th-century church | Lann-mocholmoc; | 54°27′59″N 6°15′38″W﻿ / ﻿54.4664921°N 6.2605369°W﻿ / 54.4664921; -6.2605369﻿ (Magheralin Monastery) |
| Moneyscalp Friary | | Dominican Friars — from their place of refuge at Burren, (supra) | Ballymonyskalpie; Muine Scealp | 54°13′41″N 5°58′26″W﻿ / ﻿54.227966°N 5.973925°W﻿ / 54.227966; -5.973925﻿ (Moneyscalp Friary (approx.)) (approx) |
| Movilla Abbey | | early monastic site, founded before 579 by St Finnian of Moville; burnt by Norsemen 825; revived by St Malachy after 1124; Augustinian Canons Regular refounded after 1135?; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian? adopted after 1140; dissolved 1542; site occupied by 13th-15th-century church | Moville; Magbile; Maghbille; Mable; Mainbile; Moybily | 54°35′35″N 5°41′20″W﻿ / ﻿54.593°N 5.689°W﻿ / 54.593; -5.689﻿ (Movilla Abbey) |
| Nendrum Monastery, Mahee Island (Strangford Lough) | | Patrician monks founded 5th century by St Patrick; burned 10th century | Oendruim; Aonagh-urmuman; Oinach-urmuman; Nenddrum; Noindrum; Noendoma; Mahee Island | 54°29′53″N 5°38′53″W﻿ / ﻿54.498°N 5.648°W﻿ / 54.498; -5.648﻿ (Nendrum Monastery / Nendrum Priory) |
| Nendrum Priory | | Benedictine monks cell, dependent on St Bees founded 1179 by John de Courcy, who granted land to St Bees (dependent on St Mary's, York), on site of earlier monastery (see immediately above); confirmed to York 1222; disposed of by Henry de Horton 1288; dissolved before 1298; monks probably resided at Templepatrick 13th century; by 1306 a parish church, abandoned 15th century | Oendruim; Aonagh-urmuman; Oinach-urmuman; Nenddrum; Noindrum; Noendoma; Mahee Island | 54°29′53″N 5°38′53″W﻿ / ﻿54.498°N 5.648°W﻿ / 54.498; -5.648﻿ (Nendrum Monastery / Nendrum Priory) |
| Newry Abbey | | possible foundation of Patrician monks possible Benendictine monks founded before 1148? Cistercian monks — from Mellifont founded 1153 by Maurice MacLaughlin, King of Ireland; confirmation of possessions granted 1538 to become a secular collegiate church; surrendered 10 August 1550; granted to Sir Nicholas Bagnall, Marshall of the Army April 1552; chapel on site until c.1744 and abbot's house apparentlyconverted into a private residence; site was cleared end of 18th century for the construction of the modern town; a stone carved with a cross in low relief incorporated into the walls of McCann's bakery, currently on monastic site | St Benedict ____________________ Ibhar-cinntrachta; Iubhair-cinntrachta; Mainister-iubhair; Monaster-de-viride-ligno; Viride Lignum; Nivory; Nyvery | 54°10′25″N 6°20′17″W﻿ / ﻿54.1735518°N 6.3381889°W﻿ / 54.1735518; -6.3381889﻿ (Newry Abbey) |
| Newry — St Catherine's Priory * | | Dominican Friars extant | | |
| Newry Carmelite Monastery | | Carmelite nuns | | 54°12′21″N 6°16′24″W﻿ / ﻿54.205696°N 6.273299°W﻿ / 54.205696; -6.273299﻿ (Newry Carmelite Monastery) |
| Newtownards Priory | | Dominican Friars founded 1244, purportedly by the Savage family or William de Burgo — evidence lacking for either; dissolved February 1541, surrendered by the prior, Patrick O'Doran; granted to Sir Thomas Smith by Elizabeth I; burned by O'Neill of Clandeboye 1572 to prevent use as a fort by the English; reroofed by Lord Montgomery for use by Protestants | St Colmcille ____________________ Baile-nua-na-airde; Baile-nudh-airde; Villanova; Newton | 54°35′28″N 5°41′32″W﻿ / ﻿54.591088°N 5.692157°W﻿ / 54.591088; -5.692157﻿ (Newtownards Priory) |
| Portaferry Monastery $^#$ Derry Churches | | site thought to be now occupied by two small churches; patron St. Cummain, Virgin, of Dál mBuinne, and of Derry, Parish of Ballyphillip | | 54°23′40″N 5°31′06″W﻿ / ﻿54.39433°N 5.51841°W﻿ / 54.39433; -5.51841﻿ (Portaferry Monastery) |
| Raholp Monastery | | early monastic site, founded purportedly by St Patrick | Raith-colpthai; Cell-colptha; Kilcholpa | 54°21′16″N 5°38′09″W﻿ / ﻿54.3543717°N 5.6357108°W﻿ / 54.3543717; -5.6357108﻿ (Raholp Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Rathmullan Camera? | | Knights Hospitaller possible camera or frankhouse, hospital or hospice, limb of Castleboys | Rath-mullin; Rath-molyn; Ecclesia de Rathmolyn | 54°15′59″N 5°44′05″W﻿ / ﻿54.266471°N 5.734604°W﻿ / 54.266471; -5.734604﻿ (Rathmullan) |
| Saul Monastery | | According to tradition in 432 the local chieftain Dichu gave St Patrick land. On this land was built a barn: thus Saul became the site of St Patrick's first church. | Sabhull Padraig; Sepulturam Patricii; Baile itá Saball; an Sabhall | 54°20′37″N 5°40′47″W﻿ / ﻿54.34360°N 5.67960°W﻿ / 54.34360; -5.67960﻿ (Saul Monastery) |
| St Andrews in Ards Priory | | Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on Stogursey, Somerset and Lonlay Abbey, France; founded after 1183 by John de Courcy; became denizen:independent from 1356; dissolved c.1543?; granted by James I, to the Protestant Bishop of Armagh | Black Abbey; Blackabbey; Mainister Dubh | 54°31′27″N 5°31′25″W﻿ / ﻿54.5241836°N 5.5235449°W﻿ / 54.5241836; -5.5235449﻿ (St Andrews in Ards Priory (approx.)) (approx) |
| St Donard Oratory | | early monastic cell/oratory, founded c.506, by Domangart, son of Echaid | Sliab-domhanghairt; Sliab-domhanghairt-slange; Salanga | 54°10′49″N 5°55′15″W﻿ / ﻿54.180238°N 5.920898°W﻿ / 54.180238; -5.920898﻿ (St Donard Oratory (approx.)) (approx) |
| Stokes Priory | duplication of St Andrews in Ards, supra | duplication of St Andrews in Ards, supra | duplication of St Andrews in Ards, supra | duplication of St Andrews in Ards, supra |
| Tamlacht-meenan Monastery | | early monastic site, founded before 627 | Tamlachta Umhail | 54°18′16″N 6°18′19″W﻿ / ﻿54.30438°N 6.30520°W﻿ / 54.30438; -6.30520﻿ (Tamlacht-meenan Monastery (approx.)) (approx) |
| Tullyhoa Abbey $^ø$ | | order, foundation and founder unknown; ruins purported to be the remains of an abbey | | |
| Tullylish Monastery $^#$ | | early monastic site, founded by St Bearnasga of Tulach-lis; mistakenly identified as Tyllylease (County Cork); remains excavated in the vicinity of the ruined parochial church (abandoned 1861, replaced by new church built to the west) | Telach-liss | 54°22′29″N 6°20′06″W﻿ / ﻿54.3745983°N 6.335044°W﻿ / 54.3745983; -6.335044﻿ (Tullylish Monastery) |

## Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

| Click on a county to go to the corresponding article | Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow |