About
EHOD 14 & 15 September
Come and walk in the footsteps of the Monks of Grey Abbey this European Open Heritage Weekend. Be immersed in the history of this wonderful old site and its leafy surroundings.
Meet the local volunteers from 'Friends of The Abbey' as they share the history of these walls and ruins, wander the Physic Garden learning from them about the herbs and remedies that the Monks would have used to cure their ailments and spend time in the little Visitor Centre imagining what the Abbey was like when Affreca dedicated it for service.
Perhaps you will be lucky enough to meet Brother Eric on Saturday, who will captivate you with tales of a time long forgotten and secrets never told. He may even gift you a magic shell from Strangford Lough that he collected that morning when checking the fish traps.
Opening Times
Saturday 14 September Site open all day, Volunteers 12pm - 5pm, guided tours 1pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm (Brother Eric onsite Saturday only)
Sunday 15 September Site open all day, Volunteers 12pm - 5pm
Admission Free, donations welcome.
Find out more about the Abbey
Along with Inch Abbey, Greyabbey is the best example of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Ulster and was the daughter house of Holm Cultram (Cumbria).
It was founded in 1193 by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman invader of East Ulster. Poor and decayed in the late Middle Ages, the abbey was dissolved in 1541 but in the early 17th century was granted to Sir Hugh Montgomery and the nave was refurbished for parish worship until the late 18th century.
The remains, in the beautiful parkland setting of the nearby grand house of Rosemount, consist of the church with cloister and surrounding buildings to the south.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| EHOD | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
