European Heritage Open Day – 🏰 Greyabbey, County Down

Travel back over 800 years at one of Ulster’s best-preserved medieval abbeys. Explore the ruins, enjoy family-friendly activities and join guided tours through this remarkable historic site.

When: Sat 12th & Sun 13th Sept
Where: Greyabbey
Cost: FREE
Time: Sat 1.15pm, Sun 1.30pm

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..

Tours with Friends of the Abbey on Saturday at 13:15 and Sunday at 13:30

www.https://discovernorthernireland.com/event/grey-abbey-ehod-2026