Gray Abbey
| Cistercian Abbey Gray | |
|---|---|
 The ruins of the monastery church |
|
| location |
 United Kingdom of Northern Ireland
|
| Coordinates: | 54 ° 32 '9 " N , 5 ° 33' 30" W |
| Serial number according to Janauschek |
505 |
| founding year | 1193 |
| Year of dissolution / annulment |
1541 |
| Mother monastery | Holme Cultram Abbey |
| Primary Abbey | Clairvaux Monastery |
|
Daughter monasteries |
no ? |
Gray Abbey (Iugum Dei; Irish : Mainistir Liath ) is a former Cistercian abbey in Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom . It was in County Down, north of the village of Greyabbey in the Ards and North Down District.
history
The monastery was founded in 1193 by Affreca, daughter of the King of Man and wife of John de Courcy , as the daughter of Holme Cultram Abbey in Cumbria , England , a daughter of Melrose Monastery in Scotland . It thus belonged to the filiation of the Clairvaux Primary Abbey . The monastery was destroyed during the invasion of Edward Bruce (1315-1318). It was disbanded in 1541 and subsequently destroyed. However, the church received a new roof in the 17th century and served as a parish church until 1778. Improper restorations in the 19th century led to further deterioration.
Buildings and plant
Extensive ruins in the Gothic style have been preserved from the monastery, namely the ruins of the abbey church - the west portal is to be emphasized - and some convent buildings from the period up to 1250. The monastery is considered to be the first Gothic building in the province of Ulster .
