Nendrum
Early Christian Monastic Site
Nendrum Monastery is situated on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough approached along narrow, twisting manes and causeways signposted off the A22 immediately South of Comber.
Nendrum was an island monastery, traditionally founded in the 5th Century by St. Machaoi. A small Benedictine cell was founded here in the late 12th Century. It was a parish church in 1306, but abandoned during the 15th Century for Tullynakill Church which you can also visit.
Nendrum is one of the best examples of an Early Christian Irish Monastery to understand because of the early use of stone and the extensive excavations carried out in the 1920's and more recently. Within three concentric dry-stoned walled enclosures the central enclosure has a church ruin with a sun-dial, remains of a round tower and graveyard. The middle enclosure contains remains of huts and workshops and the outer enclosure, fields. Recent work on the shore has discovered a pier and a tidal mill.
Facilities:
- Car Park
- Toilets
- Audio-Visual Room
- Exhibition
- Monastery Model
- Guided Tours on Request
Access: The monument is open at all times. Please note that the road is unsuitable for large coaches. The visitor centre opens and tours available at the following times.
| October - March (Open on a Saturday and Sunday only) | |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 10am - 4pm |
| Sunday | 2pm - 4pm |
| April - September (Closed on Mondays) | |
| Tuesday - Saturday | 10am - 7pm |
| Sunday | 2pm - 7pm |
Admission: Free
(Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult)
Customer Contact: (028) 9181 1491
Contact:
Environment and Heritage ServiceCommonwealth House
35 Castle Street
Belfast
BT1 1GU
Tel: (028) 9054 6754
Fax: (028) 9054 6516
Email: ehsinfo@doeni.gov.uk
Website: www.ehsni.gov.uk
