Visit 5th Century Monastic Ruins in County Down

Nendrum Monastery was a Christian monastery on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, County Down. Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has links to St Patrick in later sources. The monastery consists of 3 round dry stone walled enclosures, one within the other. There is evidence of industrial works in the outer enclosure; a central enclosure with a church ruin and sundial, the remains of a round tower and a graveyard. The middle enclosure has the remains of huts and workshops. It is thought to be the best example of a pre-Norman monastic site in Northern Ireland.

The principal monastic remains which can now be seen are three concentric cashels (enclosures) of dry stone walling, but these were substantially rebuilt by Lawlor in the 1920s. The central cashel has the round tower remains, a ruined church with a sun-dial, and a graveyard. The second cashel contains what is called a ‘monastic school’ or workshop and other burials. A cottage was built on the island in the early 20th century and is now used as a visitor centre.

The site is absolutely free to visit!