Nendrum Monastery, Comber, United Kingdom

Nendrum Monastery may have been founded in the 5th century, but this is uncertain. The monastery came to an end at some time between 974 and 1178, but its church served a parish until the site was abandoned in the 15th century. Some remains of the monastery can still be seen.

Dendrochronology has dated a tide mill on the island to the year 619, making this the oldest excavated tide mill anywhere in the world. The monastic site included orchards, gardens, pastures, arable fields, and a guest-house.

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.

The canonical sundial now seen at one corner of the ruined church was reconstructed from fragments found during the excavation of the site in 1924 and has been dated to about the year 900. One of only a few early medieval sun-dials known to exist, it takes the form of a vertical stone pillar, 190 cm high, 40 cm wide and 15 cm thick, with the dial and gnomon on one face at the top. However, because of the nature of the reconstruction, the original height of the pillar is conjectural.

User Reviews

Gary Neill (6 months ago)
Nendrum monastery 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. Nendrum tidal mill location is within view of the monastery. You can also see Scrabo tower in the distance.

Stephen (6 months ago)
Perfect place to see the lough and get away from all the noise. At the end of a long country road which nice drive in itself.

Lisa Mulholland (7 months ago)
A beautiful place to visit anytime of the day or night beautiful dark skies area and great for long exposure photography. This is my peaceful place somewhere I go when I need to take a beat. Steeped in so much history Medieval records say it was founded in the 5th century, it is thought it came to an end around 1100 AD but its church served a parish until the site until the 15th century. Some remains of the monastery can still be seen. The rectangular building yielded about 30 slate tablets bearing Celtic designs. These pieces' are now in the Ulster Museum along with a bell and a stone with an inscription in runes also from the site.Parts of the nendrum have been excavated multiple times over the last century. Nendrum is on Mahee Island just outside of comber County Down, there is a castle a few hundred yards away from the monastery and definitely worth visiting. The site is blessed to be in such a position sun rise sunset clear starry nights you will not regret it.

Elizabeth Baker (7 months ago)
This is an amazing site to find in such a remote place! There is an information centre but this was closed and there wasn't any details displayed outside about opening hours. Luckily there are several information panels dotted around the site providing more details about that part. I have visited many religious/monastic sites and this was is quite unique and usual hillside site that reminded me of a hillfort. The site is free to visit and there is a castle ruin within a short walking distance to make it worth the beautiful and scenic drive here. Good views too of the tidal mill, dating from the 600s.

Krush Things (10 months ago)
An amazing place to visit with friends and family to explore the history

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