British Sign Language tour of Grey Abbey

British Sign Language tour of Grey Abbey

Join the Historic Environment Division for an engaging and informative tour of Grey Abbey, with interpretation in British Sign Language.

Grey Abbey, a well-preserved Cistercian monastery founded in 1193, stands on the eastern shore of Strangford Lough.

Established by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy, the abbey becomes an important religious centre linked to the Anglo-Norman presence in Ulster. Its architecture reflects the simplicity and elegance of the Cistercian order, with a focus on light, proportion, and craftsmanship.

The abbey’s church remains one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture in Ireland, and many of its original features are still visible today. The surrounding landscape includes herb gardens that reflect the monastic use of plants for food, medicine, and daily life.

Today, Grey Abbey offers visitors a unique insight into monastic life in medieval Ireland and stands as one of the best-preserved examples of its kind.

Practical information

General public (All Ages Welcome)

Duration: 1 hour

Free admission

Parking is available

Enquiries: scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk