Nendrum Monastery

The island monastery of Nendrum was traditionally founded in the 5th century by Mochaoi, after whom Mahee Island is named, although a later date for the foundation has been suggested. Mo Chaoi, like the name of many Irish saints, is a pet name. His proper name was Caolán (Mochaoi) and according to tradition he was appointed by St. Patrick. 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. In his Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and Dromore, William Reeves notes that several annals record the death of St…

The principal monastic remains which can now be seen are three concentric (enclosures) of dry stone walling, but these were substantially rebuilt by Lawlor in the 1920s. The central has the round tower remains, a ruined church with a sun-dial, and a graveyard. The second contains what is called a 'monastic school' or workshop and other burials. One of only a few early medieval sun-dials known to exist,

Mahee Island is within Strangford Lough, a body of water which has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The island is approached by narrow roads and causeways leading from the A22 road south of Comber, which is the road to Downpatrick. A cottage was built on the island in the early 20th century and is now used as a visitor centre.