Newry Cistercian Monastery artefacts

The Feast of St. Patrick inevitably brings to mind the name of the city of Newry, in Irish Iubhair Cinn Tragh, which derives from the tradition that St. Patrick planted a yew tree at the head of the strand above the Clanrye River. This is not recorded in any early source and only appears in 1162 when the Annals of the Four Masters report that the Cistercian monastery at Newry was destroyed by fire along with ‘the yew tree which Patrick himself planted.’ 

However, the annals were recording a tradition which had been embedded in the area for some time and the site may have been a place of pilgrimage before the 12^th century. The tradition was strong enough for the monastery, which was founded in 1153, to be dedicated to St. Patrick as well as being dedicated to St. Mary and St. Benedict which were the more prevalent Cistercian dedications.

The dedications of the medieval monastery reflect the history of the site and this is further amplified in artefacts from the monastery which are on display in Newry and Mourne Museum. The earliest artefact from the monastery is a grave slab inscribed with a Latin cross and dating from the 12^th century. Such a stone would have marked the grave of a dignitary or an important ecclesiastic. It is too ornate to be associated with the Cistercians and may have come from an earlier monastic foundation. This may add credence to the tradition that a Benedictine foundation preceded the Cistercian abbey. Several other abbeys in Ireland were also Benedictine before being re-founded as Cistercian communities. 

In more recent times, this stone was located in the external wall of a shop on Castle Street in Newry. It was known locally as the Promise Stone at which deals were struck on market days. When the shop was demolished in the mid-20^th century, the stone was moved to its current location in the former premises of the McCann’s Bakery where it remains as one of the displays in Newry and Mourne Museum.

Another artefact from the Cistercian monastery preserved in the walls of Bagenal’s Castle is a section of 13^th century roll moulding. Originally part of a pillar, doorway or window, and now out of situ, the section of moulding seems to have either been re-used during the building of the Castle or during refurbishment of the building at some point in its history. The moulding illustrates the style of architecture of the abbey in the 13^th century and the standard of patronage exercised by the Cistercian community.

Patronage is also reflected in a stone carved with the head of a high-status lady and heraldic animal. This is stone was probably one of a pair used as’ label stops’ on a hood moulding above a window or doorway. Similar stones can still be seen in situ on a window in the east church at Killeavy, near Newry. 

The stone dates from the 15^th century and may be from a rebuilding when at least part of the abbey was destroyed by fire shortly before January 1454. Little is known of the lady depicted; she may have been a member of the local nobility who had provided funds for the reconstruction of the abbey after the fire. The stone suggests that the abbey community was investing significantly in building works at this time.

When placed in context these three artefacts provide a brief insight into the history and development of the monastic establishment in Newry. They are also part of the tradition of the association of St. Patrick with the foundation of Newry and the area’s subsequent Christian heritage.

The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422. 

Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.

You can visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk