Old Priory - Newtownards

I spent a very enjoyable hour at the Old Priory, Newtownards back in September 2009 - during the European Heritage Open Day. It is a very impressive building and an important landmark within the town of Newtownards. The weather that Saturday was warm and sunny, which added to the pleasure of the visit and I managed to take this snap of the building and its immediate surroundings - Here is a snippet about the building

Anglicans worshipped in The Old Priory in Castle Street built by Sir Robert Colvill in 1632 on the ruin of the Dominican Priory. The tower is the only remains of a Dominican Friary founded in 13th century and burned in 1572. Services were then held in a small chapel at the east end of the church. The steeple was finished in 1636 and a large bell place there by Lord Viscount Montgomery. The entrance arch has the names of many Montgomerys carved and a large tomb of the Colville family stands in the aisle. In 1764 there were only 60 Anglicans in the town, but it got badly into disrepair by end of 17th century. The walls were repaired in 1836, but refurbished as a church & consecrated 27 Jan 1860. Its dimensions are 63 by 46 feet. The rector 1789- 1809 was Rev John Cleland followed by Rev Mark Cassidy. The church was used until St. Marks was built in 1817.It then served as a court house.

There is no graveyard, burials at Movilla Abbey, the building is now in the care of Department of the Environment Historic Monuments.

There is a lot more info from a very well read local historian, Mark Thompson here:- http://clydesburn.blogspot.com/2009/02/newtownards-priory-one-of-great-ulster.html

HMA