Bangor Abbey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Bangor Abbey
Monastery information
Mainistir Bheannchair
Model of Bangor Abbey in AD 688
Location in County Down Show map of County Down Location in island of Ireland Show map of island of Ireland
Other names	Bennchor; Vallis Angelorum; White Choir
Order	Celtic monasticism Augustinian Canons Regular
Denomination	Catholic
Established	AD 552–559
Disestablished	1539
Reestablished	c. 1123–24
Mother house	Armagh Abbey (as an Augustinian monastery)
Diocese	Down
People
Founder(s)	Comgall
Architecture
Functional Status	Buildings incorporated into Church of Ireland church
Heritage designation	Grade B+ listed building
Style	Celtic monastic
Site
Location	Bangor, County Down
Country	Northern Ireland
Coordinates	54°39′22″N 5°40′30″W / 54.656°N 5.675°W / 54.656; -5.675
Public access	yes

Bangor Abbey and graveyard

Bangor Abbey was a very important monastery founded by Saint Comgall around 558 AD. It is located in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. This abbey was famous for its great learning and strict rules. It is not the same as the older abbey near Bangor Cathedral in Wales.

History of Bangor Abbey
Antiphonary of Bangor
Gallery
See also

History of Bangor Abbey

How Bangor Abbey Started

Saint Comgall started the monastery at Bangor around 558 AD. It was built in County Down, on the southern shore of Belfast Lough. Old records show slightly different founding dates, but 558 AD is the most common. The name "Bangor" was sometimes written as "Beannchor." People also called the place the "Vale of Angels." This was because a legend says St. Patrick once saw angels filling the valley there.

Comgall was born in Antrim in 517. He studied at Clooneenagh and Clonmacnoise. Many people in Ireland at that time wanted to live a quiet life to serve God. Comgall first went to a lonely island. But his friends convinced him to leave, and he later founded Bangor Abbey.

The rules at Bangor Abbey were very strict. Monks prayed and fasted all the time. Their food was simple and not much. Worship was the most important part of their daily life. Music was also a big part of their worship. Many people came to join the monks in their prayers and studies.

Bangor Abbey as a School

Bangor Abbey was one of the most important early Irish monasteries. Only Armagh was considered more important. Inside its large walls, students learned many subjects. These included scripture, theology, logic, geometry, arithmetic, music, and classic texts.

Mo Sinu moccu Min was the fifth abbot of Bangor. It is believed he taught Columbanus, a very famous monk. A historian named Robin Flower said that Bangor paid special attention to history. He thought the first Irish history book was probably written there.

Bangor was a major learning center. It was even called the "Light of the World." Many missionaries, who spread Christianity, were trained there. Carthach and Fintan of Doon studied at Bangor. Saint Mirin was a leader at Bangor before he left to start Paisley Abbey in Scotland. Columbanus and Gall traveled to Europe in 590 AD. They founded famous monasteries like Luxiell in France and St Gallen in Switzerland.

When Bangor Abbey Declined

The ruined Bangor Sundial (c. 900), now on display outside the town hall

Like many old Irish monasteries, Bangor was attacked and rebuilt many times. Records show that Bangor was burned in 616 and again in 755. At that time, the buildings were likely made of wood.

Because it was easy to reach from the sea, Bangor was often attacked. Between 822 and 824, the Norsemen (Vikings) raided it. Old records say that during this raid, "learned men and bishops" were killed. The special box holding Comgall's relics was also taken. Another person likely killed by the Vikings was Tanaidhe MacUidhir in 958. Most historians agree that Bangor's importance lessened around the late 900s.

In 1121, St. Malachy became the Abbot of Bangor. He had to rebuild everything. But three years later, he became the Bishop of Down. Bangor then fell into disrepair again.

Later, in 1469, the Franciscans took over the abbey. A century later, the Augustinians had it. Then, when monasteries were closed down in Ireland, King James I gave Bangor Abbey to Sir James Hamilton. He fixed the church in 1617. Stone from the old abbey was used to build the new church. Today, all that is left of the original abbey is St. Malachy's Wall.

The current church tower dates back to the 14th century. Inside the church, there is a painting of Christ going to heaven. Saints Comgall, Gall, and Columbanus are shown at his feet.

Antiphonary of Bangor

The Antiphonary of Bangor is a very old book. It was probably written by the monks of Bangor Abbey between 602 and 691. For over 1000 years, it was kept in Bobbio, Italy.

This book contains a collection of Latin hymns, prayers, and songs. It is one of the oldest surviving books from an Irish monastery. It shows how important the early Irish church was. The book also gives us a good idea of what monastic life was like in Ireland. It proves how skilled and artistic the monks of Bangor were in the seventh century.

Today, none of the original buildings from Comgall's monastery remain. However, in a private chapel at Clandeboye, you can see a piece of a Cross built into a wall. This piece was found near the abbey. It is a fragment of a Celtic High Cross, which might have stood on "the Cross Hill" near Bangor Castle. This fragment is probably from around the 8th century.