Tynan Abbey facts for kids

Tynan Abbey was a large, beautiful country house in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was built around 1750 and later updated in 1815. This grand home was located near the village of Tynan. For many years, it was the home of the Stronge family. Sadly, in 1981, the house was set on fire after Sir Norman Stronge and his son, Sir James Stronge, were killed. The ruins of Tynan Abbey were taken down in 1998, after standing for 249 years.

The Story of Tynan Abbey

Before Tynan Abbey, there was another house on this spot called Fairview. This house was owned by the Manson family. The Stronge family gained ownership when Dr. John Stronge married Elinor Manson. At that time, Fairview was described as a "very pretty house." It had two floors, good rooms, a nice living area, a kitchen, and storage spaces. There was also a stable, barn, and a lovely garden and orchard. The library, where the last of the Stronges were killed, was thought to be part of this original house.

This area had a unique past. In the 1640s, a local leader named Robert Maxwell claimed that many Protestants were killed there during a rebellion. Historians now believe the real number was much smaller. This exaggerated number was later used by Oliver Cromwell as a reason to invade Ireland during the English Civil War.

The building of Tynan Abbey, which was once Fairview, happened while the Stronges owned it. In 1816, Mrs. Calvert, whose daughter married Sir James Stronge, described the house as "very ugly" while it was being built. She noted that many rooms were unfinished, some even without windows. The staircase also lacked railings. However, by 1822, Mrs. Calvert thought Tynan Abbey was "very pretty."

By 1838, an artist named George Petrie called it a "fine example of bad gothic architecture." But in 1855, Sir Bernard Burke said it had a "picturesque appearance." One hundred years later, people still thought about Tynan Abbey's look. Richard Hayward wondered about its "questionable architectural style," but felt it had improved with age.

Tynan Abbey had a unique octagonal stone tower and a square turret. These looked like parts of a chapel, but they actually held the water tanks for the house. The house was surrounded by a huge estate, which was once over 8,000 acres. This included park-land and a lake. Even though there are many Celtic crosses on the land, it seems there was never a real abbey nearby.

Using Tynan Abbey During Wartime

In 1923, a part of Tynan Abbey was used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). They stayed there for free to help protect the area. During the Second World War, British, Belgian, and American soldiers also used the house. They left behind some Nissen huts, which are simple, curved buildings.

Later Years and Destruction

At the time of Sir Norman Stronge's death, The Irish Times newspaper reported that the Stronges were seen as the main local family. They still lived in their huge house, even though Sir Norman and his son only used a few rooms. They had a housekeeper and a land manager.

On January 21, 1981, 86-year-old Sir Norman Stronge, who used to lead the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, and his 48-year-old son, James, were killed. Both had been Members of Parliament. Members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army forced their way into the house by blowing open the front doors. Sir Norman and James were in the main library when this happened. After they were killed, the house was set on fire. The fire burned until the next morning, destroying everything inside and leaving the building as a roofless ruin. The bodies of Sir Norman and James were later found in the wreckage.

A politician named Austin Currie described Sir Norman Stronge as "incomparably more of a man than the cowardly dregs of humanity who ended his life in this barbaric way."

What Happened Next

In 1995, a government branch noted that permission to partly demolish the house had been given in 1983. However, they wanted the ruins to remain listed as a historic site. They felt it still had a lot of historical and architectural importance. In 1998, before the ruins of Tynan Abbey were completely taken down, a man was hurt in an explosion there.

The thousands of acres of land stayed with the family of Sir Norman's oldest daughter, Mrs. Daphne Marian Kingan. Daphne Kingan passed away in 2002. Her son, James Anthony John Kingan, and his wife, Kate, then inherited the land. They have three children: Charlotte, Esme, and Edward.

Tynan Abbey was fully demolished in 1998 because the ruined structure was unsafe. All that is left today is the arch of the front door. In September 2007, a walking festival called The Three Estates Walking Festival was held on the Tynan estate, as well as on lands at Caledon and Castle Leslie.