‘The Abbacy’, 1A Abbacy Road, Ardquin, Portaferry, Co Down, BT22 1PG

The remains of a large early 17th century manor house, known as ‘The Abbacy’, stand on a slight rise to the east of Abbacy Road, approximately three miles north of Portaferry. The manor house was built by Bishop Echlin. Much of the original plan is still discernible, consisting of two gabled structures originally arranged in a ‘T’ shape, though whether they were joined is unclear. A two-story red brick house and associated farm buildings now occupy the space between the gables. According to the 1966 Archaeological Survey of County Down, a smaller wing previously adjoined the south gable, but this has since disappeared. Surviving features include window openings and recesses in the gables, possibly for nesting birds. The site's name suggests a possible medieval abbey existed nearby, perhaps connected to an earlier Bishop’s residence, evidenced by grants of land dating back to the early 1200s. A medieval church and graveyard were located near the current Ardquin church, adjacent to the Abbacy ruins. The 1834 Ordnance Survey map labelled the site as ‘ruins of old abbey and graveyard.’ While an earlier Bishop’s manor may have existed on or near the site, the present ruin dates to the early 17th century and was apparently destroyed by Cromwell’s troops around 1650. Today, the ruin is flanked by two red brick houses built around 1910 and farm buildings.