Antiquities. 



271 



Of Celtic foundations, that possessing one of the longest 

 histories is, perhaps, in Nendrum, or Mahee island in Strang- 

 ford Lough, fully recorded by the late Bishop Reeves. Only 

 a few foundations and the base of a round tower now exist. 

 Movilla, near Newtownards, was also a celebrated school 

 of learning in the earliest ages. Several cross slabs still 

 remain here, and a more recent church; but the great abbey 



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THH CLOIC-IHAC (ROUND TOWER) ON INIS-MAHEE. 19O2. 

 Drawn by yoseph Catey. 



of Bangor, on account of its school of learning and the 

 many pious men it sent over all Europe, is best known. 

 Of it, none of the very ancient structure remains, and but a 

 few fragments of the walls of an abbey dating from Norman 

 times, and some cross slabs, are to be found. What the 

 northmen failed to obliterate, more modern devastators 

 have effectually cleared away. 



Of great Norman abbeys, the only one left to us having 

 any imposing dimensions is that of Grey Abbey, beautifully 



