of Clandeboye was associated with the Diocese of Down and Connor under the Bishop of Down and Connor. This was formed on 29 July 1439 as Pope Eugene IV issued a papal bull merging the positions of Bishop of Down and Bishop of Connor (these diocese having been formed in 1111 at the Synod of Ráth Breasail, long before Clandeboye had existed). Clandeboye hosted some significant monastic houses, typically pre-dating the entry of the O'Neills into the area. Most of these were shut down during the dissolution of the monasteries under the influence of Henry VIII from the Tudor dynasty: legislation was introduced into the Parliament of Ireland in 1537 and the policy enforced on the ground more directly after 1541 as part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland. The most prestigious of which was Bangor Abbey, of ancient Gaelic origin, which was under the Augustinian Canons Regular during the time of Clandeboye. The Augustinians were also at Movilla Abbey, an old Gaelic foundation. Nendrum Monastery, founded by St. Patrick, was used as a parish church until the 15th century. Other prominent monasteries include the Norman-founded establishments of Grey Abbey, under the Cistercians and Newtownards Priory, under the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Franciscans) were also at Carrickfergus Friary, but Clandeboye's influence over them differed from time to time. Holywood Priory, a 7th-century Gaelic foundation, was also placed under the Franciscans by Niall O’Neill after the Black Death. The local chapel of importance to the O'Neills was Knockollumkille, near their headquarters at Castlereagh, founded by Columba of Iona in much earlier times. By the start of the 18th century, it was no longer in use and all that remains of the actual building of this Church today is part of a wall of the Knock Burial Ground, Clarawood, Belfast. See also Leabhar Cloinne Aodha Buidhe Branches of the Cenél nEógain Baron Dufferin and Claneboye Clandeboye Estate Clandonnell Notes References Bibliography Sources Oxford Concise Companion to Irish Literature, Robert Welsh, 1996. External links O'Neill, Prince of Clanaboy at Library Ireland Upper and Lower Clandeboye and Carrickfergus (County Antrim and Down) 1300-1600 Lower Clandeboye and Carrickfergus (County Antrim) 1540-1602 Upper Clandeboye and other territories (County Down) 1540-1609 The O'Neills' Inauguration Chair at BBC Rise of the Clandeboye by Martin Mellon The Break-Up of the Estate of Con O'Neill, Castlereagh, County Down by D. A. Chart Con O'Neill: