Mesolithic Period.

The first people to settle in the area were probably hunters and gatherers, most likely from what is now the Islef Man or Northwest England. They most likely settled here because of its position near to Strangford Lough. The Lough and area around would have provided all the things they needed to survive on, such as:

• Animals for meat
• Fruit and harvested vegetables
• Excellent building materials e.g. flint and wood
• Good fertile soil for growing crops and building

Archaeologists have discovered traces of many Mesolithic settlements around Strangford Lough. Strangford Lough and the surrounding area would have beena particularly important piece of land between 7000B.C. and 3500 B.C.

Monastry at Movilla.

St. Finian founded the Monastery at Movilla in 545 A.D. He gave it the name 'Movilla', which is Magh Bile in Irish, meaning 'The plain of the sacred tree'. The name suggests that before the introduction of Christianity in Ireland, the land was a sacred pagan site.

We have archaeological evidence which leads us to believe that around the top of Movilla Hill there would have been an encirclement of a bank, probably 300 yards in diameter.The church would have been situated where the thirteenth century Norman church now stands. There was a relic found around this period, a grave slab that bears the inscription ORDODERTREND meaning 'a prayer for Dertrend'. This slab of stone is now built into the north wall of the church, even though we have no idea who 'Dertrend' was.


Medieval grave slab at Movilla.
(Click for larger image).

The Monastery at Movilla was a flourishing institution before the Vikings arrived in 824 A.D. Bangor Abbey also lay in ruins after the Vikings fled. In about 910 A.D. the two destroyed monasteries joined together and became an 'Augustan Monastery' in the twelfth century.


Movilla Abbey.
(Click for larger image).

Another relic found linked to Movilla was found at Gransha. Broken slats (trial pieces) were found with unique Celtic lettering on them. This imposes that a monk's school was present at Movilla.

But the Vikings were not the last to invade. Hugh O'Neill and his men from the country of Mid-Ulster raided the monastery again. After these raids, Movilla's urban setlement disappeared and the area around it became known as 'Ballylisnevin', 'the town land of the fort of the family of Nevin'.

Anglo-Norman period.

On February 1st 1177 the Anglo-Norman knight, John de Courcy, came to Dublin and into Ulaid with a force of 700 men. Hecaused uproar and overturned the English Lords and settled himself as Lord of Ulster. De Courcy sub-divided the land and distributed some to his abundant followers. He named a county of Blaethwyc of the Ardes. In return for De Courcy's kindness the Lords enforced the Feudal System on their people. A site near Strangford was chosen for the New Town of the Ardes (Nova Villa de Ardes).

The town of Ards was built and from that town originated Newtownards. The new town became a natural meeting of routes from County Antrim, Belfast, Holywood, Craigantlet, Portaferry, Bangor, Donaghadee and the rest of the Ards Peninsula.

The Dominican Priory.

The Dominican Priory was built in 1244. A member of the Savage family possibly built it. The Priory was dedicated to St. Columba. In 1246 the lands became part of the De Burghs lands. The De Burg family were ancestors of our present Royal Family.

After the death of the Earl of Ulster, the settlement was passed onto his widow Emeline de Ridlesford. And so the Savages, a prominent Anglo-Norman family, acted as sponsors to the new rligious order. The Priory in Court Street is a classic example of its kind in scale and design. It was 96 feet long and 26 feet in width and originally one storey high.The Cloister and conventual building were behind the south wall of the nave.


The Priory at Court Street.
(Click for larger image).

The Priory did not remain a long rectange shape. It was extended by ading an aisle to either side of the cloister and single transept arm placed at the east end of the nave. This is proof of how important Newtown was in status. The extension as a whole may have been in connection with the fact that the entire order of National Conferences in the British Isles met in the Priory in 1298 and 1312.

National Conferences were meetings of the Dominican order from all over the British isles. O'Laverty said 'Newtownards became Celebrated among the Dominicans'. This proves that Newtownards was once a very important town by the fourteenth century.

The Abbey Church.

The building of the priory did not block out the importance of Movilla, but its status did diminish. The Abbey Church was built (its ruin is still visible today), and it seems to have served as the parish church for this area. This evidence is proved as thirteenth century cofin lids have been found around the building indicating funerals have taken place.

The Market Cross.

The Market Cross was erected in 1636. It is made of wrought iron andsandstone. It is situated at the east end of High Street. The Market Cross is an octagonal shape, each rectangle measuring 5 feet 6 inches in length. The complete cross is 10 feet 10 inches from the pedestal cornice, but lower walls are now obscured by a modern plinth. On the northeast face there is a lintel lead door opening. The other faces have niches segmental in plan with semi-domed head and carved scallop shell.


The Market Cross, known as the'Old Cross'.
(Click for larger image).


Newtownards Town Hall .
(Click for larger image).

Coins.

In 1977 fourteen coins were found buried in a hoard in High Street by builders clearing a site. The earliest coin was a silver penny from the reign of Edward I of England, minted after 1300. The other coins were groats and four pennies, seven issued by Edward III between 1351 and 1361. The remaining six were minted in the reign of David II of Scotland. This is proof of a good trading record where money transactions took place.

Courts.

In 1333 an enquiry was made into the value of lands and property held by the Earl of Ulster. From the county of Blathewye he received three shillings and four pence from burgages. The monthly court, which dealt with pleas and perquisites, was worth six shillings and eight pence. We know from this information the the New Town held a court every month to handle the pleas and criminals.

Sheriffs.

In 1345 Edward III appointed Robert of Holywood to be Sheriff of new town of Blathewye.Newton had enough money to pay a sheriff.

Taxes.

Between 1302 and 1306 the Pope taxed the church of Neutone fourteen marks tenth eighteen shillings eight d. This means Newtown was of vaue to the Pope.

Skeletons.

Skeletons were found in the triangle between Castle Street, Greenwell Street and Market Street. This proves humans lived in this area.

Conclusion.

Since Mesolithic times Newtownards has been an important settlement as well as a good market town. It was first established under Anglo-Norman rule (1177-1400). This just finalises that Newtownards was an established town by the fourteenth century.