Fore Abbey

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This article is about the abbey. For other uses, see Fore (disambiguation).

Fore Abbey
Mainistir Fhobhair
ForeAbbey1.JPG
Monastery information
OrderBenedictines
Established630 CE
Disestablished27 November 1539
DioceseMeath
People
Founder(s)Féchín
Important associated figuresHugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath
Architecture
StatusInactive
StyleRomanesque
Site
LocationNorth of Lough Lene, County Westmeath
Coordinates53°41′02″N 7°13′38″W / 53.683902°N 7.227311°W / 53.683902; -7.227311Coordinates: 53°41′02″N 7°13′38″W / 53.683902°N 7.227311°W / 53.683902; -7.227311
Visible remainsabbey, hermitage, town gates
Public accessyes
National Monument of Ireland
Official nameFore Abbey & Fore town gates
Reference no.215 & 220

Fore Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Fhobhair) is the ruin of a Benedictine Abbey, situated to the north of Lough Lene in County Westmeath, near Fore village. The abbey was founded by Saint Feichin in 630 CE and functioned for over 900 years. By 665 CE (the time of the yellow plague), the abbey is believed to have housed up to 300 Benedictine monks from Normandy and 2000 students.[1][2] Architectural additions and damage by fire have altered the site's appearance and layout over the centuries.

Fore is the anglicised version of the Irish "Fobhar", meaning "water-springs". The name is derived from St. Feichin’s spring or well which is next to the old church, a short distance from the ruined monastery. The site is referenced in the Annals of Inisfallen (AI) as "Repose of Fechtnach of Fobar".[3]

A Benedictine Priory[]

In the 13th century Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath the Norman and landlord built a Benedictine priory in the valley nearby. Many of the buildings that remain today (in ruins) are from the 15th century and have been restored throughout this century, making Fore Abbey the largest group of 300 Benedictine to have sojourned and remained in Ireland. This priory was dedicated to both St Feichin and St Taurin, the Évreux, Normandy abbot of the parent monastery.

  • Its 13th century church still has some decorations and graceful arcaded cloisters.
  • Attached to the church are the broken walls of two towers, where the monks once lived.
  • Between 771 and 1169 Fore Abbey was burnt 12 times by pillaging invaders, such as the Turgesius led Vikings.

Seven Wonders of Fore[]

The Abbey is also noted for what local populations call its seven wonders:

  1. The monastery built upon the bog.
  2. The mill without a race (St. Fechin reportedly induced water to flow from the ground and operate a mill that had no visible water supply - in reality water from Lough Lene flows through the ground).
  3. The water that flows uphill. (St. Fechin reportedly used his staff to make the water flow uphill)
  4. The tree that has three branches/the tree that won’t burn. Pilgrims place coins in it, giving it the name "the copper tree."
  5. The water that doesn’t boil in St Fechin's holy well.
  6. The anchorite in a cell
  7. The lintel-stone raised by St. Fechin’s prayers.

Another important aspect of Fore is the Fore Crosses one of which is in the village of Fore. There are 18 crosses; some crosses are plain (most likely due to wind and rain erosion) whilst others still remain carved. These are spread out over 7 miles on roadways and in fields and bore witness to religious persecution during penal times.

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Fore Abbey". Megalithic Ireland. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Fore Abbey". Boyne Valley Tours. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Annals of Inisfallen". CELT: The Corpus of Electronic Texts. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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