Fore Abbey facts for kids
| Mainistir Fhobhair | |
 |
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Benedictines |
| Established | 630 CE |
| Disestablished | 27 November 1539 |
| Diocese | Meath |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Féchín |
| Important associated figures | Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Site | |
| Location | North of Lough Lene, County Westmeath |
| Coordinates | 53°41′02″N 7°13′38″W / 53.683902°N 7.227311°W |
| Visible remains | abbey, hermitage, town gates |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Fore Abbey & Fore town gates |
| Reference no. | 215 & 220 |
Fore Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Fhobhair) is an amazing old ruin of a Benedictine monastery in County Westmeath, Ireland. It's located near the village of Fore, not far from Lough Lene. A holy person named Saint Feichin started this abbey way back in 630 CE. Can you believe it was active for more than 900 years?
Back in 665 CE, during a time of sickness, it's thought that about 300 monks from a place called Normandy lived here. Plus, around 2000 students came to learn! Over hundreds of years, the abbey changed a lot because of new buildings and fires. The name "Fore" comes from the anglicised Irish word "Fobhar," which means "water-springs." This is because of a special spring or well linked to Saint Feichin near the old church.
A Historic Benedictine Priory
In the 13th century, a powerful Norman landlord named Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath built a Benedictine priory in the valley nearby. Many of the buildings you see in ruins today are from the 15th century. They have been restored over time. Fore Abbey became a very important place for Benedictine monks in Ireland.
This priory was dedicated to both Saint Feichin and St Taurin, who was an abbot from the main monastery in Évreux, Normandy.
- The church from the 13th century still shows some beautiful decorations. It also has graceful arcaded cloisters, which are covered walkways.
- Next to the church are the broken walls of two towers. This is where the monks used to live.
- Between the years 771 and 1169, Fore Abbey was attacked and burned 12 times! Invaders like the Vikings, led by Turgesius, caused a lot of damage.
The Seven Wonders of Fore Abbey
Local people often talk about the "Seven Wonders of Fore." These are special things linked to the abbey and Saint Feichin. They make the area even more interesting!
- The Monastery on the Bog: It's amazing that such a big building was built on soft, marshy ground.
- The Mill Without a Race: This refers to St. Feichin's Mill. People say Saint Feichin made water flow from the ground to power the mill, even though there was no clear water channel. In reality, water from Lough Lene flows underground to reach it.
- The Water That Flows Uphill: Legend says Saint Feichin used his staff to make water flow upwards.
- The Tree That Won't Burn: This is a special tree where visitors place coins. It's often called "the copper tree."
- The Water That Doesn't Boil: This is found in Saint Feichin's holy well. People believe the water there never boils, even when heated.
- The Anchorite in a Cell: An anchorite was a religious person who lived alone in a small room or "cell" to pray and meditate.
- The Lintel-Stone Raised by Prayer: A lintel-stone is a large stone beam placed over a doorway. It's said that Saint Feichin raised this heavy stone with only his prayers.
Another important feature of Fore are the Fore Crosses. One of these crosses is right in the village of Fore. There are 18 crosses in total. Some are plain because of wind and rain, while others still have carvings. These crosses are spread out over 7 miles on roads and in fields. They are a reminder of a time when people faced difficulties for their religious beliefs.
Gallery
-
Fore Abbey
-
Fore Village
-
St. Feichin's Mill
-
Fore viewed from West
-
2nd Chapel of Fore
