Bective Abbey

{{Infobox monastery

| name = Bective Abbey

| other_names =

| native_name = Mainistir Bheigthí

| native_name_lang = ga

| image = Bective Abbey.JPG

| caption =

| order = Cistercian

| founder = Murchad O'Maeil-Sheachlainn

| established = 1147

| disestablished = c.1530

| diocese =

| status = Inactive

| style =

| people =

| location =

| coordinates =

| public_access = Yes

| website =

| remains =

| embedded = {{Infobox designation list

| embed =yes

| designation2 = National Monument of Ireland

| designation2_offname = Bective Abbey

| designation2_number = 187{{cite web |title=National Monuments of County Meath in State Care |url=http://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/monuments-in-state-care-meath.pdf |page=1 |website=heritageireland.ie |publisher=National Monument Service |accessdate=19 November 2022}}

}}

File:Bective Abbey from the Sky.jpg

File:Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (1916) (14757491876).jpg

Bective Abbey ({{langx|ga|Mainistir Bheigthí}}){{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/106012 | publisher = Irish Placenames Commission| website = logainm.ie | title = Mainistir Bheigthí - Bective Abbey | accessdate = 23 March 2017}} is a Cistercian abbey on the River Boyne in Bective, County Meath, Ireland.

The abbey was founded in 1147,{{cite web|url = http://www.thejournal.ie/bective-abbey-monaincha-abbey-clonmore-castle-979896-Jul2013/ | publisher = The Journal | website = journal.ie | title =Hidden Ireland: Mystery island, ruined fortress and Braveheart daydreams |date = 6 July 2013 | accessdate = 23 March 2017}} and the remaining (well-preserved) structure and ruins primarily date to the 15th century.{{cite web|url = http://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/bective-abbey/50063 |

publisher = Fáilte Ireland | website = discoverireland.ie | title = Churches, Abbeys and Monasteries - Bective Abbey| accessdate = 23 March 2017 }} The site, including a nearby car park, were purchased by the state in 2012, and are managed by the Office of Public Works.{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/travel/2016/1215/839027-why-ireland-rocked-travel-in-2016-and-some-hidden-gems-for-2017/ | publisher = RTÉ | website = rte.ie | title = Why Ireland rocked travel in 2016 & hidden gems for 2017 | date = 23 December 2016 | accessdate = 23 March 2017 | quote = "Bective Abbey. A 12th century Cisterian Monastery, [..] was bought by the Office of Public Works in 2012, to ensure its preservation"}} The abbey, including its early 13th-century church, 15th-century cloister, and 16th-century tower, is a protected structure and recorded on the register of National monuments of Ireland.{{cite web | url = http://www.meath.ie/CountyCouncil/Heritage/ArchitecturalHeritage/ProtectedStructures/File,52827,en.pdf | publisher = Meath County Council | website = meath.ie | title = Record of Protected Structures - County Meath | page = 81 | accessdate = 23 March 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161019233807/http://www.meath.ie/CountyCouncil/Heritage/ArchitecturalHeritage/ProtectedStructures/File,52827,en.pdf | archive-date = 19 October 2016 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web|url = https://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/monuments-in-state-care-meath.pdf | publisher = National Monuments Service | website = archaeology.ie | title = National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship - Meath | accessdate = 23 March 2017 }}

History

The abbey was founded in 1147 by Murchad O'Maeil-Sheachlainn, as a 'daughter house' of Mellifont Abbey. The abbey and its estate lands were confiscated during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, before being rented to Thomas Asgarde, and later purchased by Andrew Wyse in 1552.{{cite web | url = http://www.meath.ie/Tourism/Heritage/HeritageSites/BectiveAbbey/ | publisher = Meath County Council | website = meath.ie | title = Heritage sites - Bective Abbey | accessdate = 23 March 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170323142737/http://www.meath.ie/Tourism/Heritage/HeritageSites/BectiveAbbey/ | archive-date = 23 March 2017 | url-status = dead }} Around this time the estate lands were surveyed, and recorded at 1580 acres. During the 17th century, the abbey buildings were partially converted for use as a manor house.

The site was taken into state care, and named a protected structure and National Monument. Bective Abbey was subject to a number of excavations in the early 21st century,{{cite web|url = http://www.excavations.ie/report/2010/Meath/0021722/ | publisher = Database of Irish Excavation Reports | website = Excavations.ie| title = Summary of archaeological excavations at Bective Abbey, County Meath | accessdate = 6 January 2017 | date = 2010 }} and made more accessible to visitors around this time.{{cite web|url = http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail1996012300146?opendocument | publisher = Houses of the Oireachtas | website = oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie | title = Written Answers - Bective Abbey, County Meath | date = 23 January 1996 | accessdate = 23 March 2017 }}

In popular culture

Bective Abbey was used as a location during the shooting of the 1995 historical action-drama movie Braveheart.

Gallery

File:Bective Abbey 02.jpg|Column

File:Bective Abbey Side.JPG|Side of Bective Abbey

File:Bective Abbey Arch.JPG|Arch at the Abbey

File:Bective Abbey - inside.jpg|Cloisters

Bective Abbey

History

In popular culture

Gallery

References

See also