Bective Abbey, Cistercian abbey in County Meath, Ireland.
Bective Abbey is a Cistercian monastery on the River Boyne in County Meath, featuring a blend of Gothic architecture with square towers and fortified walls across multiple levels. The complex contains remains of cloisters, monastic buildings, and a church that illustrate the spatial organization of a medieval monastery.
The abbey was founded in 1147 and became the second Cistercian establishment in Ireland after Mellifont Abbey. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the monastery developed into a significant religious center before later being fortified.
The preserved cloister displays detailed stone carvings, including a depiction of an abbot kneeling with a ceremonial staff. These carvings offer insight into the daily religious practices and hierarchy within the monastic community.
The monument is accessible throughout the year, with designated parking facilities and information panels explaining the site's features. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and stone paths, as this is an open-air historical site.
The Norman knight Hugh de Lacy was buried here in 1195, sparking a dispute between this abbey and St Thomas Abbey in Dublin. This conflict over his remains highlights the importance attributed to burial sites in medieval society.
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