Bective Abbey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bective Abbey

Mainistir Bheigthí
Monastery information
Order	Cistercian
Established	1147
Disestablished	c.1530
People
Founder(s)	Murchad O'Maeil-Sheachlainn
Architecture
Status	Inactive
Site
Public access	Yes
National Monument of Ireland
Official name	Bective Abbey
Reference no.	187

Bective Abbey from the sky

Bective Abbey in 1916.

Bective Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Bheigthí) is a Cistercian abbey on the River Boyne in Bective, County Meath, Ireland.

The abbey was founded in 1147, and the remaining (well-preserved) structure and ruins primarily date to the 15th century. The site, including a nearby car park, were purchased by the state in 2012, and are managed by the Office of Public Works. 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.

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. 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, and made more accessible to visitors around this time.

Gallery

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  Column

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  Side of Bective Abbey

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  Arch at the Abbey

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  Cloisters

See also

In Spanish: Abadía de Bective para niños

• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland, (County Meath)