Bective Abbey/Hill of Tara/Trim Castle

Bective Abbey

The Abbey was built on the banks of the River Boyne for the Cistercian Monks.  The founder of the Abbey was Murchad O’Maeil-Sheachlainn, High King of Meath, in 1147 and has a close association with Mellifont Abbey.  The Abbot of the time was a Spiritual Lord and sat on the Parliament of the Pale.  It is largely in ruins today, but the Cloisters remains well preserved with some exquisite arches and figures.

Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in Irish, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland, over 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology Tara  was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site.

Trim Castle

Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, was constructed over a thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted the Liberty of Meath by King Henry II in 1172 in an attempt to curb the expansionist policies of Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow. Construction of the massive three storied Keep, the central stronghold of the castle, began circa 1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress. This massive twenty-sided tower, which is shaped like a cross, was shielded by a ditch, curtain wall and moat.