'It’s all over, like the Fair of Fore’

Those who braved the heavy drizzle last Saturday afternoon were treated to a lively family storytelling tour of Fore, given by archaeologist Bryn Goldrick of Abarta Heritage as part of Heritage Week.

Bryn described Fore as a hidden gem of national and international importance, and the abbey as the most impressive Benedictine priory in the country.

At the outset, Bryn and Roisin Burke, also of Abarta Heritage, revealed that they are working on an audio guide of Fore for Westmeath County Council. Roisin said they have been working with Westmeath heritage officer, Melanie McQuade, on the guided tour, a reconstruction illustration of what medieval Fore would have looked like, and on oral history recordings.

Saturday’s tour took in the Rock of Fore, the Hermit’s Cell, St Feichin’s Church ruins, the Benedictine Abbey, St Feichin’s Mill, and the Holy wells, including St Feichin’s Bath, that are said to cure ailments such as headache, toothache, sour eyes, afflictions of the mind, and delicate children. Bryn also detailed the Seven Wonders of Fore.

Bryn said a copper axe head and a bronze bracelet dating back 4,000 years had been unearthed in Fore. At the gatehouse at the abbey, a bone dice and harp tuning peg had been found.

In the cloisters of the abbey, Bryn said it would once have been home to 300 monks who came over from France with the Anglo Normans. St Feichin’s church dates to the 10th century and an extension was added in the 13th century. The Hermit’s Cell dates to the 15th or 16th century, a mausoleum having been added later, Bryn told the gathering.

The present abbey is a replica of the original monastery, which was located across the road, he pointed out.

The Benedictines were an elite order brought in from France by the Anglo Normans when Hugh de Lacy was Lord of Meath. He took Fore by force, his knights plundering and burning before establishing the walled medieval town, Bryn said. The monastery was subsequently shut down and its property confiscated by Henry VIII.

The tour ended at the market square, which Bryn said is the smallest village square in Ireland, but would once have been “bustling”. He pointed out the remains of what was once the jail for Meath. A path known as Death Man’s Walk leads from the jail to Hangman’s Hill or Gallows Hill, he said. ‘It’s all over, like the Fair of Fore’ is a local saying quoted by Bryn as he concluded his tour.