BECTIVE

In 1868, the parish of Bective contained the following places:

"BECTIVE, a parish in the barony of Upper Navan, in the county of Meath, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles to the N.E. of Trim. It is situated in a fertile and cultivated district on the west bank of the river Boyne. It was the site of an abbey of the Cistercian order, founded about the middle of the 12th century by one of the kings of Meath. This house was largely endowed, and flourished till the Dissolution. The abbot was a lord in parliament. At the close of the 12th century a curious quarrel occurred between the monks of Bective and the canons of St. Thomas's abbey, Dublin, concerning the possession of the remains of Hugh de Lacy, a baron who came over to Ireland with Henry II. became governor of Meath, and on his death was buried at Bective abbey, his head, however, being deposited at Dublin. The question was decided in favour of the latter place. In 1639 this parish was granted by Charles I. to Lord Chancellor Bolton, in whose family it remains. Excellent limestone abounds here, and is used both for building and farming purposes. The living is an impropriate rectory in the diocese of Meath. There is no church. The ruins of the abbey stand by the river, and consist of several square towers, part of the great hall, and some fine Gothic arches and sculptured pillars which formed part of the cloisters. There are remains of an old church or chapel. Bective House, the seat of the Boltons, is a modern mansion standing in pleasant grounds on the banks of the Boyne. Bective gives the title of earl to the Marquis of Headfort."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018