Fore Town Walls, Westmeath

Fore

Town Defences

The Anglo-Norman town defences at Fore probably date to the late 14th century. There are two town gates remaining, one at the north west of the town and another at the south east. The SE gate, pictured above is the most interesting. The gate was probably two storey, on the internal west side there is chamber with a spiral staircase. It is said a rubble bank ran west from the SE gate before turning in a North westerly direction, beyond the anchorite's cell, towards the north gate. There is no evidence of a wall running east from the north west gate, pictured below.

It is believed the town was protected by a wet marsh on the north side. The abbey is situated on the east side of the town and is surrounded on three sides by a marsh/bog, that formed a natural defence. On the north east side of the abbey a low hill, with a defensive moat, protected the abbey and town. Further to the north east there are the remains of a norman motte. A rubble bank may have ran from here in a south westerly direction to the south gate.

Situated: From Castlepollard take the R195 east, then take the third right. The North gate is about 1 kilometre down this road on your left. The south gate is further down on your right, opposite the modern church.

Discovery Map 41: N 5087 7055. Last visit July 2018.

Longitude: 7° 13' 48" W

Latitude: 53° 40' 56" N

Google Map

Photos: Jim Dempsey

North gate from the road


	Fore Town Defences The Anglo-Norman town defences at Fore probably date to the late 14th century. There are two town gates remaining, one at the north west of the town and another at the south east. The SE gate, pictured above is the most interesting. The gate was probably two storey, on the internal west side there is chamber with a spiral staircase. It is said a rubble bank ran west from the SE gate before turning in a North westerly direction, beyond the anchorite's cell, towards the north gate. There is no evidence of a wall running east from the north west gate, pictured below.
It is believed the town was protected by a wet marsh on the north side. The abbey is situated on the east side of the town and is surrounded on three sides by a marsh/bog, that formed a natural defence. On the north east side of the abbey a low hill, with a defensive moat, protected the abbey and town. Further to the north east there are the remains of a norman motte. A rubble bank may have ran from here in a south westerly direction to the south gate.
Situated: From Castlepollard take the R195 east, then take the third right. The North gate is about 1 kilometre down this road on your left. The south gate is further down on your right, opposite the modern church. Discovery Map 41: N 5087 7055. Last visit July 2018. Longitude: 7° 13' 48" W Latitude: 53° 40' 56" N Google Map Photos: Jim Dempsey	North gate from the road