PEBV Paint-out

Our destination this week is Old Mellifornt abbey and/or nearby Monasterboice.  Old Mellifont Abbey was founded in 1142 and was the first Cistercian abbey in Ireland. The abbey sits in a peaceful valley set in the rolling fields of south County Louth. Mellifont was the model on which all Cistercian  abbeys in Ireland was based. It is especially famous for its octagonal Lavabo.  The site does not officially open until May so we should be able to work away in relative freedom.  Free car park.

Monasterboice is a product of early Christian Ireland, founded in fifth century. It continues to this day as a burial ground but is famous for its 10th century High Crosses and round tower especially M uiredach's Cross

And if you don’t ‘do’ buildings there’s plenty of honest-to-god countryside.

Meet for coffee or your usual in Donegans of Monasterboice on the N1, aka R132,  about 10 kilometers north of Drogheda i.e. on the OLD Belfast Road.  Donegans has its own historical connections – Patrick Sarsfield(‘s brother), and 1798 – and serves a good breakfast!