Architecture
An early foundation (about the middle of the seventh century a.d.) which falls within this province is that of St Feichin, at. Fore, situated on the north side of Lough fene, Co. Westmeath. The church of St Feichin has a remarkable Cyclopean doorway with sloping jambs and a massive lintel. Above tlie door is a projecting tablet, having carved upon it a cross contained in a circle. This massive doorway, with its sloping jambs and cross- inscribed lintel, is similar to doorways in Syria : it furnishes another link between early Irish Christianity and the East. Close to the church is an anchorites cell, used by a succession of hermits, the last being Patrick Biglin, who died in a.d. 1680. Walter de Lacy built a monastery here in 1209 dedicated to St Ecichin and St Taurin, and filled it with Benedictine monks from the abbey of St Evreux in Normandy. The ruins of this abbey and St Feichins church have recently been vested in the Irish Board of Works. Other re- mains at Fore include the ancient gateways of the town and some Termon crosses.
