Fore was walled in the 14th and 15th centuries. References exist to murage grants, first in the reign of Edward III (1327-77) and again in 1436 under Henry VI. Fore’s location outside the Pale – and therefore vulnerable to attack – likely made the construction of defensive walls necessary.

Today two substantial masonry gates and a series of earthen ditches survive. It is unclear whether a complete circuit of masonry defences was ever constructed and Avril Thomas (The Walled Towns of Ireland) speculates that a large area of marshy ground on the northeastern side of the village as well as a substantial rocky outcrop on the northwestern side may have acted as natural defences – making the construction of walls in these areas unnecessary.

Fore Heritage and Amenity Group is a voluntary community group that works to enhance the town’s heritage assets and recreational amenities for visitors and residents alike. In recent years the group has developed a 3km looped walk around the village, produced a guide to the wayside crosses of Fore and worked with LAWPRO and the IFI to improve water quality in the River Glore. They were awarded a Pride of Place Award in recognition of their efforts in 2020.

Last, but by no means least, no description of Fore would be complete without a mention of its famed ‘Seven Wonders’. These are a series of locations associated with the monastic complex to which miraculous or mysterious qualities are attributed. The wonders in full: The Monastery Built on a Bog. The Mill Without a Race. The Water that Flows Uphill. The Wood that Won’t Burn. The Water that Won’t Boil. The Anchorite in the Stone. The Lintel Raised by St. Feichin’s Prayers.

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