I just re-discovered some photos on my phone that I was meaning to blog about. There were a lot and I found it difficult to exclude some.
Richie and I went to a local supplier of poultry to see what species they had. Richie is considering getting some chickens to give the ducks some extra company. Though since we fenced them into their own area, he’s missing their presence around the rest of the garden! I, for one, am not missing the duck plop everywhere. If I’m honest with myself, I do kind of miss seeing them trail around the side of the house or out to the back field. But it’s for their own safety that they’re behind the electric fence. Before we get any chickens, some decisions need to be made about the continual company of poultry in Woodhaven.
Anyway that didn’t stop us from visiting C&B Poultry near the village of Fore, Westmeath. It’s not far from Mullingar. The village is also home to Fore Abbey. More on that a little later.
C&B have a wide range of species and it’s clear that they keep their set up, clean and functioning like clockwork. From speaking with C&B, it was also clear they have a passion for poultry and they want their hens/roosters to go to good homes.
We arrived at the right time. The outbuilding was a hive of chirping and cheeping young chicks. Most of which huddled together in packs and mostly under the heat lamps.
Spot the duckling with the chicks. He was runt and shunned by the other ducks.
I can’t remember all the specie names, that was Richie’s job. But there were a multitude, all very beautiful.
Some were very strange, but at the same time very cute. This baldy one was unexpectedly hot to the touch and extremely docile.
C&B seem to be doing a great job and all their animals were really content and happy. Though I think I would be, if I had views like these.
As I said earlier, the ruins of Fore Abbey are also adjacent to the village. It was my first and only time there. We weren’t expecting to stop off but it was too lovely a day not to and my interests had perked up.
The Abbey dates back to the 13th Century but most of it is from the 15th Century. It’s so surprising when buildings (or partial ruins) can last that long. The road to fore goes by the abbey on one side and then on the other side is the church, overlooked by a stony hill.
The abbey used to be home to over 300 Benedictine monks. I wonder what life was truly like for them, in the 15th Century. How did people tolerate our winters without central heating or insulation? And though Fore is not that remote, back then it must’ve been. I could go into St. Feichin and the Seven Wonders of Fore Abbey but I think I’ll allow you to investigate that further or possibly use it as an excuse to actually go visit it. Don’t forget that there is a small visitor centre and café and also 2 charming pubs in the village. We managed to have a cold Guinness on the rare hot day.
I’ll leave you with the rest of the photos.
And finally the gruesome sight of a dead crow. It’s horrible and ugly and gorgeous and real. Some say the abbey is haunted by the hooded monk. I wonder did he have part to play in this. 
Leave a Reply