Bective Abbey is a Cistercian abbey on the River Boyne in Bective, County Meath, Ireland. The abbey founded by Murchad O'Maeil-Sheachlainn in 1147 as a 'daughter house' of Mellifont Abbey. Although nothing remains except old ruins and walls, it is in a remarkable state of preservation. Bective Abbey is easy to find thanks to many sign posts along the way. Bective Abbey was used as a location during the shooting of the 1995 historical action-drama movie Braveheart. The movie was produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role.