The abbey was founded in 1147,[3] and the remaining (well-preserved) structure and ruins primarily date to the 15th century.

[4] The site, including a nearby car park, were purchased by the state in 2012, and are managed by the Office of Public Works.

[5] The abbey, including its early 13th-century church, 15th-century cloister, and 16th-century tower, is a protected structure and recorded on the register of National monuments of Ireland.

[3] The abbey and its estate lands were confiscated during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, before being rented to Thomas Asgarde, and later purchased by Andrew Wyse in 1552.

[7] Bective Abbey was subject to a number of excavations in the early 21st century,[9] and made more accessible to visitors around this time.