Abbeyleix

Abbeyleix Mainistir Laoise
—  Town  —
Abbeyleix, Main St
Abbeyleix Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52.914°N 7.349°W / 52.914; -7.349
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	County Laois
Elevation	95 m (312 ft)
Population (2006)
• Town	2,569
• Urban	1,568
• Environs	1,001
Irish Grid Reference	S435850

Abbeyleix (Irish: Mainistir Laoise, meaning "Laois Abbey") is a town in County Laois, Ireland about 14 km (9 mi) from Portlaoise and located on the N77 national secondary route. Formerly the N8 National Primary Route ran through the centre of the town, making Abbeyleix an infamous bottleneck on the Dublin-Cork corridor with up to 15,000 vehicles passing through the main street everyday. However, the town was bypassed by the M8 motorway on 28 May, 2010.

History

Abbeyleix was founded in the 18th century as a town by Viscount de Vesci and is situated near a 12th century Cistercian monastery beside the River Nore. Today, there is a large range of historical structures still standing in and around the small village - ancient ring forts, burial grounds, early monastic buildings, Norman and mediaeval castles, churches and colonial estate houses. The town once had a carpet factory, established in 1904 by Yvo de Vesci, the 5th Viscount – notably producing some of the carpets used on the RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic.

There is a heritage house located in the old Patrician monastery schoolhouse which provides information on the towns history. Abbeyleix was made a Heritage town of Ireland several years ago.

Transport

Access to the M8 motorway to Cork is provided via the R433 road, while the N77 links the town with the Dublin-Limerick M7 and to Kilkenny.

Abbeyleix railway station opened on 1 March 1865, but finally closed on 1 January 1963.

Bus Eireann operates an expressway service between Dublin and Cork which calls at Abbeyleix, whilst Aircoach operate a similar service that also calls at Dublin Airport.

Amenities

There is a district hospital in the town, and a number of shops and pubs, such as Morrissey's Pub, which claims to be the oldest in Ireland. The Father Breen Park forms the nexus for a great many activities, providing fields for soccer, football and other sports, while the adjacent CYMS hall is home to numerous clubs, such as boxing and Tae-Kwon-Do. The town boasts a newly built hotel - the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. The hotel has recently extended to 46 bedrooms and includes a new state-of-the-art Conference Suite.

Politics

Abbeyleix is part of the Borris-In-Ossory Electoral Area for Laois County Council. The area is largely regarded as supportive of the Fine Gael party in both Local and Dáil Éireann elections.

Buildings of note

Restoration of Market House (November 2007)

Plaque on Market House

• Abbeyleix Market House is a 5 bay, 2 story building which was until 2005 used as a Fire Station and Library. It has been renovated as a state of the art library/exhibition centre.
• The de Vesci estate on the Ballacolla road with its beautiful gardens is open to the public one day a year. All proceeds from this opening are given to a local charity.
• Also of note are the Heritage Centre & the Sensory Gardens on Main Street.
• The Abbeyleix South National School is a beautiful 19th century building.
• Morrissey's public house on Main Street is a must for any visitor to the town.
• Preston House on Main Street is an old school house.
• Sextons House is a beautifully renovated cottage.
• Abbeyleix Further Education Centre, located on the Mountrath Road, is housed in a former Technical School and is a good example of the school architecture of the time.
• Bramleys on Main Street is the location of the old carpet factory. It is now a department store and coffee shop.

Notable residents

• Launt Thompson, (1833–1894), born in Abbeyleix, was a noted sculptor.

Sport

• Abbeyleix GAA
• The Abbeyleix Golf Course is an 18-hole course located near the town.
• Abbeyleix Lawn Tennis Club.
• 7 a side Astroturf Pitch.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Market Houses in Ireland

External links

• Abbeyleix Town Website
• Abbeyfest Abbeyleix Music and Arts Festival
• Abbeyleix Heritage House
• Abbeyleix Bog
• Abbeyleix Facebook
• Abbeyleix Golf Club
• Abbeyleix Manor Hotel
• Preston House Abbeyleix
• Abbeyleix GAA Facebook
• Abbeyleix Further Ed. Centre