Summary of Local History;
The original town of Abbeyleix grew up near the River Nore, on the site of an early Christian abbey. The town developed under the protection of a twelfth century Cistercian monastery. In 1562, Queen Elizabeth granted the abbey and associated lands to Thomas, Earl of Ormond. Over the next century, the village grew to contain 52 families. However, regular flooding from the River Nore made the town an unhealthy place to live.
When the de Vesci family acquired Abbeyleix in 1750, they decided that the town would have to move. The de Vescis levelled the old town of Abbeyleix and moved its people to a new planned town. Abbeyleix prospered in its new location and by 1837, had grown to 140 houses. Local farmers traded at the Market House and business premises lined its crescent. Over the next century the main industries included flour mills, a brewery, and a factory that made carpets used all over the world, including on the luxury liner Titanic.
Lady de Vesci looked after poor widows in the Alms House on Temperance Street. The destitute were admitted to the Workhouse, which opened in 1842. Today visitors can admire the fine period buildings that remain in Abbeyleix, including the Church of Ireland, Baptist Meeting House, Wesleyan Meeting house, and Catholic Church. Those wanting to learn more about life in the mid-1800s can visit the restored Sexton’s House. For the full story of the town, go to the Abbeyleix Heritage House in the old Patrician North School.
Reference
Abbeyleix Heritage House www.abbeyleixheritage.com
Phone: 057 873 1653 Email: [email protected]
Facilities: Car park, toilets
History Blogs
Abbeyleix Music History
Professions, Merchants and Traders 1955.
Market Day---Saturday. Half Holiday---Wednesday. Population, 1946---522. Pig Fair---Third Monday of each month. • Auctioneers. John Baggott m.i.a.a. • Bakers. Edward Holohan, EJ Morrissey Main Street. E. Thornton Ballinakill Road. J. Wilkinson, Main Street. • Banks....
Tales of the Past.
Growing up in Abbeyleix in the 1950s and 60s, when there was no such thing as television to entertain us, we had to for the most part try and entertain ourselves, such as with GAA, and the odd film that we were allowed go to in the picture house if we were good. On...
The Boccough Ruadh
Can anyone remember the story they were told about’ Poormansbridge’ in Abbeyleix, and how it came to be named as such? Back in the year 1757 when travellers would try to cross the river Nore that divided Abbeyleix from Shanahoe, they would cross at the ‘‘Ford’’ which...
Life Lore & Legend
Having lived most of my life in Rathmoyle, I always felt very proud and privileged to have lived among some of the best neighbours anyone could hope to have. Childhood friends I made back then have stood the test of time. Unfortunately, some have passed on now,...
The Old Barbers Shop.
The old barbers shop was operated by one of the truly great old characters of Abbeyleix. His name was Ned Hinchin. Ned was the son of Patrick who hailed from the USA back in the late nineteenth century. He joined the postal service, and worked as a postman from the...
Clonkeen Church _ Graveyard
Calling on the people from Abbeyleix and the Ballinakill area, or indeed any other interested people to come together as a community and try and save a Medieval Church and graveyard from deteriorating further and possibly collapsing altogether. Clonkeen Church and...
Abbeyleix Gaa In the Beginning.
The Gaelic Athletic Association had been founded in 1884, and such was the interest and enthusiasm locally, that the first GAA county convention was held in Abbeyleix in 1888, with the chairman being a local man, John Mc Mahon. The first pitch used by St Lazerian’s...
Local History Related Videos
Abbeyleix History Timline
Abbeyleix Heritage House
Heritage House is housed in the historic north boys’ school in Abbeyleix, and was opened in 1997 with a museum dedicated to local history and culture from Abbeyleix and County Laois.