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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Use Irish English|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox settlement |settlement_type = Town |name = Abbeyleix |other_name = {{Pad top italic|Mainistir Laoise}} |image_skyline = IMG 1771w.JPG |image_caption = Abbeyleix, Main St |pushpin_map = Ireland |pushpin_label_position = right |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland |coordinates = {{coord|52.914|-7.349|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}} |blank_name_sec1 = Irish Grid Reference |blank_info_sec1 = {{iem4ibx|S435850}} |subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Leinster]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of Ireland|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[County Laois]] |unit_pref = Metric |elevation_m = 95 |population_as_of = 2016 |population_total = 1770 |population_urban = |population_blank2_title = |population_blank2 = |population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=51614C60-44D5-4AFB-8422-34FB2CB23844 | publisher = CSO | work = Census 2016 | title = Sapmap Area - Settlements - Abbeyleix | date = April 2016 | access-date = 24 January 2020 }}</ref> }} '''Abbeyleix''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|b|iː|ˈ|l|iː|ʃ}}; {{Irish place name|Mainistir Laoise|Laois Abbey}})<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/1411621.aspx | publisher = Irish Placenames Commission | website = logainm.ie | title = Abbeyleix / Mainistir Laoise | access-date = 24 January 2020}}</ref> is a town in [[County Laois]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], located around {{convert|14|km|mi}} south of the county town of [[Portlaoise]]. Abbeyleix was formerly located on the [[N8 road (Ireland)|N8]], the main road from Dublin to Cork. At one point there was up to 15,000 vehicles passing along the town's main street every day. Since May 2010, however, the town has been bypassed by the [[M8 motorway (Ireland)|M8 motorway]], with the former N8 consequently downgraded to the [[N77 road (Ireland)|N77]] national secondary road. == History == There was a settlement at Abbeyleix as early as 1183, that grew up near the [[River Nore]], around a [[Cistercian]] monastery - which gives the town its name. [[File:Monument to John Vesey, 2nd Viscount de Vesci.jpg|thumb|Monument to John Vesey, 2nd Viscount de Vesci]] Modern Abbeyleix is one of the oldest planned estate towns in Ireland. It was largely built in the 18th century by [[Viscount de Vesci]]. The regular flooding of the [[River Nore]] made the town an unhealthy place to live. Around 1790, [[John Vesey, 2nd Viscount de Vesci|John Vesey]] determined that the location of the town was not suitable for his tenants, and began to design a new one. The old town was levelled, and the residents moved to the new one.<ref>[https://laois.ie/departments/heritage/laois-heritage-trail/abbeyleix/ "Abbeyleix (Laois Heritage Trail)", Laois County Council]</ref> A memorial to the 2nd Viscount de Vesci, paid for by subscriptions, is in the town center. It features a water trough for horses. Today, there is a large range of historical structures still standing in and around the small heritage town - ancient ring forts, burial grounds, churches and 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|RMS ''Olympic'']] and [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbeyleixheritagetown.com/heritage-house-page11618.html |title=Titanic Carpet Factory |access-date=2011-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426042121/http://www.abbeyleixheritagetown.com/heritage-house-page11618.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref> The Abbeyleix Heritage House is a local heritage centre, with visitor information and an exhibition on the county's history and local attractions. Original antique carpets and vintage costumes are on display alongside archaeological and historical artefacts. == Transport == Access to the [[M8 motorway (Ireland)|M8 motorway]] to [[Cork City|Cork]] is provided via the [[R433 road (Ireland)|R433 road]], while the [[N77 road (Ireland)|N77 road]] links the town with the Dublin-Limerick [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7]] and to [[Kilkenny]]. [[Abbeyleix railway station]] opened on 1 March 1865 and closed on 1 January 1963.<ref>{{cite web | title=Abbeyleix station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=2007-09-08| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf| archive-date= 26 September 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Bus Éireann]]'s expressway service between [[Dublin]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]] ceased to serve Abbeyleix on 30 June 2012. As an interim measure until 11 August 2012 [[Bus Éireann]] operated a shuttle service (route 128) to connect with Expressway services at [[Portlaoise]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=251#July_1 |title=Shannon Airport - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets |publisher=Buseireann.ie |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> Slieve Bloom Coaches also have a route from [[Borris-in-Ossory]] to [[Portlaoise]] which serves the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slievebloomcoaches.ie/borrisinossory_18.html |title=BorrisInOssory |publisher=Slievebloomcoaches.ie |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> == Amenities == There is a District Hospital in the town, and a number of shops and pubs. Father Breen Park has fields for soccer and other sports, while the adjacent CYMS hall is home to a number of clubs, including boxing and Tae-Kwon-Do House also provides guided tours of the museum and runs workshops throughout the year. The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel is part of the Magnuson Hotels chain.<ref>[https://www.magnusonhotels.com/hotel/the-abbeyleix-manor-hotel/ Abbeyleix Manor Hotel]</ref> The "Lords Walk Loop" is a 2.4 kilometer loop that traces an old walking route taken by the De Vesci Family to reach the local church and railway station.<ref>[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/ireland/laois/lords-walk-loop-abbeyleix "Lords Walk Loop Abbeyleix", All Trail]</ref> == Buildings of note == [[File:Plaque on Market House Abbeyleix.jpg|thumb|262px|Plaque on Market House]] * Abbeyleix Market House is a five-bay, four storey building which was previously used as a Fire Station and Library. It has been renovated as a state-of-the-art library and exhibition centre. * [[Abbeyleix House]] and the de Vesci estate (Abbeyleix Estate) is located on the Ballacolla road. As of 2019, the estate was being marketed for sale, with an asking price of ε20 million. <ref>{{cite web |title=The Abbey Leix Estate, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois |url=https://www.daft.ie/laois/houses-for-sale/abbeyleix/the-abbey-leix-estate-abbeyleix-laois-2155057/ |website=DAFT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laoistoday.ie/2019/06/24/historic-1100-acre-laois-estate-goes-up-for-sale-with-e20-million-price-tag/ |title=Historic 1,100-acre Laois estate goes up for sale with €20 million price tag - Laois Today |publisher=Laoistoday.ie |date=24 June 2019 |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> * Heritage House is a visitor centre which houses a museum and model railway. There is also a large playground on the property. This 19th-century building, once the North Boys School, is listed on the Register of Protected Structures.<ref>[http://www.abbeyleixheritage.com Heritage House]</ref> * The Abbeyleix South National School is a 19th-century building, not open to the public. * 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. == Sport == [[Abbeyleix GAA]] club is the local [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] club. Abbeyleix Golf Club and Abbeyleix Lawn Tennis Club were established in 1895 and 1909 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abbeyleixgolfclub.ie/ |title=Abbeyleix Golf Club Est.1895 – Welcome to our site |publisher=Abbeyleixgolfclub.ie |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abbeyleixtennis.com/about/ |title=About – Abbeyleix Tennis Club |publisher=Abbeyleixtennis.com |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> Other sports clubs in the area include a [[field hockey|hockey]] club and [[soccer]] (association football) club.<ref>[http://www.abbeyleixhockey.com/ Abbeyleix Hockey Club]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110208055211/http://abbeyleixjuvenilesoccerclub.com/ Abbeyleix Soccer Club]</ref> == Notable residents == * [[Launt Thompson]] (1833–1894), sculptor.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location=Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref> * [[Edward Massey|Sir Edward Massey]] (1619–1674), English soldier and parliamentarian * [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]] (1909–1992), artist * Emily Brain (swagalicious town mayor), (world champion fisherman), (2004-present) *Becky O’Connor (phat ass) (2004-present) == See also == * [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]] * [[Market Houses in the Republic of Ireland|Market Houses in Ireland]] == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{wikivoyage}} {{Commons category|Abbeyleix}} * [http://www.abbeyleix.irishheritagetowns.com/ Abbeyleix Irish Heritage Towns] * [http://www.abbeyleix.ie/ Abbeyleix.ie] * [http://www.abbeyleixbog.ie/ Abbeyleix Bog] * [http://www.abbeyleixfec.ie/ Abbeyleix Further Ed. Centre] * [http://www.abbeyleixtidytowns.net/ Abbeyleix Tidy Towns] {{County Laois}} [[Category:Towns and villages in County Laois]] [[Category:Townlands of County Laois]]'