Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|Town in County Laois, Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox settlement |settlement_type = Town |name = Abbeyleix |native_name = {{lang|ga|Mainistir Laoise}} |native_name_lang = ga |image_skyline = IMG 1771w.JPG |image_caption = Main Street |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 census of Ireland|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 | archive-date = 11 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131353/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=51614C60-44D5-4AFB-8422-34FB2CB23844 | url-status = live }}</ref> }} '''Abbeyleix''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|b|i|ˌ|l|iː|k|s}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBH5pyHq2Yc|title=Abbeyleix Irish Heritage Town Promo|work=YouTube|date=January 29, 2013|accessdate=January 29, 2023}}</ref> {{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, up to 15,000 vehicles passed 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, and R639 regional 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>{{Cite web |url=https://laois.ie/departments/heritage/laois-heritage-trail/abbeyleix/ |title="Abbeyleix (Laois Heritage Trail)", Laois County Council |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121080452/https://laois.ie/departments/heritage/laois-heritage-trail/abbeyleix/ |url-status=live }}</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 are many historical structures standing in and around the 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 == === Road === The [[N8 road (Ireland)|N8 road]] to [[Cork (city)|Cork]] passed through Abbeyleix prior to the opening of the [[M8 motorway (Ireland)|M8 motorway]] in 2010. With the opening of the M8 the [[N77 road (Ireland)|N77 road]] was extended along the route of the former N8 from [[Durrow, County Laois|Durrow]] to [[Portlaoise]]. Access to the M8 from Abbeyleix is also provided via the [[R433 road (Ireland)|R433 road]]. === Rail === [[Abbeyleix railway station]], on the line from Portlaoise to [[Kilkenny]], opened on 1 March 1865 and closed on 1 January 1963.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abbeyleix station |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |work=Railscot - Irish Railways |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |archive-date= 26 September 2007 |access-date=8 September 2007}}</ref> === Bus === [[Bus Éireann]]'s expressway service between [[Dublin]] and 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 |archive-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728170814/http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=251#July_1 |url-status=live }}</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 |archive-date=7 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907075718/http://www.slievebloomcoaches.ie/borrisinossory_18.html |url-status=live }}</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. Heritage 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>{{Cite web |url=https://www.magnusonhotels.com/hotel/the-abbeyleix-manor-hotel/ |title=Abbeyleix Manor Hotel |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064822/https://www.magnusonhotels.com/hotel/the-abbeyleix-manor-hotel/ |url-status=live }}</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>{{Cite web |url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/ireland/laois/lords-walk-loop-abbeyleix |title="Lords Walk Loop Abbeyleix", All Trail |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064856/https://www.alltrails.com/trail/ireland/laois/lords-walk-loop-abbeyleix |url-status=live }}</ref> == Buildings of note == [[File:Plaque on Market House Abbeyleix.jpg|thumb|262px|Plaque on Market House]] [[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 €20 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 |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624080934/https://www.daft.ie/laois/houses-for-sale/abbeyleix/the-abbey-leix-estate-abbeyleix-laois-2155057/ |url-status=live }}</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> Within the town, 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 library and exhibition centre.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} Heritage House is a visitor centre which houses a local history museum. This 19th-century building was once the North Boys School.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abbeyleixheritage.com/ |title=Heritage House |access-date=25 January 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214250/http://www.abbeyleixheritage.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the Market House and Heritage House are listed on the [[Record of Protected Structures]] for County Laois.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.laois.ie/wp-content/uploads/APPENDIX-1-RPS-2017-2023-.pdf | publisher = Laois County Council | website = laois.ie | title = Laois County Development Plan 2017-2023 - Appendix 1 - Record of Protected Structures | date = 2017 | accessdate = 2 February 2022 }}</ref> == 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 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226001132/http://abbeyleixgolfclub.ie/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://abbeyleixtennis.com/about/ |title=About – Abbeyleix Tennis Club |publisher=Abbeyleixtennis.com |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118033101/http://abbeyleixtennis.com/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other sports clubs in the area include a [[field hockey|hockey]] club and [[soccer]] (association football) club.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abbeyleixhockey.com/ |title=Abbeyleix Hockey Club |access-date=16 March 2012 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320220659/http://www.abbeyleixhockey.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110208055211/http://abbeyleixjuvenilesoccerclub.com/ Abbeyleix Soccer Club]</ref> == Notable residents == {{See also|Category:People from Abbeyleix}} * [[Sarah Venie Barr|Sarah "Venie" Barr]], (1875–1947) political and community activist * [[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 Eamonn “The rock Cena” Oxley 1998-Present (Toiseach) == 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]] [[Category:Planned communities in the Republic of Ireland]]'