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Abbeyleix
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Abbeyleix is a
heritage town in County Laois located about 14 km south of
Portlaoise. This attractive town with tree-lined streets and
gracious town houses is situated beside the River Nore.
Abbeyleix is a town with a long history, tracing its roots back to a
settlement which grew up around a 12th century Cistercian abbey. The
modern town was planned and executed in the 18th century by the
landlord Viscount de Vesci. Two de Vesci fountain memorials are
located in the town. The new Abbeyleix flourished and developed a
number of industries including flour milling, brewing and a factory
that made carpets used all over the world, including on the
ill-fated liner, the Titanic. The towns history is well documented
in the Heritage Museum which is located in the school house of a
former Patrician Monastery.
Abbeyleix has been designated a Heritage Town owing to the range of
historical structures still standing in and around the town. The
splendid architecture of the town's churches is complimented by
other important buildings such as South School, the Bank of Ireland,
Pembroke Terrace, Knocknamoe, Market and Station Houses and old shop
fronts throughout the town. Ancient ring forts, burial grounds,
early monastic buildings, castles and colonial estate houses are
located in the countryside surrounding the town.
The Abbey Sensory Gardens occupies the old walled garden of the
Brigidine Convent, founded in 1842 in Abbeyleix. It aims to please
everybody by the stimulation of all five senses - vision, smell,
touch, taste and sound. It achieves this by means of the scents of
many herbs and other aromatic plants, by the sound of water in water
features and the selection of others with touch and taste appeal. A
boules court has been laid out in the gardens, one of very few
places in Ireland where this relaxing French game can be played.
There are also many other beautiful gardens to visit close to hand,
and wonderful fishing on the internationally renowned River Nore.
Abbeyleix is also a good base for the walking enthusiast. The town
has its own walking trail - " Lord's Walk". Nearby Durrow is home to
the Leafy Loop, while the imposing Slieve Bloom Mountains have a
number of walking, cycling and horse-riding trails which wind
through their unspoiled scenery.
Abbeyleix Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 parkland golf course
measuring 6052 yards. The course is fast developing a reputation as
one of the best courses in the midlands. Designed by the well known
Golf Architect Mel Flanigan, the layout will prove a fair test of
golf for players of all categories. There are a number of other fine
golf courses in the vicinity of the town including Rathdowney and
Mountrath. |
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Abbeyleix Holiday Homes - County Laois, Ireland