Abbeyleix has been designated a heritage town and deservedly so, it has a number of preserved historical buildings, these and the old street lights together with the Lime tree lined main street give the town an air of timelessness. The town is situated approximately midway between Dublin and Cork on the N8. It was founded in the mid 1700's near the 12th century Monastery, close to the river Nore. The town makes an ideal base to explore the surrounding countryside, which offers activities for all tastes.

In 1183 Connor O'More built a Cistercian monetary, which gave the town its name, there is no trace of it today.The present town was laid out in the middle of the eighteenth century by the Viscount de Vesci.

There is much to explore particularly if you have an interest in history, there are the remains of mediaeval and Norman castles, monastic buildings, there are several country houses and churches as well as some ring forts.

The town once had a carpet industry its products were much sought after Harland and Woolf (Belfast shipbuilders) purchased some for the ill fated Titanic.

It you visit the town you mustn't miss Morrissey's Public House, it has been ranked number 6 of the 'twenty best pubs in the world'

Read about Abbeyleix in 1837 from Samuel Lewis' Topographical Directory of Ireland.