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Town in County Laois, Ireland
Photo: Liam Hughes from Milwaukee, WI, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Abbeyleix (pronounced "Abbi-leesh") is a town in County Laois in the midlands of Ireland, with a population of 1770 in 2016. The abbey was Cistercian, founded in 1183 in the valley of the River Nore, and the original settlement grew up around it. Nothing remains of these, as the valley was flood-prone, and around 1790 the landowner Viscount de Vesci moved Abbeyleix onto higher ground 2 km east; it was thus one of the earliest examples of a "planned village". The de Vescis also established local industries such as carpet weaving.
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This is the former North Boys School, converted into a local history museum in 1997.
Roman Catholic church with Hiberno-Romanesque architecture, founded in 1893-95 and richly decorated thanks to de Vesci money.
This is a raised bog created when glacial debris blocked the rivers so lakes backed up and infilled into wetland. Field drainage, commercial peat-cutting and road building allowed water to escape, degrading the habitat. The Bog Project focuses on restoration. Two trails start just south of Manor Hotel: a short loop of 3.6 km and a long loop of 7.5 km.
Elegant landscaped gardens by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.
This grim place opened in 1853 and housed the destitute from the famine years. It now includes an agricultural museum.
formerly Gallic Kitchen
Great reviews for this award-winning fine dining place just south of the crossroads.
Atmospheric pub that took on its present form in 1880 and is little changed since. It's sometimes made out to be the oldest pub in Ireland but it's 1000 years younger than Sean's in Athlone, reliably dated to circa 900 AD.
Modern mid-range hotel with 46 bedrooms and conference suite. The rooms at the back are quieter.
Comfy mid-price place in Durrow village centre with 16 rooms en suite.
Grand pre-Palladian mansion built from 1712. In the 20th century it was a school, but re-developed as a plush hotel in 1998. Great reviews for comfort and service, often caters for weddings.
The bog is within walking distance and the bus runs to Durrow. You need wheels to reach Heywood Gardens, a bike would do.
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