Abbeyleix

Abbeyleix or Abbeylaois (Mainistir Laoise in Irish) is a town in County Laois, Ireland about 14 km from Portlaoise. It is located on the N8 road.

Abbeyleix is quite a historical town. It was founded in the 18th century as an estate town by Viscount De Vesci and is situated near a 12th century Cistercian monastery beside the River Nore. Today, there is a huge range of historical structures still standing in and around the town - ancient ring forts, burial grounds, early monastic buildings, Norman and mediaeval castles, churches and colonial estate houses. The town once had a major carpet factory - notably producing some of the carpets used on the RMS Titanic.

There is a heritage house located in the old patrician monastery schoolhouse which provides information on the towns history. Abbeyleix was made a Heritage Town of Ireland several years ago.

No trip to Ireland is complete without a pint in the world famous Morrisey's pub in the beautiful heritage town of Abbeyleix in Co Laois.

There is a district hospital in the town, plenty of shops and several pubs. The Abbeyleix Golf Course is an 18 hole course located near the town and the town boasts sizeable hotel - the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.