Religious house

Not marked on any OS 6-inch map. A Cistercian abbey was founded here in 1183/1184 by Cucogry O'More, Lord of Leix (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 387-9; JRSAI 1948, 63-4). No visible surface remains survive. Altar-tomb (LA029-012), granite font (LA029-013002-) and grave-slab (LA029-013003-) nearby (Stalley 1987, 241). The church at Abbey Leix was valued at twelve marks in the Ecclesiastical Taxation of 1291. Seveteenth century map shows the abbey standing in isolation on the east bank of the river, along a highway which branches a short distance north of the abbey, one branch going to Birr, the other to Maryborough. The old town was situated at this fork, which is the present Oldtown Cross. In the seventeenth century the Portlaoise road took the line of the present Oldtown-Portlaoise road, but the Birr road ran from Oldtown towards Poorman's Bridge (Feehan 1983, 373-4). According to Carrigan 'Abbeyleix Abbey has been completely obliterated much longer than anyone now living can remember. Its site, about 150 yds. East of the river Nore, and about 250 yds. North-west of Lord de Vesci's mansion, is now a flowering garden. Here human remains have been frequently turned up, and a family grave containing six human skulls was come upon some few years ago. Here, also, was brought to light, a century ago or more, two very interesting monuments now resting in the corner of the same garden in which they were discovered' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 392). According to the History of the Queens County 'In 1183 a Cistercian Abbey was founded here, by Cochegerius O'Moore in honourof the Blessed Virgin Mary. The founder filled this house with Cistercian monks from Baltinglass. A flourishing religious institute appears to have succeeded, and the old town of Abbeyleix-as usual in the case of such establishments - dates its origin from this monastic house. It was called also the Abbey de Lege Dei. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Cistercian monastic site, founded in the late 12th century (1183/1184). It represents an important example of early monastic settlement in Leix and reflects the spread of Cistercian influence in medieval Ireland.