2,643
Abbeyleix Heritage House
Abbeyleix Heritage House is Laois' biggest history museum, community centre and business hub.
For this week's TRIVIA THURSDAY, can you Guess the Year this historic moments in Irish history took place?
For this week's CURATOR TUESDAY, we have the history of Fr. Breen Park.![]()
![]()
In the early part of the 20th century, the need for a park in Abbeyleix was recognised by Revd. Fr. Breen, the parish priest at the time. Behind the shops and houses of Main Street and to the west of town, was a large gravel pit known as Jelly's Pit. Fr Breen decided that the pit could be transformed into a town park and set about organising the transformation. A large number of volunteers were persuaded to take part in what became known as 'The Big Push.' ![]()
![]()
Using picks, spades and shovels, the people of Abbeyleix in a very short period of time, transformed the area into a park. The park was named after Fr Breen. ![]()
![]()
The Tennis Club was already in residence in one corner since 1909. The local GAA began to play their matches regularly in the park. Over the years, other sports began to make use of the pitch. Marquees were erected on special occasions and carnivals and dances organised. In time, a hall was built, the CYMS Hall, and was available for a great variety of functions. ![]()
![]()
#Abbeyleix #abbeyleixheritagehouse #abbeyleix_ireland #museum #heritagemuseum #laoistourism #laois #curatortuesday
Wishing you a Happy St Patricks Day from Abbeyleix Heritage House 🍀 ☘️ 🍀 ![]()
![]()
Heritage House will be open for the duration of the Abbeyleix parade. ![]()
![]()
#Abbeyleix #abbeyleixheritagehouse #abbeyleix_ireland #ireland #stpatricksdayparade #stpatrick #laois #happystpatricksday
Test your knowledge and see how well you know St. Patrick's Day!
For this week's CURATOR TUESDAY, we have the history of Laburnum Logde.![]()
![]()
Laburnum Lodge is a stately two-storey house built on the Ballyroan Road on the northern side of Abbeyleix. During the 1930's, it was the home of the Finnegan family. Due to its strategic position, it was commandeered by the Free State Soldiers during the Civil War. From the upper bedroom windows, the soldiers had an uninterrupted view of the Courthouse and Main Street. The Finnegan family moved to Rathmoyle House on the invitation of the Wilde Family. ![]()
![]()
Laburnum Lodge was set well back from the road and was therefore out of harm's way to some extent. The Free State Soldiers stationed in the house exchanged sporadic rifle fire with the Republicans who were based in the Courthouse in town. In the process, much damage was done both inside and outside the lodge. One young soldier, Glynn, was shot at the gate of the lodge and later died of his injuries. Some stories say that the soldier was brought inside Heritage House when he was shot. ![]()
![]()
After the Civil War, the lodge was acquired by the Brigidine Nuns and was used as a school for a number of years. After this, Laburnum Lodge passed into private hands.![]()
![]()
#Abbeyleix #abbeyleixheritagehouse #abbeyleix_ireland #museum #heritagemuseum #laoistourism #laois #curatortuesday
