There was a settlement at Abbeyleix as early as 1183, that grew up near the River Nore, around a Cistercian monastery -which gives the town its name. Modern Abbeyleix is one of the oldest planned estate towns in Ireland. It was largely built in the 18th century by Viscount de Vesci. The Nore regularly flooding made the town an unhealthy place to live. Around 1790, John Vesey determined that the town was not suitable for his tenants, and began to design a new one. The old town was leveled, and the residents moved to the new one. A memorial to the 2nd Viscount de Vesci, paid for by subscriptions, is in the town center. It features a water trough for horses. Today, there is a large range of historical structures still standing in and around the small heritage town - ancient ring forts, burial grounds, churches and estate houses. The town once had a carpet factory, established in 1904 by Yvo de Vesci, the 5th Viscount – notably producing some of the carpets used on the RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic. Heritage House is the heritage centre, with visitor information and an exhibition on the county's history and local attractions. Original antique carpets and vintage costumes are on display alongside archaeological and historical artefacts.
Transport
Access to the M8 motorway to Cork is provided via the R433 road, while the N77 road links the town with the Dublin-Limerick M7 and to Kilkenny. Abbeyleix railway station opened on 1 March 1865 and closed on 1 January 1963. Bus Éireann's expressway service between Dublin and Cork ceased to serve Abbeyleix on 30 June 2012. As an interim measure until 11 August 2012 Bus Éireann operated a shuttle service to connect with Expressway services at Portlaoise. Slieve Bloom Coaches also have a route from Borris-in-Ossory to Portlaoise which serves the town.
Amenities
There is a District Hospital in the town, and a number of shops and pubs. Father Breen Park has fields for soccer and other sports, while the adjacent CYMS hall is home to a number of clubs, including boxing and Tae-Kwon-Do House also provides guided tours of the museum and runs workshops throughout the year. The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel is part of the Magnuson Hotels chain. The "Lords Walk Loop" is a 2.4 kilometer loop that traces an old walking route taken by the De Vesci Family to reach the local church and railway station.
Buildings of note
Abbeyleix Market House is a five-bay, four storey building which was previously used as a Fire Station and Library. It has been renovated as a state-of-the-art library and exhibition centre.
Abbeyleix House and the de Vesci estate is located on the Ballacolla road. As of 2019, the estate was being marketed for sale, with an asking price of ε20 million.
Heritage House is a visitor centre which houses a museum and model railway. There is also a large playground on the property. This 19th-century building, once the North Boys School, is listed on the Register of Protected Structures.
The Abbeyleix South National School is a 19th-century building, not open to the public.
Abbeyleix Further Education Centre, located on the Mountrath Road, is housed in a former Technical School and is a good example of the school architecture of the time.
Sport
club is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. Abbeyleix Golf Club and Abbeyleix Lawn Tennis Club were established in 1895 and 1909 respectively. Other sports clubs in the area include a hockey club and soccer club.
