What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Abbeyleix Heritage House

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Abbeyleix Heritage House

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Abbeyleix Heritage House is Laois' biggest history museum, community centre and business hub. Young children go free.

Opening Hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm

Tickets are €5 for adults, €3 for Students and Seniors. Visit our website for more information at https://www.abbeyleixheritage.com/

30/10/2026

🎃 This Halloween, discover the stories that haunt Abbeyleix... 👻

With Halloween upon us, what better time to explore some of the spooky stories, local legends and folklore passed down through generations in Abbeyleix?

In Abbeyleix Folklore: Halloween & Winter Tales, local author and historian Noel Burke brings together fascinating tales rooted in the people, places and traditions of our town and surrounding area

From the mysterious Lantern Man of the old Ballinakill Road to the Gortanaclea Banshee and the ghostly White Lady of Blackhill Woods, these are stories that connect local folklore with the landscape and history of Abbeyleix

A wonderful opportunity to discover some of the eerie tales that have become part of our local heritage

📖 Available to purchase at Abbeyleix Heritage House

This Halloween, take a little piece of Abbeyleix's history home with you! 🎃

27/10/2026

📣 A reminder that our Parent and Baby/Toddler group continues tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10am here at the Heritage House, Abbeyleix. All Welcome 🤗

23/10/2026

🏆 Abbeyleix – Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town! 🏆

Huge congratulations to Abbeyleix Tidy Towns on this fantastic achievement! 🎉

A well-deserved recognition of the hard work, dedication and pride that goes into keeping our beautiful town looking its best

Thank you to everyone involved – you’ve done Abbeyleix proud! 💚👏

23/10/2026

🍀 Best of luck to Abbeyleix Tidy Towns today! 🍀

Today, we’re wishing our wonderful Abbeyleix Tidy Towns team the very best as they take part in the competition

We want to take this opportunity to thank every member of the team for their incredible hard work, dedication and commitment to keeping Abbeyleix looking so beautiful. Your efforts make such a difference to our town and our community, and we are so lucky to have you all

Best of luck today, and thank you for everything you do for Abbeyleix! 💚

22/10/2026

🍂 From the Forge: A Piece of Abbeyleix History..

As the autumn evenings draw in, we’re looking back at the people and traditional trades that helped shape life in Abbeyleix

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the McHugh brothers, John and Michael, who originated from Watercastle, Abbeyleix established an iron foundry business from a Forge in the back of John's house, number 15 New Row Abbeyleix. Their work included repairing machinery, making agricultural fittings for local farmers and producing manhole and storm-drain covers that were used along Abbeyleix's main street

The iron crosses that the McHughs crafted to mark the graves of loved ones are still standing in numerous graveyards today, including Abbeyleix and Athy, Co. Kildare

The McHugh's were sought after by all of the local farmers and business people in the are and their skills helped keep the town and surrounding countryside working, particularly at a time when local tradespeople played such an important role in everyday life

Just one example of the many craftspeople, workers and families whose skills helped shape our community that we know today 🧡

Do you remember any old workshops, forges or traditional trades in Abbeyleix? We’d love to hear your memories!

20/10/2026

📣 A reminder that our Parent and Baby/Toddler group continues tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10am here at the Heritage House, Abbeyleix. All Welcome 🤗

15/10/2026

🚲 A little light on the past..

This Laois Climate Action Festival Week, here at the Heritage House we are looking at a small object with a connection to a much bigger story

Housed here in the Heritage House archives, is this chrome plated carbide bicycle lamp from the early 20th century, which was made in Birmingham. This is a reminder of the days when bicycles were an important part of everyday life

Today, as we look for more sustainable ways to get around, cycling remains a simple way to make a difference. Often, looking into the past can inspire us to think differently about the future 🍃

Why not leave the car behind where possible, explore Abbeyleix on foot or by bike, and stop in to us here in the Heritage House to discover more of our wonderful local history 🏛

08/10/2026

🌿 Something exciting is happening at Abbeyleix Heritage House! 🌿

As part of the Laois Climate Action Festival 2026, we’re delighted to be offering FREE ENTRY to Abbeyleix Heritage House from Thursday 8th – Monday 19th October! 🎉

And there is an extra little bonus… 🚶‍♀️🚲 Visitors who walk or cycle to us will also receive a complimentary drink! 🥛☕️

Come along, explore our local history and discover the stories of Abbeyleix past 💚

☎️ For group tours, please contact us in advance to book

📍 Abbeyleix Heritage House
🌱 Laois Climate Action Festival 2026

06/10/2026

📢 A reminder that our Parent and Baby/Toddler Group continues tomorrow at 10am. All welcome 🤗

28/09/2026

📣 Meeting Room Available for Hire

Looking for a comfortable and welcoming space for your next meeting, group, class or community gathering? Our meeting room at Abbeyleix Heritage House is available to hire, right in the heart of Abbeyleix 🏛

For availability and further information, please get in touch, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Address

Abbeyleix, Co Laois
Abbeyleix

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+353578714944

Website

http://www.abbeyleixheritage.com/

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