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Abbeyleix Heritage House

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

Abbeyleix Heritage House

6 hours ago

🔍 Trivia Thursday Time! 🧠WHEN WERE THEY BORN? 🎂🕰️Think you know your historical figures? Let's put that knowledge to the test! 💭👑👉 Follow the link and take the quiz now!forms.gle/KK1MFuWoNgmjvyD #LaoisL#curatortuesdaye#abbeyleixheritagetowne#abbeyleixheritagei#abbeyleixheritagehouseh#TriviaThursdayr#worldhistorys#foundinthearchivesh#abbeyleixcarpetsr#irishheritagei#genealogya#archivesh#historys#irelande#irishirish ... See MoreSee Less

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Abbeyleix Heritage House

2 days ago

📚 UPDATE ✨Back in December 2024, we shared photographs of copybooks belonging to Herbert and Samuel Griffin, former students of Preston School in Abbeyleix 🏫. We're delighted to share that Herbert’s granddaughter, Pauline Cole, recently paid us a visit. She brought along some wonderful new information about Herbert, including a heartfelt letter ✉️ written to him in 1951 by his employer, Colonel Browne Clayton of Browne’s Hill Estate in Carlow 🏡. Herbert served there as a land steward, and also worked at Roundwood House in Mountrath 🌳.The letter was written in 1951, on blue paper, and is difficult to make out. It reads:‘Dear Griffin,I was too full to say all that I had intended to on Friday evening so I can only try to put it in writing very inadequately I fear.I want to thank you for all that you did for us and for Browne’s Hill during the past 6 years and to tell you how very much we appreciated all your efforts. No one ever had a more loyal & hard working steward and if it had not been for you I would have had to give up some years ago.If you ever require any help in any way on a personal accommodation I feel sure that you will let me know & rest assured that I will do everything in my power to assist you.Again thanking you for all that you have done for us and it is a very great deal indeed.Yours very sincerely,William Browne Clayton.’👤 William Browne Clayton, born in 1906, was a member of the Browne-Clayton family of Carlow 🏡. The family originally came to Ireland during the Cromwellian conquest ⚔️ and were granted land. Unusually for the time, the Browne-Claytons appeared to be well-regarded by the local community - a contrast to the many landlords who imposed high rents and harsh conditions on their tenants. In later years, William moved to live in England 🇬🇧.📰 Pauline also kindly shared a fascinating newspaper clipping from 1947, detailing a court case involving Herbert ⚖️. He had accused a woman of using offensive language toward him, and she responded by filing a cross-summons, alleging assault. The court ultimately ruled in Herbert’s favour ✅.🙏 We’re very grateful to Pauline for taking the time to visit us and for sharing even more valuable pieces of Herbert’s story! 💬📘 To explore Herbert and his brother Samuel’s copybooks—and learn more about their lives—click the link below: www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1005585398275049&id=100064707935227 #Laois #curatortuesday #abbeyleixheritagetown #abbeyleixheritage #abbeyleixheritagehouse #carlow #Wexford #prestonschool ... See MoreSee Less

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Abbeyleix Heritage House

6 days ago

📸 Pictured here are the staff of the Naas Carpet Factory — later united with Abbeyleix under the Kildare Carpet Company in 1909 🧵. The photo comes from 'Hidden in the Pile' by Mairéad Johnson 📚, from the author's own collection.👩‍🏭 Based in the former Sisters of Mercy convent, the Naas factory employed many young women and girls, producing carpets with a distinct style, much like the carpets produced in Abbeyleix 🎨🪡. In 1904, 18 workers were on site — including two young boys, manager Mr. William Wild, who was born in England 🇬🇧, and weaving forewoman Bridget Dunny, a proud Kildare native 🇮🇪.🧶 Unlike Abbeyleix’s horizontal Flower looms, Naas used upright looms — a key difference that remained even after amalgamation, as Abbeyleix was slow to change. Both would close in 1912/1913, due to a combination of reasons. In particular, the Abbeyleix factory was neglected in comparison to Naas, and along with poor management, material shortages, and director disputes, these would all contribute to the closure of both factories. #NaasCarpetFactory #AbbeyleixCarpetFactory #IrishTextiles #HiddenInThePile #AbbeyleixCarpets #IrishHeritage #WomenInCraft #Laois #abbeyleixheritagetown #abbeyleixheritagehouse #foundinthearchives ... See MoreSee Less

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Abbeyleix Heritage House

1 week ago

TRIVIA THURSDAYThis week's quiz is about the Titanic. The Abbeyleix Carpet factory employed local women and girls that made several carpets for the ship. Tragically, the factory's clerk, William Gillespie, was lost in the Titanic disaster, on his way to expand the market for Abbeyleix carpets on the far side of the Atlantic. He boarded at Titanic's first port, Southampton. To test your knowledge and to learn more event the tragedy, follow the link:forms.gle/YNgLT #Laoisf#curatortuesday##abbeyleixheritagetowne#abbeyleixheritageb#abbeyleixheritagehousei#TriviaThursday##worldhistoryy#Titanici#Titanici#Titanicit#titanicmuseum #TitanicHistory##titanicbelfast##titaniccobhs#titanicshipbh #titanicship ... See MoreSee Less

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