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 Approved by the Irish Tourist Board |
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| Granstown Lake "Nature lovers, health enthusiasts and history buffs will benefit from the development of a 10 mile walk which will provide access to on one of the most historical areas in South Laois," wrote the Leinster Express of this pristine area.
The lake and woodlands at Grantstown have also developed a reputation as an enriching and rewarding place for fishermen to visit. The course angling is renowned and anglers travel from throughout Ireland and the UK to enjoy reeling in the Pike, the Rudd and the Tench. It is the intention of the next phase of the development that a similar reputation will be attributed to the area by historians, walkers and nature enthusiasts alike. The Foxrock Inn is 2km from Granstown Lake so why not use our on-line booking facility and enjoy the peace, tranquility and unspoilt beauty of the heart of Ireland. Slievebloom Mountains The Slieve Bloom Mountains rise steeply from the surrounding plain, covering an area of 600 square miles. An unforgettable view can be enjoyed from the top of its many summits. The area is a delight for walkers, offering a range of tracks and paths in the numerous glens. The most famous walk is the 20 mile Slieve Boom Way. The peaceful and picturesque glens are home to a wonderful oasis of flora, fauna and wildlife set in the heart of the midlands. A walking festival is held each year, normally over the May Bank Holiday. Walking tours are organised every third Sunday from April to October. The Foxrock is ideally placed as a base for these walks. For more information please contact Sean or Marian at info@foxrock-inn.com. Genealogy To trace your roots, contact our local historian - Michael O'Connor at genealogy@foxrock-inn.com. Aghaboe The first church on the site of Aghaboe was founded by St. Canice in the 6th Century and became an important religious centre. During its eventful history, it was plundered in 913, rebuilt in 1052, burnt in 1160, rebuilt in 1234 and burnt again in 1346. The tower of the present Protestant church retains original 13th century portions. Decorative Stonework was removed from the church, which stands on the site of the former Augustinian church, to adorn a folly at Heywood House, Ballinakill in 1772. Aghaboe is also known as the birthplace of the geographer St. Fergal who founded Salzburg in Austria. Donaghmore Museum Donaghmore is a workhouse museum that presents an eerie window on past workhouse conditions. Originally built as a workhouse, the museum has been restored by Avonmore. During the Great Famine it housed 1200 people who took refuge there. It is estimated that ten per cent of the local population were left destitute. Donaghmore Originally associated with an early medieval church, and then with an early Norman Fortification. It became an extensive industrial complex in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It has attractive buildings and two thriving pubs overlooking a river and an old bridge. A short distance northwest is the unique Donaghmore Workhouse Museum which depicts the story of Ireland's poor in the 1800s. Abbeyleix The elegant heritage town of Abbeyleix, centred on the spacious main street, is an example of 18th century town planning by the second Viscount de Vesci. Two de Vesci fountain memorials are located in the town. Places of interest include Heritage House, which once housed a Patrician Monastery and a boys' school as well as the splendid architecture of the town's churches. Other important buildings are South School, the Bank of Ireland, Pembroke Terrace, Knocknamoe, Market and Station Houses and old shop fronts. Although located on the main Dublin/Cork road, Abbeyleix offers many tranquil country delights such as the lord's Walk, fishing along the River Nore and a Sensory Garden. Heywood Gardens The Gardens lie in what was the most admired demesne of Co Laois at the end of the 18th Century. Although the house was destroyed by fire in 1960, the spectacular Italian Gardens can still be visited and the route is well signposted. The Gardens are one of four designed by Edward Luytens in Ireland and are magnificently located on a hillside. The centrepiece of the garden forms a fountain pool encircled by bronze turtles. A circular wall with openings to allow breathtaking views of the local countryside shelters beautiful flower arrangements. Ballacolla Late eighteenth century well-kept village which grew on the crossing of two important country roads. It has access to attractive countryside and performs well in the annual Tidy Towns Competition. Ballinakill An example of a seventeenth century market town. The ruins of Ballinakill Castle are of a late seventeenth century castle built by the Dunnes (but never inhabited) on the site of one destroyed by Cromwellian troops under Fairfax. The configuration of streets around the large rectangular square is eighteenth century. The town's entrance from Abbeyleix is marked by two trees known as toll trees where visitors to the town paid a toll. The town had important fairs, a brewery, woolen and tanning factories. Borris-In-Ossory Originally a cluster around the ruined fifteenth century Fitzpatrick castle, the village grew along the eighteenth century coach road and depended on the woolen trade. North of the village is Kyle or Cluain Ferta Molua, the site of a monastery founded by St. Lugaid or Molua who came from Limerick and died in 609. It was an important centre of learning in the seventeenth century and home of Laicead mac Baith-Banning whose works on biblical commentaries survive in manuscripts all over Dublin. Clough Late 18th century picturesque village set in the heart of the countryside. Beautiful surroundings with Clough Church built in 1770 and refurbished in 1871 being one of the main features. Built alongside St. Canice's Monastery, Aghaboe, it is of great historical significance. Situated near Grantstown Lake, a fisherman's paradise, this beautiful village is well worth a visit. Durrow Originally a Norman borough the seventeenth century Ormonds made it part of Kilkenny. It was returned to the county in 1848 by act of parliament. It is a planned estate village, developed under the patronage of the Viscounts Ashbrook. Perhaps its finest feature is the suite of buildings around the Green under the gates and battlement wall which in turn enclose a tastefully designed modern primary school and the important "castle" (1713-23) one of the last large pre-Palladian houses to be built in Ireland, and which was designed by its owner William Flower. Rathdowney Takes it's name from the rath or ring fort which until 1840 was at the end of the town square near the Church of Ireland church. It was a thirteenth century Norman manor. It developed as a town in the early nineteenth century with brewing as the main industry until 1966 when Perry's Brewery was converted into a successful meat processing plant. Birthplace of Thomas Prior, founder of the R.D.S. Portlaoise Portlaoise, the county town of Laois was once called Marybourough. In the reign of Philip and Mary was fortified as part of a plan to subdue the local chiefs, the O'Mores, but nothing remains apart from the outer wall of the tower. Emo Court A magnificent neoclassical house designed by James Gandon in 1790. It is surrounded by extensive parklands with formal lawns, a lake and woodland lawns. Stradbally The birth place of the historian John O'Hanlon. The view from the windy gap on the Stradbally Carlow road is famous. Contains the Stradbally steam museum. Roscrea This prosperous town owes its origin to the monastery founded here in the seventh century by St. Cronan. Roscrea is a good centre from walking and climbing in the Devil's Bit and Slieve Bloom mountains. Roscrea castle (sometimes known as King John's castle) dates in its present form from the thirteenth century. In the centre of the castle is Damer House. Damer House Built c. 1715 and restored by the Irish Georgian Society. The house contains a magnificent carved wooden staircase, an elegant carved stone doorway, paintings, furniture and local heritage exhibits. Templemore Templemore lies on the plain beneath the western slopes of the devils bit mountains. In the 70-acre town park are the remains of Templemore Abbey and Black castle, both of which are believed to have been founded by the knights templar. There is good fishing for brown trout on the upper reaches of the siver Suir near the town, and the lake in the town holds pike. Perch and tench. Thurles A well laid out town built across the river Suir. Bounded by the silvermines and the devils bit to the northwest and the Slieveardagh hills to the southeast the visitor here is offered rich and varied scenery. Thurles is the cathedral town of the archdiocese of Cashel and Emily. Dunmore Caves One of the finest natural limestone caves in the country, Dunmore Cave has a large number of chambers with magnificent dripstone formations. Most spectacular is the 'Market Cross' stalagmite, which is over 20 feet high. The cave is reputed to have been the site of a massacre in Viking times, and numerous bones have been found there. Kilkenny A beautiful medival town situated on both banks of the Nore. It has many historical points of interest including Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice Cathedral, Rothe house and many more. The cat laughs comedy festival and the Kilkenny Arts Festival are held annually in Kilkenny. Ballyragget The remains of a large Ormonde castle lie in this small town on the bank of the Nore. Castlecomer This attractive little town in the hilly northern part of Kilkenny lies in a wooded valley where the river Dinin is joined by a tributary from the west. |
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