John 2nd Viscount de Vesci
Abbeyleix is known as the Town of the Fountains. The Fountains of Abbeyleix are intertwined with the landlord history of the town and reflect the esteem in which the de Vesci's were held. The most prominent of these is the monument to John 2nd Viscount de Vesci.John 2nd Viscount de Vesci Interestingly, there is an unusual link between the fountains of Abbeyleix and The Market House. According to an account written by W.G. Hartford in the 1960's, when John Robert, 4th Viscount de Vesci passed away, the townspeople, in time honoured fashion, held a collection to erect a fountain in his memory. Ivo de Vesci, John Robert's nephew, who had just inherited the de Vesci estate, thought it more prudent to refurbish The Market House and pledged to add the monies required to that which had been already collected for the fountain. Thus, in 1906 the Market House was refurbished and dedicated to John Robert instead of the planned fountain. This was the first of many wise decisions on the part of Ivo de Vesci and The Market House remained in use as a centre for the community from 1906 to the present day. We are grateful to Mike Hartford for this information on the wrtings of his grandfather, a most interesting man.
The Market House. This ediface had a practical use on market day and yet it was also a further reminder of the de Vesci influence in the town of Abbeyelix as it carries cut stone plaques of the de Vesci crest. The market was the lifes blood of the town. Early in the life of the new town of Abbeyleix the landlord applied for a licence to hold a market in the town. He got permission to hold six markets or fairs per year, in addition to a Saturday market. This essentially put the town on the map economically and these markets or fairs remain in the living memory of the town. The Market House is being refurbished at present and will become a dedicated library for the people of Abbeyleix. It is hoped that this work will be completed by September 2007.
The Rev Wingfield. One of the longest serving pastors in the annals of the Church of Ireland in Abbeyleix was the Rev Wingfield. His ministry lasted over forty years and it could be argued that he presided over the greatest period of change in Abbeyleix. So prominent was he that he is included in the Fountains of Abbeyelix.
The Market House. This ediface had a practical use on market day and yet it was also a further reminder of the de Vesci influence in the town of Abbeyelix as it carries cut stone plaques of the de Vesci crest. The market was the lifes blood of the town. Early in the life of the new town of Abbeyleix the landlord applied for a licence to hold a market in the town. He got permission to hold six markets or fairs per year, in addition to a Saturday market. This essentially put the town on the map economically and these markets or fairs remain in the living memory of the town. The Market House is being refurbished at present and will become a dedicated library for the people of Abbeyleix. It is hoped that this work will be completed by September 2007.
The Rev Wingfield. One of the longest serving pastors in the annals of the Church of Ireland in Abbeyleix was the Rev Wingfield. His ministry lasted over forty years and it could be argued that he presided over the greatest period of change in Abbeyleix. So prominent was he that he is included in the Fountains of Abbeyelix.
