John 2nd Viscount de Vesci. The most prominent of the Fountains of Abbeyleix is the fountain in the main square dedicated to John 2nd Viscount, the town's founder. Prior to 1906 this monument stood alone in the main square in a commanding position. Built by public subscription, the monument proclaims the achievement of the 2nd Viscount. It also had a practical use as a drinking trough for horses, this being the most common form of transportation at the time the fountain was built. In 1906 the monument and fountain had to move aside, as it were, and share the square with The Market House.