Abbeyleix, an official Heritage Town of Ireland, was founded in the 18th century by Viscount de Vesci and is situated near a 12th century Cistercian monastery beside the River Nore. Today, there is a large range of historical structures still standing in and around the small village, burial grounds, early monastic buildings, Norman and mediaeval castles, churches and colonial estate houses.

The town once had a famous carpet factory - notably producing some of the carpets used on the RMS Titanic. There is a heritage house located in the old Patrician monastery schoolhouse which provides information on the town's history. Tom Cox, manager of the Heritage House is a contributor to this unique book.