The Laois Cyclist: Mountmellick, Laois

Mountmellick, Laois

Mountmellick in County Laois was at one time a large industrial centre and known as "the Manchester of Ireland".

Located on the Owenass River, a tributary of the Barrow, Mountmellick was a small community from the 15th Century until the arrival of the Quakers (Society of Friends) in the 17th Century.

William Edmundson brought the Quakers to Mountmellick in the mid 1600's and established a community which flourished, prospered, and grew into the town of Mountmellick. The Quaker's Cemetery is located in nearby Rosenallis.

Flour milling, Brewing, Spinning and Weaving, Tanning, and Sugar Beet harvesting were some of the industries that grew up alongside the town.

These industries though long since gone have left their mark and their legacy in and around the town.

The town has a wealth of beautiful Georgian architecture which is a testament to its previous prosperity.

The town also has a small Museum that displays "Mountmellick Work" which is a white on white style of Cotton handmade Lace unique to Mountmellick. It also houses several reminders of the "Earl Grey Scheme" where young Irish girls were taken from the Workhouse and shipped to Australia to become servants, housemaids, and brides.

Hard times indeed and a controversial and turbulent period in Irish history. The girls were shipped to Australia towards the end of the famine of the 1800's (an Gorta Mór....the Great Hunger 1845 - 1849). It's probable that somewhere close to 3 to 4 million people died, emigrated or were transported. It is difficult to put an exact figure on the numbers.

The "Ivy Chapel" just outside the town is a small hilltop graveyard on the site of a previous medieval Church which is a tranquil spot to take some time out. The Penal laws of the 1600's probably saw it's demise.

Museum Piece

The Penal Laws were also harsh to "dissenters" such as Presbyterians, Methodists, and Quakers.

The Presbyterian Church in Mountmellick closed due to lack of members but is now converted for accommodation (good reviews online) while the Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Church of Ireland Church's are still catering to their various flocks.

Not far from Mountmellick is Limetree Airfield where I photographed a veteran Spotter Plane which saw service at Normandy (thanks for allowing me in as I passed). There is also a Masonic Lodge in Mountmellick.

Hare's Corner beside the Lace Museum (Mountmellick Development Association) is a nice spot for a bite to eat. They serve good Cappuccino, tasty Scones and full meals.

Nora's Cake Shop at the Town Square also serve nice Cakes and Beverages. Mountmellick has a Heritage Trail signposted within the town and a nice Riverbank walk along the Owenass River.

The Museum display showcases the beautiful and intricate detail in the "Mountmellick Work" and is well worth taking the time to visit. Phone in advance to check opening times.

Beside Mountmellick Library is a Celtic Cross memorial to those executed for participation in the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion and another memorial to those who fell fighting in WW 1.

The memorials remember both those who fought Britain and those who fought alongside Britain and stand as a poignant reminder of Ireland's conflicted past which often set "brother against brother and sister against sister".

Statement of Adjutant, Laois Brigade, Irish Volunteers.

Due to the prosperity and industry in the town a branch of the Grand Canal was constructed to Mountmellick and was opened in 1831. It closed around 1960.

One of Mountmellick's thoroughfares is named Harbour Street which would not make sense to a visitor until you realise there used to be a Harbour on the Canal in Mountmellick.

There is an information booklet from the Heritage Council full of facts on this Canal section here :
Grand Canal Mountmellick.

Below is a clip from Downs Survey Map (1656-58) showing Mountmellick in the Barony of Tenehinch (Tinnahinch).

Mountmellick was also once served by a branch of the railway network. It closed to passengers in 1947 and goods in 1963. Below are a few more photographs from Mountmellick.

Craft Museum (MDA)