Mountmellick

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Mountmellick
Móinteach Mílic

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53°06′59″N 7°19′27″W / 53.116284, -7.324104

Irish grid reference
N449076

Statistics

Population (2006)

4,137

Website: www.mountmellick.net

Mountmellick (Móinteach Mílic in Irish) is a town in the north of County Laois in Ireland.

The southern approach to Mountmellick

1 History
2 Education
3 Economic activity
4 Sport
5 Transport
6 See also
7 References

[edit] History

Mountmellick was a significant industrial town before the Famine of the mid-19th century, when it was known as "little Manchester". This was partly thanks to the Grand Canal, the Mountmellick branch of which is now filled in. Mountmellick embroidery, also known as Mountmellick Lace, became one of the most popular forms of needlework during the 19th century, and examples of it fetch high prices today. The local museum displays original pieces of this craftwork.

Mountmellick was once the centre of a significant Quaker settlement, and at the time of the Famine had 8,000 people. Famous families who left at this time include the Pims, Bewleys, and Dennys. There is still a Quaker population in the town, and a Quaker meeting house. The town has numerous examples of Georgian architecture and one of the finest examples of a Georgian square in Ireland.

The town is also known for its Christmas Tree, locally famous as being the biggest year-round Christmas tree in Europe and the second biggest in the world – although it is, in fact, a metal structure and not a real tree.^[1]

[edit] Education

Mountmellick has five primary schools: St Joseph's Girls' National School and St Patrick's Boys' National School, which share a building, St Paul's National School on the Portlaoise Road, and The Rock National School,St Patricks Boys School one mile out on the Dublin road. There is also a Community School, located opposite the main square in the town square, serving secondary-age students.

[edit] Economic activity

The town's main industries are agriculture, light manufacturing, and brewing.

[edit] Sport

Mountmellick is a town which sees a lot of sporting activity. Mountmellick GAA is the town's club for Gaelic football and hurling, while other nearby Gaelic games clubs are The Rock GAA and Kilcavan.

[edit] Transport

Mountmellick railway station was opened on 2 March 1885, closed for passenger traffic on 27 January 1947, and finally closed altogether on 1 January 1963.^[2]