In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Killeigh like this:
KILLEIGH, a village and chapelry (formerly a post-town), in that part of the parish of GEASHILL which is in the barony of GEASHILL, KING'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 9 ¾ miles (N. W.) from Portarlington, on the road from Dublin to Birr; containing 478 inhabitants. An abbey was founded here in the 6th century, which existed till the dissolution, and in 1578 was granted, with its possessions, to Gerald, Earl of Kildare. ...
A nunnery was founded by the Warren family in the 12th century, for nuns of the order of St. Augustine; and a monastery for Grey friars was established here in the reign of Edw. I., which was granted to John Allee, at the Reformation. It contains 86 houses and a brewery and malting-house, and is a constabulary police station. Fairs are held on July 1st, and Oct. 17th. It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Kildare, annexed to the benefice of Geashill, and has a large ancient chapel. In the R. C. divisions it is in the union or district of Ballycane, or Geashill, and has a spacious chapel. Here are some remains of one of the religious houses, close to which is the entrance to a cave; and there are also some remains of a rath that formerly surrounded the village.—See GEASHILL.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Killeigh, in and County Offaly | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/28857
Date accessed: 15th May 2024
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