Abbeyshrule, County Longford
Map of Longford outlining Abbeyshrule
This image highlights the location of Abbeyshrule in County Longford.
Map of Longford outlining Abbeyshrule
Map of Longford outlining Abbeyshrule
This image highlights the location of Abbeyshrule in County Longford.
Abbeyshrule is situated in a valley on the River Inny in Longford. It is thought to take its name from a combination of the English word 'Abbey' referring to its 12th century Cistercian abbey and the old Gaelic word 'sruth' meaning 'stream' or 'river'. The village has the man-made Royal Canal running through it on its route from Dublin to the Shannon.
Clonbrin Shield
Bronze artefacts such as the Clonbrin Shield are evidence of pre-Christian habitation. This image shows a reconstruction of the leather shield from Clonbrin, by Steven Peffley.
Photograph by Matthew AmtClonbrin Shield
Photograph by Matthew Amt
Photograph by Matthew Amt
Clonbrin Shield
Bronze artefacts such as the Clonbrin Shield are evidence of pre-Christian habitation. This image shows a reconstruction of the leather shield from Clonbrin, by Steven Peffley.
Photograph by Matthew AmtEvidence of human habitation in Abbeyshrule comes from a very early period. The discovery of a Bronze Age shield in 1906 provides evidence of pre-Christian habitation. This shield is called the Clonbrin Shield and is on exhibition in the National Museum. Crosses dating from the 9th century have been found in the cemetry in Abbeyshrule.
Although it is a small village, it is home to the only airfield in the county of Longford. Abbeyshrule is definitely an interesting place and we will look at it a bit more closely now. Some features that we will be looking at include the Cistercian Abbey ruins and the famous Whitworth Aqueduct.