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Graignamanagh

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History 

From the earliest times settlements have existed in the area where the river Duiske flows into the river Barrow. The Gaelic population called the place "Bun Dubhisce", the "Lower Blackwater", and it was from this that the name "Duiske" derived. When the great Cistercian Abbey was built early in the thirteenth century, it assumed the name of the settlement that in turn adopted a new name from the abbey, or at least the monks that occupied it. So it was that the "village..", "hamlet.." or "Grange of the monks", as Graiguenamanagh is variously translated, came to be.

The establishment of Ireland's largest Cistercian abbey, however, made it the hub of the local community and the village grew and prospered around it. Apart from the Normans, Graiguenamanagh has experienced the full impact of most events in Irish history - the Confederate Wars, 1798 Rebellion, the Great Hunger, the Young Ireland movement, the Land Wars and more. Indeed the town was at the forefront of what came to be known as the Tithe War. For those interested, Graiguenamanagh's excellent library can provide a range of books, giving greater detail on local history.

Despite the suppression of the abbey in 1536, Graiguenamanagh continued to progress. Trade had always existed up and down the river Barrow, and Graigue. Was continuously at the centre of this. With the construction of the Barrow Navigation in the eighteenth century trade increased enormously, bringing with it increased prosperity. Today, although trade has long since ceased, the same navigation system is bringing new prosperity to Graigue., in the form of leisure boating and outdoor activities.