Clonaslee

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title: "Clonaslee" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["towns-and-villages-in-county-laois", "townlands-of-county-laois"] topic_path: "general/towns-and-villages-in-county-laois" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonaslee" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Clonaslee
native_name	Cluain na Slí
native_name_lang	ga
settlement_type	Village
image_skyline	IMG Clonaslee3232c.jpg
image_caption	Clonaslee, R422 heading west into the village
pushpin_map	Ireland
pushpin_label_position	right
pushpin_map_caption	Location in Ireland
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Ireland
subdivision_type1	Province
subdivision_name1	Leinster
subdivision_type3	County
subdivision_name3	County Laois
unit_pref	Metric
population_as_of	2022
population_total	608
population_footnotes
population_density_km2	auto
timezone1	WET
utc_offset1	+0
timezone1_DST	IST (WEST)
utc_offset1_DST	-1
coordinates
blank_name	Irish grid reference
blank_info
::

As of the 2022 census, the village had a recorded population of 608.

Name

The primary spelling of the name, Clonaslee, is associated by several sources to the Irish Cluain na Slí (translated as "pasture of the way" or "roadside meadow" or similar) and related to the village's location on ancient cross-country route.

Though this is the commonly and officially accepted version, an alternative spelling of the name, Cloneslieu, is associated by some sources to the Irish Cluain na Sléibhe (translated as "the mountain meadow").

The original name of the parish, Kilmanman, from the Irish Cill na mBanbhán or Cill Mheanman (translated as "the church of Manman"), is associated with Saint Manman who founded a church here in the 7th century.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Clonaslee_village_01.jpg" caption="Clonaslee village and church"] ::

While earlier archaeological remains suggest more ancient settlement in the area (including a ringfort in nearby Larragan townland), the modern day Clonaslee evolved from its beginnings as an Anglo-Norman town of the late-12th century. At this time the eskers and related landforms gave a great strategic advantage by providing ideal vantage points where mottes and other defensive battlements were constructed. This advantage also had a profound influence on the location of towns and villages throughout the county. From the 12th to 17th centuries, recorded history does not provide much detail on the development of Clonaslee.

The most significant period in the village's growth took place from the 16th century under the influence of the Dunnes of Brittas. This family left their mark on the form and history of the village as evidenced in its planned form and also from a number of ruins in the area. The former residence of a young branch of the family remains in ruins one mile from the village at Clara Hill. Also, near the east bank of the Clodiagh River stand the ruins of Ballinakill Castle, built in 1680 by Colonel Dunne. Throughout the 18th century, Clonaslee prospered due to its location on an important highway across Laois leading onto Munster. The proximity of Brittas - the seat of the Dunnes - was also influential as the power of this family had by now grown beyond that of a native Irish Chieftain. In 1771, Francis Dunne, then head of the Dunne Family, became a Roman Catholic and built a thatched parish chapel in the village. This was located close to the site of the present church.

The Dunne family continued to finance the construction of landmark buildings in the village. The parish church was erected in 1814 under General Dunne (known locally as 'shun-battle Ned' because of his rumoured refusal to fight at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo). The construction of the church was aided by a gift of £800 and a loan of £300 from the former Board of First Fruit. In 1830, the same board donated £50 towards the construction of Glebe House. The village continued to grow quickly from the 1800s to the 1830s. This was largely due to the development of the Mountmellick to Birr road in 1814. This period also saw the arrival of civic facilities such as the post office, police station and other offices of civil administration. The population of the village peaked at 561 inhabitants in 1841. However, in 1901 this fell to a low of 287 persons. As of the 2022 census, the population was 608.

Amenities

Local walks and trails include Slieve Bloom Forest Park, the Giant's Grave, and Brittas Lake and Forest - the latter of which is managed by Coillte. The ruined tower of Brittas Castle, largely destroyed by fire in the mid-20th century, has a gateway from Clonaslee's main street.

Clonaslee–St Manman's is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.

Notable people

Gerry Culliton, Irish international rugby union player
Evelyn Cusack, meteorologist and former head of forecasting at Met Éireann
Mick Dunne, sports journalist

References

(2022). "Sapmap Area - Settlements - Clonaslee". Central Statistics Office.
"Cluain na Slí / Clonaslee". Irish Placenames Commission.
"Villages - Clonaslee". Offaly County Council.
"Cill na mBanbhán / Kilmanman". Irish Placenames Commission.
(1995). "Archaeological Inventory of County Laois". Dublin Stationery Office.
(11 January 2019). "Brittas Forest". Coillte.
(2013). "1869 – Brittas Castle, Clonaslee, Co. Laois". Archiseek.
"Brittas House, Brittas Demesne, County Laois". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
(9 February 2019). "19 caps for Ireland, the Barbarians and a junior hurling title with Clonaslee – the amazing sporting career of Gerry Culliton".
(1 June 2023). "Midlands Weather Forecast Icon Retires".
(12 August 2002). "Mick Dunne dies, aged 73". Irish Times.

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