Template:FP-Bagenalstown

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The River Barrow in Bagenalstown, County Carlow

Bagenalstown

Bagenalstown is a small town on the River Barrow in County Carlow. It is also known for official purposes by the Irish language name 'Muine Bheag', reflected in that of the townland, Moneybeg.

Walter Bagenal, later Lord Walter Bagenal, decided to build a town on the site, named 'New Versailles' and ambitiously modelled after Versailles in France. However, shortly after the building began the coach route from Dublin was changed, crossing the River Barrow at Leighlinbridge instead. Bagenal abandoned his plans, having built only a courthouse and not until the arrival of the railway in 1846 could the settlement grow into a town. (Read more)