21st Century
Today, the town serves as a service centre for the local farming community; hosts some light industry, including sand and gravel extraction in the surrounding area; and is seen increasingly as a Dublin commuter town, particularly since the improvement of the N6/M6 and the extension of the M4 motorway west of the city.
The canal branch closed in the 1960s and the basin is now dry. The harbour buildings, however, have survived and are now in use as offices and workspace.
Although whiskey production ended at Locke's Distillery in the 1950s, the buildings survived and were reopened as a visitor attraction. Distillation has recently recommenced.
Kilbeggan Racecourse is around 1 kilometre north of the town. It is Ireland's only all-National Hunt course.
Kilbeggan is home to Mercy Secondary School, which stands on the Dublin Road. It is linked to the Mercy Convent, situated in the town.
Durrow Abbey is located around 4 kilometres south of the town, just across the county boundary with Offaly.
Read more about this topic: Kilbeggan
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“But countless plagues wander among men; for earth is full of evils, and the sea is full.”
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