Stradbally
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Stradbally An Sráidbhaile
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| Town | |
 Stradbally
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| Coordinates: 53°01′01″N 7°09′11″W / 53.017°N 7.153°WCoordinates: 53°01′01″N 7°09′11″W / 53.017°N 7.153°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Laois |
| Elevation | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Urban | 1,807 |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
| • Summer (DST) | IST (WEST) (UTC-1) |
| Irish Grid Reference | S569964 |
Stradbally (Irish: An Sráidbhaile, meaning "the (one) street town") is a town in County Laois, Ireland, located in the midlands of Ireland along the N80 road, a National Secondary Route, about 12 km (7 mi) from Portlaoise. It is also a townland (of 522 acres), a civil parish and historic barony. It is known for the birth of motor racing, the Steam Rally and the Electric Picnic.
Stradbally comprises a long linear street with two squares on the western side – The Market Square and The Courthouse Square. Milling was an important activity in the development of the town, but has now become obsolete and the structures have been adapted to provide a quality residential development in the centre of town. The main function of the town is that of a service centre for the surrounding agricultural hinterland. It has a number of major employers, including the McKeowns and there are also a range of services including doctors, beauticians, hairdressers, public houses, garages and small shops providing employment.
In 2012 there were reports of a Bigfoot sighting in the woods on the outskirts of the town.
The history of Stradbally reaches from the 6th century when a monastery was established at Oughaval, close to the town and within the present-day parish. Stradbally later developed under the influence of the Cosby Family, owners of Stradbally Hall located west of the main street, at the end of the 17th century.
On Thursday, 2 July 1903 the Gordon Bennett Cup ran through Stradbally. It was the first international motor race to be held in Ireland, an honorific to Selwyn Edge who had won the 1902 event in Paris driving a Napier. The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland wanted the race to be hosted in the British Isles, and their secretary, no Johnson, suggested Ireland as the venue because racing was illegal on British public roads. The editor of the Dublin Motor News, Richard J. Mecredy, suggested an area in County Kildare, and letters were sent to 102 Irish MPs, 90 Irish peers, 300 newspapers, 34 chairmen of county and local councils, 34 County secretaries, 26 mayors, 41 railway companies, 460 hoteliers, 13 PPs, plus the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Patrick Foley, who pronounced himself in favour. Local laws had to be adjusted, ergo the 'Light Locomotives (Ireland) Bill' was passed on 27 March 1903. Kildare and other local councils drew attention to their areas, whilst Queen's County declared That every facility will be given and the roads placed at the disposal of motorists during the proposed race. Eventually Kildare was chosen, partly on the grounds that the straightness of the roads would be a safety benefit. As a compliment to Ireland the British team chose to race in Shamrock green which thus became known as British racing green, although the winning Napier of 1902 had been painted Olive green.
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