In the early 1700s it was decided to improve the main roads and make their customers pay for using them. These pay or toll roads were called turnpike roads.
In order to pass through the turnpike, travellers would have to pay a fee or toll.
A road on which these tollgates were found was called a turnpike road. Such a road in time became known simply as a turnpike.
The Liffey Bridge
Photograph showing the Liffey Bridge in Leixlip.
The Liffey Bridge
The Liffey Bridge
Photograph showing the Liffey Bridge in Leixlip.
The new Liffey Bridge was completed shortly after 1732 and Leixlip's Main Street developed after the completion of the Dublin to Kinnegad turnpike road.
Turnpike roads were much better than country roads and horses could easily pull much heavier loads.
After Rye Bridge in Leixlip, which was a narrow humpbacked bridge at this time, the main road west took the course of the Old Hill.
Old Hill was so steep that coaches and horses had to rest before going up.
Old Hill was bypassed by Station Road around 1810.
Quiz Time!
This is a picture of Leixlip showing Old Hill as it was in the year 1840.
Look carefully and try to spot the things you have been asked to find.
The Toll House
The Toll House on Leixlip Bridge dates from this period.
In the 1730s the lowest charge for a horse was one halfpenny.
The Toll House
Photograph of The Toll House on Leixlip Bridge
The Toll House
The Toll House
Photograph of The Toll House on Leixlip Bridge
Persons travelling locally were exempted from tolls.
By 1798 wagon rates depended on their "tyre" width - the narrower, the dearer!