Emo is a small village situated on the R422 just 4 kms.from the M7 motorway. An ideal place for a relaxing afternoon, it is a popular tourist destination close to Emo Court with it’s extensive gardens, lake and almost one thousand acres of way marked forest walks. There is a shop, pub, church, new National school ,recently opened Old school Play school,G,A.A. playing pitch, health centre, communit centre, new Restaurant and excellent way marked walk facilities in our area.Also the much visited historic Emo Court House and grounds. A mix of new and older style homes give an overall feel of a well settled community. Emo village is unspoiled and has many interesting historical features.
History:
The village was reputedly named after Christopher Emo R.I.P. when he lived in the area. The entrance to Emo Court is in the village centre through the estate gates. Emo Court is of historic and architectural importance designed by James Gandon and built in mid 1700s.
St.Pauls church in village centre is Gothic in style [1700s] with original features intact i.e. stained glass windows, marble altars, baptismal font and outside fine Celtic crosses in the surrounding church cemetery. Opposite St.Pauls is a unique building known locally as the pony shed.This building was donated in 1800s by James Dunne R.I.P. a local. This allowed church goers house their ponies whilst attending St.Pauls church across the road.
Alexander Luttrell emigrated from Emo Laois to Ontario Canada in late 1800s and named his adoptive area Emo.For more info Google Emo Canada.