Athy
Encyclopedia
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman
settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale
.
The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century. The completion of the Grand Canal
in 1791, linking here with the River Barrow
, and the arrival of the railway in 1846, illustrate the importance of the town as a commercial centre under English rule . In fact, from early on in its history Athy was a garrison town loyal to the Crown. English garrisons stayed in the Military Barracks in Barrack Lane after the Crimean War and contributed greatly to the towns commerce. Home for centuries to English soldiers, Athy gave more volunteer soldiers to the Great War of 1914-18 than any other of similar size town in Ireland.
The town is twinned since 2003 with French town of Grandvilliers
(département Oise
-Picardy). The French twinning committee is named "La Balad'Irlandaise" . Towns official visits are each two years. Colleges are organising once a year students exchanges. Musicians from Athy often go to Grandvilliers.
White's Castle, a tower house
built in 1417 by the Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare
is now a private residence, and is said to be opening soon for public visits under its new owner.
There is a market house dating from around 1780 in the town square, where, in 1798 "the first wooden triangle was set up on which the United Irishmen were spreadeagled and flogged by the militia".
Seven kilometers south of Athy is Levitstown (originally Lyvetiston), a hamlet along the diverted River Barrow with Levitstown Mill and Levitstown House, a country house. The village was the location of a well-known skirmish in the early 16th century between the followers of the Earl of Ormonde and those of the FitzGeralds, the Earls of Kildare, in which 17 men and women were slaughtered.
ran through Athy. It was the first international motor race to be held in United Kingdom of Great Britain and 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, Claude Johnson, suggested Ireland as the venue because racing was illegal on British public roads. The editor of the Dublin Motor News, Richard 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.
The route consisted of two loops that comprised a figure of eight. The first was a 52 miles (83.7 km) loop that included Kilcullen
, The Curragh
, Kildare
, Monasterevin
, Stradbally and Athy, followed by a 40 miles (64.4 km) loop through Castledermot
, Carlow
and Athy again. The race started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads (53.0853°N 6.82°W) near Calverstown
on the contemporary N78
heading north, then followed the N9 north; the N7 west; the N80
south; the N78
north again; the N9 south; the N80
north; the N78
north again. Competitors were started at seven minute intervals and had to follow bicycles through the 'control zones' in each town. The 328 miles (528 km) race was won by the famous Belgian Camille Jenatzy
, driving a Mercedes in German colours.
The town is located on the N78 national secondary road
where it crosses the R417
regional road
. In 2010 the N78 was re-aligned so that it no longer heads from Athy towards Kilcullen and Dublin via Ardscull, but now connects with the M9 motorway near Mullamast. The old Athy-Kilcullen section of the road previously known as the N78 is now the R418.
Athy is connected to the Irish rail network
via the Dublin–Waterford
main line. Athy railway station
opened on 4 August 1846 and closed for goods traffic on 6 September 1976. There is a disused siding to the Tegral Slate factory (formerly Asbestos Cement factory). This is all that is left of the former branch to Wolfhill colliery. This side line was built by the United Kingdom government in 1918 due to wartime shortage of coal in Ireland. The concrete bridge over the River Barrow on this branch is one of the earliest concrete railway under bridges in Ireland.
Bus Éireann
and JJ Kavanagh's
also provide frequent services to Athy.
, who was born not far from Athy in Kilkea House
. The exhibit is housed in the Athy Heritage Centre, which has a collection of artifacts from Athy's past as well as some interesting articles from Shackleton's expeditions. Among the most impressive is a scale model of the Endurance
. Each year the Centre arranges and hosts the Shackleton Autumn School, with speakers from around the world to speak on different aspects of Antarctica and Shackleton's life in particular.
Athy also has Cuan Mhuire
one of the biggest alcohol, drug and gambling recovery centres in the country near the town. This Charity was started here in 1965 by Sr Consilio who came to join the Sisters of Mercy
in 1959. The Cuan Mhuire
charity has since spread from Athy to elsewhere in Ireland.
Many locals have worked in the national media from award winning writer and broadcaster John MacKenna
to Newstalk morning presenter Ger Gilroy. Athy native Olivia Doyle is a well-known journalist and was News Editor at the Sunday Tribune
up to 2007 when she became Arts Editor of the weekly national newspaper. Another Athy person who works for the same newspaper is the author and sports writer Ewan MacKenna, who ghost-wrote an acclaimed biography of the Armagh gaelic footballer Oisin McConville. Athy native Billy Hughes is a respected international film maker.
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
.
The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century. The completion of the Grand Canal
Grand Canal of Ireland
The Grand Canal is the southernmost of a pair of canals that connect Dublin, in the east of Ireland, with the River Shannon in the west,via Tullamore and a number of other villages and towns, the two canals nearly encircling Dublin's inner city. Its sister canal on the Northside of Dublin is the...
in 1791, linking here with the River Barrow
River Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
, and the arrival of the railway in 1846, illustrate the importance of the town as a commercial centre under English rule . In fact, from early on in its history Athy was a garrison town loyal to the Crown. English garrisons stayed in the Military Barracks in Barrack Lane after the Crimean War and contributed greatly to the towns commerce. Home for centuries to English soldiers, Athy gave more volunteer soldiers to the Great War of 1914-18 than any other of similar size town in Ireland.
The town is twinned since 2003 with French town of Grandvilliers
Grandvilliers, Oise
Grandvilliers is a small town in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise....
(département Oise
Oise
Oise is a department in the north of France. It is named after the river Oise.-History:Oise is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
-Picardy). The French twinning committee is named "La Balad'Irlandaise" . Towns official visits are each two years. Colleges are organising once a year students exchanges. Musicians from Athy often go to Grandvilliers.
Historical features
Of the many church ruins in Athy, St. Michael's is perhaps the most ancient. It was built in the 14th century. Some of the vestry and sidewalls have disappeared, but there is still some of the original church remaining. The dedication to St. Michael is derived from the St. Michael family who were lords of Athy and it is quite probable that it was this family who were the founders of the church.White's Castle, a tower house
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
built in 1417 by the Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare
Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare
Gerald Mór FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, KG , known variously as "Garret the Great" or "The Great Earl" , was Ireland's premier peer...
is now a private residence, and is said to be opening soon for public visits under its new owner.
There is a market house dating from around 1780 in the town square, where, in 1798 "the first wooden triangle was set up on which the United Irishmen were spreadeagled and flogged by the militia".
Seven kilometers south of Athy is Levitstown (originally Lyvetiston), a hamlet along the diverted River Barrow with Levitstown Mill and Levitstown House, a country house. The village was the location of a well-known skirmish in the early 16th century between the followers of the Earl of Ormonde and those of the FitzGeralds, the Earls of Kildare, in which 17 men and women were slaughtered.
The birth of Motor racing
On Thursday, 2 July 1903 the Gordon Bennett CupGordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
ran through Athy. It was the first international motor race to be held in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
, an honorific to Selwyn Edge
Selwyn Edge
Selwyn Francis Edge was an Australian businessman, racing driver, and record-breaker. He is principally associated with selling and racing De Dion-Bouton, Gladiator; Clemént-Panhard, Napier and AC cars.-Personal life:...
who had won the 1902 event
Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
driving a Napier
Napier & Son
D. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
. The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
wanted the race to be hosted in the British Isles, and their secretary, Claude Johnson, suggested Ireland as the venue because racing was illegal on British public roads. The editor of the Dublin Motor News, Richard Mecredy, suggested an area in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
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
Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, one of the suffragan dioceses of the Archdiocese of Dublin. The episcopal title takes its name from the towns of Kildare and Old Leighlin in the province of Leinster, Ireland.The see is...
, 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
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
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
British racing green
British racing green or BRG, a colour similar to Brunswick green, hunter green, forest green or moss green , takes its name from the green international motor racing colour of Britain. Although there is still some debate as to an exact hue for BRG, currently the term is used to denote a spectrum of...
, although the winning Napier of 1902
Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
had been painted Olive green.
The route consisted of two loops that comprised a figure of eight. The first was a 52 miles (83.7 km) loop that included Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, The Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
, Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
, Monasterevin
Monasterevin
Situated 63 km from Dublin on the R445 road, Monasterevin has been relieved of much through traffic by the opening in 2004 of a new section of the M7 motorway bypassing the town on the N7 Dublin to Limerick route...
, Stradbally and Athy, followed by a 40 miles (64.4 km) loop through Castledermot
Castledermot
Castledermot is an inland village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The N9 road from Dublin to Waterford passes through the village but completion of a bypass is due during 2010.-Demographics:...
, Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
and Athy again. The race started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads (53.0853°N 6.82°W) near Calverstown
Calverstown
Calverstown is a small village in County Kildare, Ireland. It lies south of the town of Kilcullen and about from each of the towns of Athy, Kildare, Naas and Newbridge. It is an old settlement located close to the archaeological sites of Dún Ailinne and Old Kilcullen. The village has a stream...
on the contemporary N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
heading north, then followed the N9 north; the N7 west; the N80
N80 road (Ireland)
The N80 road is a national secondary road in Ireland that runs southeastwards from its junction with the N52 and R443 in the town of Tullamore in County Offaly, to the N11 at Ballynahallin, just north of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, a distance of 116 km...
south; the N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
north again; the N9 south; the N80
N80 road (Ireland)
The N80 road is a national secondary road in Ireland that runs southeastwards from its junction with the N52 and R443 in the town of Tullamore in County Offaly, to the N11 at Ballynahallin, just north of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, a distance of 116 km...
north; the N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
north again. Competitors were started at seven minute intervals and had to follow bicycles through the 'control zones' in each town. The 328 miles (528 km) race was won by the famous Belgian Camille Jenatzy
Camille Jenatzy
Camille Jenatzy was a Belgian race car driver. He is known for breaking the land speed record three times and being the first man to break the 100 km/h barrier....
, driving a Mercedes in German colours.
Transport
National secondary road
A national secondary road is a category of road in Ireland. These roads form an important part of the national route network, but are secondary to the main arterial routes which are classified as national primary roads. National secondary roads are designated with route numbers higher than those...
where it crosses the R417
R417 road
The R417 road is a regional road in Ireland, which runs north-south from the R445 in Monasterevin, County Kildare to the R448 in Carlow, County Carlow....
regional road
Regional road
A regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is a...
. In 2010 the N78 was re-aligned so that it no longer heads from Athy towards Kilcullen and Dublin via Ardscull, but now connects with the M9 motorway near Mullamast. The old Athy-Kilcullen section of the road previously known as the N78 is now the R418.
Athy is connected to the Irish rail network
Rail transport in Ireland
Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
via the Dublin–Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
main line. Athy railway station
Athy railway station
Athy railway station serves the town of Athy in County Kildare. The single track north and south of the station splits to provide two platforms. Platform 1, next to the station building, car park and pedestrian entrance, is used where possible for passenger services; only when two trains are in the...
opened on 4 August 1846 and closed for goods traffic on 6 September 1976. There is a disused siding to the Tegral Slate factory (formerly Asbestos Cement factory). This is all that is left of the former branch to Wolfhill colliery. This side line was built by the United Kingdom government in 1918 due to wartime shortage of coal in Ireland. The concrete bridge over the River Barrow on this branch is one of the earliest concrete railway under bridges in Ireland.
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann provides bus services in Ireland with the exception of those operated entirely within the Dublin Region, which are provided by Dublin Bus. Bus Éireann, established as a separate company in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann. The logo of Bus Éireann incorporates a red Irish...
and JJ Kavanagh's
JJ Kavanagh and Sons
JJ Kavanagh and Sons is Ireland's largest private coach operator. It was founded in 1919 by J.J. Kavanagh with the operation of a service connecting Urlingford with Kilkenny City....
also provide frequent services to Athy.
Places of interest
- Crom-a-Boo Bridge
- Kilkea CastleKilkea CastleKilkea Castle is located just northwest of Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland near the village of Kilkea on the R418 regional road from Athy to Tullow. It was a medieval stronghold of the Fitzgeralds, earls of Kildare.- History of the Castle :...
- White's Castle
- Minches Tower
- The Moate of Ardscull
- St. Vincent's Hospital - formerly a Workhouse
- Athy Court House
- Athy Town Hall
- Athy People's Park
- Medieval St. Michael's Church (in old cemetery)
Amenities
Athy is at the confluence of the River Barrow and Grand Canal, which are amenities for Athy and enable a number of sporting and natural pursuits.Athy Heritage Centre
Athy contains the only permanent exhibition on Ernest ShackletonErnest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, CVO, OBE was a notable explorer from County Kildare, Ireland, who was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration...
, who was born not far from Athy in Kilkea House
Kilkea Castle
Kilkea Castle is located just northwest of Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland near the village of Kilkea on the R418 regional road from Athy to Tullow. It was a medieval stronghold of the Fitzgeralds, earls of Kildare.- History of the Castle :...
. The exhibit is housed in the Athy Heritage Centre, which has a collection of artifacts from Athy's past as well as some interesting articles from Shackleton's expeditions. Among the most impressive is a scale model of the Endurance
Endurance
Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise...
. Each year the Centre arranges and hosts the Shackleton Autumn School, with speakers from around the world to speak on different aspects of Antarctica and Shackleton's life in particular.
Rehabilitation
Cuan MhuireAthy also has Cuan Mhuire
Cuan Mhuire
Cuan Mhuire is a charitable drug, alcohol and gambling rehabilitation organisation in Ireland. Cuan Mhuire offers a comprehensive, structured, abstinence based, residential programme to persons suffering from alcohol, other chemical dependencies and gambling. Cuan Mhuire was founded by Sr. Consilio...
one of the biggest alcohol, drug and gambling recovery centres in the country near the town. This Charity was started here in 1965 by Sr Consilio who came to join the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
in 1959. The Cuan Mhuire
Cuan Mhuire
Cuan Mhuire is a charitable drug, alcohol and gambling rehabilitation organisation in Ireland. Cuan Mhuire offers a comprehensive, structured, abstinence based, residential programme to persons suffering from alcohol, other chemical dependencies and gambling. Cuan Mhuire was founded by Sr. Consilio...
charity has since spread from Athy to elsewhere in Ireland.
Communications
Athy has few local media outlets. What's On Athy is a monthly glossy magazine containing listings for events in Athy and South Kildare, along with feature articles on matters of local interest and people. It publishes interviews and an archive of old photographs. What's On is distributed free and may be obtained widely, including from the Heritage Centre and Community Library, both located in Emily Square in the town centre. The magazine is available online http://www.whatsonathy.com. Otherwise local news can only be found in county-wide publications and radio stations. However, attempts are under way to establish a network of local programme makers and podcasters http://AthyRadio.com.Many locals have worked in the national media from award winning writer and broadcaster John MacKenna
John MacKenna
John MacKenna is an Irish playwright and novelist.MacKenna taught for a number of years before working as a producer at RTÉ Radio in 1980...
to Newstalk morning presenter Ger Gilroy. Athy native Olivia Doyle is a well-known journalist and was News Editor at the Sunday Tribune
Sunday Tribune
The Sunday Tribune was an Irish Sunday broadsheet newspaper published by Tribune Newspapers plc. It was edited in its final years by Nóirín Hegarty, who changed both the tone and the physical format of the newspaper from broadsheet to tabloid. Former editors include Conor Brady, Vincent Browne,...
up to 2007 when she became Arts Editor of the weekly national newspaper. Another Athy person who works for the same newspaper is the author and sports writer Ewan MacKenna, who ghost-wrote an acclaimed biography of the Armagh gaelic footballer Oisin McConville. Athy native Billy Hughes is a respected international film maker.
People
- Philip CrosthwaitePhilip CrosthwaitePhilip Crosthwaite was an early settler of San Diego, California and Rosarito, Baja California.-Early life:...
(December 27, 1825–February 19, 1903) was an early settler of San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and Rosarito, Baja California. Fought and wounded in the Mexican War. Became the mayor of San Diego. - John MinihanJohn Minihan (photographer)John Minihan is an Irish photographer, born in Dublin in 1946 and raised in Athy, County Kildare. At the age of 12 he was brought to live in London, and went on to become an apprentice photographer with the Daily Mail. At the age of 15 he won the Evening Standard amateur photography competition....
who was Samuel Beckett'sSamuel BeckettSamuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
official photographer, and was originally from Athy, took a series of world famous photographs of the town. Beginning in the early sixties this body of work showed the changes in the town from that time. - Jack Wall is the local TD for the town. Athy has a tradition of returning a Labour PartyLabour Party (Ireland)The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
candidate. - Irish poet Patrick KavanaghPatrick KavanaghPatrick Kavanagh was an Irish poet and novelist. Regarded as one of the foremost poets of the 20th century, his best known works include the novel Tarry Flynn and the poems Raglan Road and The Great Hunger...
famously referred to Athy in his poem "Lines written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin", as a "far-flung town". The town is also recalled in the well-known folk songs "Johnny I Hardly Knew YeJohnny I Hardly Knew Ye"Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye" is a popular traditional Irish anti-war and anti-recruiting song. It is generally dated to the early 19th century, when Irish troops served the British East India Company...
", "Lannigans Ball" and "We're on the Road to Sweet Athy". Among Athy's many famous inhabitants are Liam O'FlynnLiam O'FlynnLiam O'Flynn is a master uilleann piper and prominent Irish folk musician. In addition to an impressive solo career and his work with the Irish traditional group Planxty, O'Flynn has recorded with many prominent international musical artists, including Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Enya,...
of PlanxtyPlanxtyPlanxty is an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s, consisting initially of Christy Moore , Dónal Lunny , Andy Irvine , and Liam O'Flynn...
, the award winning writer John MacKennaJohn MacKennaJohn MacKenna is an Irish playwright and novelist.MacKenna taught for a number of years before working as a producer at RTÉ Radio in 1980...
, the singer Jack LJack LukemanJack Lukeman , usually simply known as Jack L, is an Irish songwriter, musician, record producer, vocal artist and broadcaster known to perform in English, Irish, French, German, Czechoslovakian and Maori....
, and You're A StarYou're A StarYou're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
finalists The Sullivan Brothers. - Johnny MarrJohnny MarrJohnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
- Influential musician, with Morrisey formed the SmithsThe SmithsThe Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, his parents were born in the Athy area, his mother from CastledermotCastledermotCastledermot is an inland village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The N9 road from Dublin to Waterford passes through the village but completion of a bypass is due during 2010.-Demographics:...
and his father from Kilkea - James Joyce's novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young ManA Portrait of the Artist as a Young ManA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a semi-autobiographical novel by James Joyce, first serialised in the magazine The Egoist from 1914 to 1915, and published first in book format in 1916 by B. W. Huebsch, New York. The first English edition was published by the Egoist Press in February 1917...
contains a character named Athy, who was named after the town. - Ernest ShackletonErnest ShackletonSir Ernest Henry Shackleton, CVO, OBE was a notable explorer from County Kildare, Ireland, who was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration...
, polar explorer was born in KilkeaKilkeaKilkea , is a village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The R418 regional road from Athy to Tullow passes through the village.-See also:* Kilkea Castle* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
near Athy.
Sport
- Athy GAAAthy GAAAthy GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Athy, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, winner of six county senior football championships.-History:...
, celebrating a long and proud tradition - Athy Golf Club http://www.athygolfclub.com/
- TriATHY - Ireland's Fastest Triathlon http://www.triathy.com
- Athy Rugby ClubAthy Rugby ClubAthy Rugby Football Club was founded in 1880 and plays its home games at The Showgrounds, Athy, County Kildare. The club currently play in Leinster League Division 2B of the Leinster League and field a 1st, 2nd and 3rd XV's as well as a U19's and youth teams from U17's to U6's. The club also...
, founded in 1880 and five time winner of the Provincial Towns Cup - Inland Waterways Association - North Barrow Branch http://nbarrow.iwai.ie/
- Athy Tennis Club
- Athy Town AFC (Association Football Club)
- Athy also has coarse fishing on the Grand Canal and the River Barrow.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kildare)
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Market Houses in IrelandMarket Houses in the Republic of IrelandMarket houses are a notable feature of many Irish towns with varying styles of architecture, size and ornamentation making for a most interesting feature of the streetscape. Originally there were three, four or even five bays on the ground floor which were an open arcade. An upper floor was...
- Duke of LeinsterDuke of LeinsterDuke of Leinster is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and the premier dukedom in that peerage. The title refers to Leinster, but unlike the province the title is pronounced "Lin-ster"...
Further reading
- A Short History of Athy (1999) by Frank Taaffe, published by Athy Heritage Company Limited
External links
- Athy, Kildare County Council
- TriAthy website (triathlon information)
- Cuan Mhuire Web Site
- Official site of Grandvilliers twinning committee
- Official site of Athy Rugby Football Club
- Aontas Ogra Official Website
- Athy Film Club
- AthyLive.com - Information about community groups and upcoming events
- - Local free monthly glossy magazine also available as a paper edition