Athenry Off The Beaten Path

  The Fields of Athenry
by Cruefan
 
  • The Fields of Athenry
      The Fields of Athenry
    by Cruefan
  • thanks to stationworld
      thanks to stationworld
    by sourbugger
  • Market cross.
      Market cross.
    by leics
 

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Don't miss looking at the train station.
sourbugger profile photo

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sourbugger 2954 reviews
thanks to stationworld

Athenry train station is one of those places that looks as if it has been preserved as a 'museum' , but just has had zero investment for so long it feels that old.

The wooden canopies on both sides give in a 'picture postcard' feel and there are a number of old photographs of the place hanging around as well.

Update 2010 : new footbridge rather spoils the look now, but the essential feelof the place has been preserved.

Updated Nov 15, 2010

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Market cross.
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leics 1902 reviews
Market cross.

Look at the market cross............it's in the market square. It's unusual, because it has a depiction of the crucifixion. Apparently, it's the only one like this apart from on the Continent. Sadly, it's in poor condition and, perhaps, needs removing and conserving before it deteriorates any more.

Written Feb 17, 2006

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 Historical Travel
 Religious Travel

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Gaelic hardball
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sourbugger 2954 reviews

Although this part of Ireland is littered with outdoor 'hardball' courts, i've never actually seen one in use.

The game is similar to 'fives' or squast played with the hand rather than a racket.

I thought the Athenry court was quite unusual, to say the least.

The back wall was formed by the main wall to the back of the ruined Abbey and the viewing area consisted of about six steps built up over a stream on the oppposite side of a road !

Find it by walking along the road on the town side of the ruined Abbey.

Written Nov 12, 2005

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The Fields of Athenry
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Cruefan 102 reviews
The Fields of Athenry

Written by Peter St. John in the 1980's. The Fields of Athenry were written about the struggle between Ireland and England. The lyrics go.

By the lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling,
Michael, they have taken you away.
For you stole Trevelyan's corn,
So the young might see the morn,
Now the prison ship lies waiting in the bay.

Chorus
Low lie the fields of Athenry,
Where once we watched the small free birds fly.
Our love was on the wing,
We had dreams and songs to sing,
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

By the lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling,
Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free.
'gainst the famine and the Crown
I rebelled, they cut me down.
Now you must raise our child with dignity.

Chorus

By the lonely harbour wall, she watched the last star falling,
As the prison ship sailed against the sky,
For she'll live and hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay.
It's so lonely around the fields of Athenry.

Chorus

You can see the fields of Athenry almost anywhere around the area.

Written Jun 3, 2005

Related to:
 Family Travel

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Raheen Woods Hotel

 2 Reviews and 95 Opinions  Just outside the town of Athenry, this hotel is a great location for exploring County Galway. It's... 

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 Written by Peter St. John in the 1980's. The Fields of Athenry were written about the struggle between Ireland and England. The lyrics go.By the lonely prison... 

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Top 4 Athenry Writers

1

I promise not to sing

sourbugger profile photo

 Athenry (pronounced ath - en - rye and not ath-hen-ree) is known the world over for the song 'the feilds of athenry'. It's a small little place - but it packs in sacks of history. 

2

Athenry

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  Athenry was my home base for my Ireland 2005 trip. My wife and I stayed at her aunt and uncle's house. Athenry used to be a walled city and about 3/4 of the walls still exist. The town was formed... 

3

'The Fields of Athenry...............

leics profile photo

 .........is a famous, and sad, song about the famine. The fields of Athenry also contain some interesting archaeology (Bronze Age), in which I was able to have a little dig. Baile Ath an Ri means...... 

4

Ath na ri

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 This is the town that the famous song "the fields of athenry" was written about. Its name in irish means "ath na ri" or "place of the kings". A 20 minute journey from galway and well worth the visit 

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