Athenry Travel Guide

  Narrow street near the town square.
by pfsmalo
 
  • Narrow street near the town square.
      Narrow street near the town square.
    by pfsmalo
  • St Mary's parish church.
      St Mary's parish church.
    by pfsmalo
  •   Things to Do
    by pfsmalo
  •   Things to Do
    by pfsmalo
  •   Things to Do
    by pfsmalo
 

Pro

Cruefan profile photo

 Close to Galway City 


Con

leics profile photo

 None that I came across 


In a nutshell

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 worth a day trip from galway 

 

Explore Athenry

Things to Do  

The Market Cross,The Square, Athenry.

The Market Cross,The Square, Athenry., Athenry

 pfsmalo Says:  A short walk from the Priory is Market square where stands this unique 15th c monument, deemed a "cross" as it depicts the crucifixion scene, but looks more like a heap of rubble with the scene on top. Standing some 2.5 metres high this was where the market traders made... 

Athenry Dominican Priory, Athenry.

Athenry Dominican Priory, Athenry., Athenry

 pfsmalo Says:  Founded also around the same time as the castle just acros the park, Athenry Priory is the last home to Meiler de Bermingham, the Baron of Athenry who died in battle at Cashel and his body brought back and buried inside near the altar. The Priory was not finished before 1261... 

Athenry castle, Athenry.

Athenry castle, Athenry., Athenry

 pfsmalo Says:  Built by Meiler de Bermingham at the ford on the Clareen river, from where Athenry gets its name, the castle is one of the finest examples of 13th c tower houses or keeps in the country. It took two hundred years to get round to lifting it it to its present four stories... 

The heritage centre

The heritage centre, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  Based right in the middle of town in an abandoned church is a museum / heritage centre looking at the history of Athenry. (there is also an entrance opposite Athenry castle)It's not spectacular but there is a good range of explanatory boards and models.I was also quite... 

I'm sure it's worth the visit

I'm sure it's worth the visit, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  I set out the other day to spend a few hours in Athenry, it's always a town I had liked the look of, but never had the time to explore.First stop was obviously the quite impressive three-story Norman castle built by Meiler de Bermingham, who was granted much of the lands of... 

Our Lady's well

Our Lady's well, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  The complex of holy buildings known as 'Our Lady's well' is just out of the town, about a mile away and well signposted.This place has been a site of pilgrimage for hundreds of years followinng an appearance of the Virgin Mary to defeated soldiers following the second battle... 

Drive through the North Gate

Drive through the North Gate, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  Athenry has generally regarded as one of the finest 'walled' town built in Ireland. Most of the walls and towers lay in various states of decay.The North gate however still stands proud and as you exit the town the road drives straight through the structure. The tower also... 

The Market cross

The Market cross, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  The market cross, right in the middle of the town, is apparantly unique in Ireland for two reasons. Firstly it has not been moved since it was erected in the 15th century and secondly it is a 'lantern' type structure (more common in the UK) rather than more common 'Celtic... 

No monks with dirty habits anymore

No monks with dirty habits anymore, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  The ruined abbey is just across the road from the castle and grounds in Athenry, and was founded in 1241 by Meiler de Bermingham - the same bloke who built the castle. I guess planning permission was more easily gained in those days. The place burned down in 1423, it was... 

Hotels  

Raheen Woods Hotel

 2 Reviews and 139 Opinions  Just outside the town of Athenry, this hotel is a great location for exploring County Galway. It's... 

Restaurants  

Keane's bar.: Good pub food.
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3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

leics 2287 reviews
Athenry.

Pleasant pub, good reasonably-priced food (soup is home-made). Guinness good too. Smoking area outside (with heaters).

Written Feb 17, 2006

Address: Main street, Athenry.

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Budget Travel
 Family Travel

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Nightlife  

Castlegate Hotel, Hop Inn, Murphy's: Visit a good pub
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Cruefan 102 reviews
Singing at he Castlegate

While in Athenry I found that there was no shortage of pubs. We visited a few but the Hop Inn was my favorite. We met some great locals and while I'm on that subject Athenry lacks tourists.

We however did meet an American that had arrived 6 months before to search for his family roots and never left.

Dress Code: Dress nice casual. No sneakers or torn clothing. Look like a respectable citizen.

Updated Jun 3, 2005

Address: Davis Str. Athenry CO. Galway (Hop Inn)

Phone: 353 (0)91 844205

Website: http://www.athenry.net/hopinn/

Related to:
 Budget Travel

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Transportation  

On the inter-city route from Dublin

On the inter-city route from Dublin, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  Athenry usefully lies on the main Dublin (Hueston) to Galway main line.There are currently about half a dozen trains a day each way and all stop by Athenry.This frequency is likely to increase in the next few years as the line is being upgraded and a commuter service is... 

Athenry Station

Athenry Station, Athenry

 Cruefan Says:  The station is located right off town centre and both train service to Dublin and Galway can be taken from Athenry. There is parking on premesis. 

Local Customs  

Irish Breakfast

Irish Breakfast, Athenry

 Cruefan Says:  I love an Irish Fry. It consisted of rashers(bacon) sausage, fried egg, a potato waffle, fried tomato, and white pudding. We had one probably every other day we were there... mmmmm good. 

Electric Showers

Electric Showers, Athenry

 Cruefan Says:  In Ireland hot water is set-up a little different than I'm used to in the states. Where we stayed in Athenry they had an electric shower There was a switch on the ceiling next to the shower. You pulled the string and it turned the switch to on. You must do this to get hot... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Don't miss looking at the train station.

Don't miss looking at the train station., Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  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... 

Market cross.

Market cross., Athenry

 leics Says:  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... 

Gaelic hardball

Gaelic hardball, Athenry

 sourbugger Says:  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... 

The Fields of Athenry

The Fields of Athenry, Athenry

 Cruefan Says:  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... 

Favorites  

A song to stir the blood
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

sourbugger 2975 reviews
The Dubliners sing the fields of Athenry

Favorite thing: 'The Fields of Athenry' is a song known all over the world. Many presume that the song has a long history, but it was in fact written in 1979 by 'The Dubliners'. Others claim that they have modified a song from 1888 .

These days it is often sung at various gathering and has become embedded into the 'celtic cultural landscape'. It is song ( like 'Galway bay' as well) that Irish mothers will be singing to the offspring for decades to come.

The text is below - and I'm sure you are savvy enough (unlike me) to find somewhere to download it properly and hear it sung. Looking out from the top of the castle in Athenry with the song on your i-pod would no doubt be the perfect way to experience the town.

Fields Of Athenry

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 a lonely prison wall I heard a young girl calling
Michael they are taking you away
For you stole Trevelyan's corn so the young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay

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

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

Updated Nov 15, 2010

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Map of Athenry