Athenry

Athenry was founded by Meiler de Bermingham in the 1230s and walled soon after, and roughly three quarters of that wall circuit survives - about a kilometre of it, with five of its towers and the North Gate still standing. No other Irish town retains as much. Within the walls are the castle keep, a rectangular three-storey hall-house of around 1240 with a decorated entrance, and the ruins of a Dominican priory founded in 1241 whose church was extended repeatedly and still holds carved tomb fragments. The market cross stands in the square. The song The Fields of Athenry, written in the 1970s and set during the Famine, has made the name familiar far beyond the town, though it is a modern composition rather than a traditional one. The heritage centre runs medieval-themed activities. The town is small and much of the walk is on public streets.

History

The name comes from the ford over the river Clarin, first called Áth na Ríogh, "ford of the kings", for the Cenél nDéigill kings of Soghan. Athenry Castle, the oldest building left in the town, was built before 1240 by Meyler de Bermingham, and the Dominican Priory founded in 1241 became an important centre of learning (Wikipedia, Athenry).

What to look for

• The town walls - about a kilometre standing, with five towers and the North Gate.
• The castle keep - a hall-house of around 1240 with a carved entrance.
• The Dominican priory - founded 1241, with carved tomb fragments.
• The market cross - in the town square.

When to go

April to October; the castle is seasonal and closed in winter, though the walls and priory are accessible year-round. Two to three hours covers the circuit and the sites.

Things to know

The castle has seasonal opening and limited hours. The priory is a roofless ruin. The song is a 1970s composition, not a traditional ballad, which surprises visitors. Much of the wall is viewed from the street.

Nearby

Galway city is west; Loughrea and Portumna are south-east.

Key facts