Athenry
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| Athenry Baile Átha an Rí |
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
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| Irish grid reference M505275 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Connacht | |
| County: | County Galway | |
| Elevation: | 47 m | |
| Population (2006) | 3,205 | |
Athenry (pronounced /æθənˈraɪ/[1]; Irish: Baile Átha an Rí, pronounced [balʲɑːˈriː], transl. 'Ford of the King') is a town in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It lies 25 km to the east of Galway city, and is also famous for the song "The Fields of Athenry." One of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. Grid reference: M 501 284. Named from the fact that a ford ('Áth') crossed the river Clare just east of the settlement. Because three kingdoms met at that point, it was called 'Áth na Ríogh', or 'the Ford of the Kings'. On some medieval maps of English origin the town is called Kingstown. The kingdoms were Hy-Many to the north-east, east and south-east; Aidhne to the south and south-west; Maigh Seola to the west and north-west.
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[edit] History
In 1241, the Dominican Abbey was founded, a major institution before being sacked by Cromwellians.
 Athenry Castle |
 Athenry Dominican Priory |
[edit] Transport
Athenry lies on the Galway–Dublin main line of the Irish rail network, at the junction of that route with the currently disused Limerick–Sligo line (dubbed the Western Railway Corridor – see Irish railway history). Work is now underway ('West on Track') to re-open these passenger links, with the Ennis-Athenry section due for re-opening by 2008 and the Athenry-Tuam section by 2011. Athenry railway station opened on 1 August 1851.[2]
[edit] Sport
- Athenry is very proud of its sporting tradition and is home to many successful sporting clubs.
It boasts one of the most successful gaelic hurling teams of all time, St. Mary's G.A.A. club who have won numerous All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championships.
- Athenry also has a proud athletics history. Athenry AC has had a large juvenile section for many years and was complemented in 2002 by a growing senior section. The senior section now has over 100 members, approximately half of which are women.
- Athenry is home to one of the most progressive soccer clubs in Galway, Athenry Soccer Club and in 2006 reached the final of the FAI Junior Cup, the most prestigious junior soccer competition in the country. In 2007 Athenry Soccer Club became the Galway Premier League Champions for the first time in the clubs 36 year history.
[edit] Twinning
Athenry is twinned with the town of Quimperlé in Brittany.
[edit] See also
- Battle of Maigh Mucruimhe
- First Battle of Athenry
- Second Battle of Athenry
- The Sack of Athenry
- List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland (County Galway)
- List of towns in the Republic of Ireland
