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Template:Infobox Irish Place Athy – pronounced (IPA) /əˈθaɪ/^[1] – (Baile Átha Í in Irish) is a market town situated at the convergence of the River Barrow and the Grand Canal in County Kildare, Ireland, 72 kilometers southwest of Dublin.

Its population of 7.943 (2006 Census^[2]) makes it the sixth largest town in Kildare and the 50th largest in the Republic of Ireland, with a growth rate of 31.3pc since the 2002 census.

People from Athy are commonly known as "Athyians".

The town is named after a second century AD chieftain Ae who was killed on the river crossing thus giving the town its name meaning "the town by Ae's ford".

From the first official records in 1813 (population 3,192) until 1891 (population 4,886) and again in 1926-46 and 1951-61 Athy was the largest town in Kildare. In 1837 the population was 4,494 ^[3]..

Geography

The exact intersection of 7°00'00.00" west longtitude and 53°00'00.00" north latitude lies northwest of Athy near the Athy to Stradbally road Google Map 53°n 7°w.

History

The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important 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 arrival of the railway in 1846 illustrates the importance of the town as a commercial centre.

Of the many church ruins in Athy, St. Michael's is perhaps the most ancient. It was built in the fourteenth 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.

The 15th century White Castle, long a private residence, and is said to be opening soon for public visits under its new owner.

River Barrow, Crom Abu Bridge and White's Castle, Athy

Athy hosted the Gordon Bennet Cup race in 1903. This has also lead to the popular but unproven belief that it was the origin of British Racing Green colour for racecars.

The town is twinned since 2003 with french town of GRANDVILLIERS (County Oise-Picardy)located near BEAUVAIS Aiport with daily flights from Dublin. Noel SCULLY signed the chart for ATHY . The Athy twinning commitee chairperson is Richard DALY, councillor and principal of the Community College. The first to visit Grandvilliers were Helen Dowling, Cllr Mark Dalton and Cllr Frank English .The french twinning commitee is named "LA BALAD'IRLANDAISE" - http://perso.orange.fr/labaladirlandaise - Its chairperson is actually Jean-Pierre VASSEUR. Towns official visits are each two years. Colleges are organising once a year students exchanges.Musicians from Athy often go to Grandvilliers. Their leader is Barry KEATLEY .

Transport

Athy is connected to the Irish rail network via the Dublin–Waterford main line. There is a disused siding to the Tegral Slate factory. This is all that is left of the former branch to Wolfhill colliery. The 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.

Communications

Despite being a booming town, Athy has few local media outlets to speak of, and local news can only be found in county-wide publications and radio stations. However, serious attempts are under way to establish a network of local programme makers and podcasters at http://AthyRadio.com

People

Philip Crosthwaite (December 27, 1825–February 19, 1903) was an early settler of San Diego, California and Rosarito, Baja California. Fought and wounded in the Mexian war became the mayor of San Diego.

John Minihan who was Samuel Beckett's 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.

Robert Redmond who is considered by many to be the great local photographer. Famed for his international portraits for Hello! and OK! magazines, Robert has become a prolific writer. His collections of photographs are published by Nonsuch Publishing.

Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh 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 Ye", "Lannigans Ball" and "We're on the Road to Sweet Athy". Among Athy's many famous inhabitants are Liam O'Flynn of Planxty, the award winning writer John MacKenna, the singer Jack L, You're A Star finalists The Sullivan Brothers and legendary musician Robbie Robinson .

World Champions Frances Dalton and Stephen Roche who both won gold medals for Ireland in gymnastics and equestrian also hail from Athy.

Newstalk 106 host Ger Gilroy is an Athy native.

Into Your Headhost Neal O'Carroll is an Athy resident.

Amenities

Places to stay include the many B&Bs around the town, Forest Farm, Ballindrum House and Kanes located in the town centre are but three of those available.

Rehabilitation

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.

Athy Heritage Centre

Athy contains the only permanent exhibition on Ernest Shackleton, 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 Center 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.

Places of Interest

Sport

Athy GAA, celebrating a long and proud tradition
Athy Golf Club [2]
Athy Rugby Club, founded in 1880 and five time winner of the Provincial Towns Cup
Athy Tennis Club
Athy Town AFC (Association Football Club)
Athy also has coarse fishing on the Grand Canal and the River Barrow.

References

^ Athy. (2001). In Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary[1]. Retrieved February 17, 2007. The dictionary does not use IPA notation, but the pronunciation given, \ə-ˈthī\, is apparently equivalent to IPA /əˈθaɪ/.
^ - Table 5 – Population of Towns ordered by county and size
^ Entry for Athy in Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)

External links

[1] Athy. (2001). In Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary[1]. Retrieved February 17, 2007. The dictionary does not use IPA notation, but the pronunciation given, \ə-ˈthī\, is apparently equivalent to IPA /əˈθaɪ/.

[2] - Table 5 – Population of Towns ordered by county and size

[3] Entry for Athy in Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)

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@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 The [[15th century]] White Castle, long a private residence, and is said to be opening soon for public visits under its new owner.
+<gallery>
+Image:River Barrow and WhitesCastle Athy.JPG|River Barrow, Crom Abu Bridge and White's Castle, Athy
+</gallery>
 Athy hosted the [[Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing|Gordon Bennet Cup]] race in [[1903]]. This has also lead to the popular but unproven belief that it was the origin of [[British Racing Green]] colour for racecars.