Church History

Situated in East Galway, the present parish of Athenry borders parishes in the two neighbouring dioceses of Clonfert to the east and south and Galway to the south and west. The parish in area stretches 14 miles from the townlands of Cuddoo-Cormacoo in the east to Mountain West on the Galway/Loughrea road and from Coshla in the north to Coldwood in the south, 6 miles (approx) covering an area of over 70 square miles.

There are two churches – Church of the Assumption in Athenry and the Church of the Immaculate Conception – serving the Newcastle area. There are seven Primary Schools and three Secondary Schools and Mellows Agricultural Centre.