| Visitor Attractions in Athenry
The historic medieval town of Athenry and countryside is the perfect place to head to for a short break or just a day visit. There are many notable attractions to visit in particular the Heritage Centre, Athenry Castle, Dominican Abbey, North Gate and Town Walls. All are within walking distance just off the Dublin to Galway M6 Motorway and seviced by the main Galway-Dublin and Limerick Railway lines twenty minutes from Galway and two hours from Dublin. Athenry is the best preserved medieval town in Ireland, retaining the upstanding remains of most of its original high-status buildings, in addition to its medieval street pattern and even individual property boundaries, or burgage plots. Over seventy percent of the masonry town wall survives, complete with an impressive arched gateway, five defensive towers and large portions of a surrounding ditch or fosse. (Click on image or link for more information)
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| Athenry Experience Themes The ‘Athenry Experience’ is the brand name of a group dedicated to preserve, promote and exhibit all aspects of Athenry’s rich heritage, culture and unique place in Irish life, history and sport. The Athenry Experience Project Committee, in association with the local community, plan to complement the existing Athenry attractions by developing exhibition themes to be displayed to reflect the town's rich history. The role played by local people who mobilised under Liam Mellows in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence that followed, in politics, sport and drama using image boards, interactive displays and audio-visual presentations. To engage the young and children the presentations will use all the latest interactive technology available in a humorous and attractive way. For the culturally curious visitors and students of all ages the themes will be a souce for research and study. (Click on image or link for more information) |
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Murphy's of Clarke Street A historic house at the heart of Athenry’s role in the 1916 Easter Rising
The Athenry Experience group has announced a proposal to restore and develop the historic house known as Murphy’s of Clarke Street as a memorial to the members of the I.R.B. and Volunteers who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising in Athenry and throughout Galway. Built in 1906 for Richard Murphy, a leading figure in the I.R.B. in the west of Ireland, the house holds major historical importance. Murphy was a close associate of Thomas J. Clarke, the first man executed in 1916. The house was regularly used by the leaders of the Rising for planning and for training local Volunteers. Known as “The Bivouac”, the house served as a coded reference to the Volunteers’ training base. Its backyard, together with the nearby Town Hall, was used for drilling and military preparation. Following the Rising, while Richard Murphy was on the run, the house was occupied by the R.I.C. and Crown Forces, who flew the Union Jack from its chimney. Today, the house stands as a powerful reminder of Athenry’s contribution to Ireland’s struggle for independence. |
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War of Friends The Athenry Experience Group, in collaboration with the OPW, has presented the “War of Friends” exhibition at Athenry Castle, alongside a memorial banner displaying the names of Galway Volunteers who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising.
The “War of Friends” exhibition explores the relationship between Liam Mellows and Pádraic O’Máille during the War of Independence, and the divided loyalties they experienced during the Civil War that followed. The exhibition was prepared with the support of Galway County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Media, and was provided to the Athenry Experience Group by Galway City Museum. The memorial banner, listing the names of local 1916 Irish Volunteers, was compiled by Dr. Bernard Kelly and Tomás Kenny. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the group acknowledges that some names may be missing and invites families to come forward with any additions. Looking ahead, the Athenry Experience Group plans to develop a memorial wall and publish the stories and biographies of those involved—on all sides—on their website. They are appealing to family members, as well as anyone with photographs, documents, or information relating to this period, to contribute material for inclusion on the website: athenryexperience.ie |
