Athenry, Medieval walled settlement in County Galway, Ireland.
Description
Athenry is a medieval walled settlement in County Galway that preserves about seventy percent of its original defensive structures. The town features five towers, a castle, and a surrounding ditch that demonstrate typical Anglo-Norman construction methods.
History
The castle was built between 1237 and 1240 by Meiler de Bermingham and was the first Anglo-Norman structure in the region. Its construction marked the beginning of Anglo-Norman control over this area.
Culture
The Irish name Baile Átha an Ríogh means 'town of the river ford,' reflecting how the Clareen River crossing shaped human settlement here. The street layout and remaining walls show how residents organized the town around this crossing point.
Practical
The settlement lies about 25 kilometers east of Galway and is easily reached via the M6 motorway. A railway station on the main Galway-Dublin line offers access by train.
Did you know?
A late Bronze Age shield found in the area is now displayed in the British Museum. The discovery shows that this region was an important metalworking center thousands of years before the walls were built.
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Turoe stone
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Athenry Castle
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St Brendan's Cathedral
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Galway Mosque
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Claregalway Friary
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Merlinpark Castle
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Athenry Priory
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Cloonacauneen Castle
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Garbally Castle
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Drumharsna Castle
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Drumacoo Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site
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Cregg Mill
18.4 km
Bullauns von Roscam
16.5 km
St. Mary's Priory
15.8 km
Knockmoy Abbey
16.1 km
Roscam Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site
16.5 km
St Mary's Collegiate Church
405 m
Loughrea Library
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Oranmore Library
12.8 km
Kilcolgan Bridge
12.7 km
Ardrahan Church
16 km
Clarinbridge Bridge
11.9 km
St Mary's Church
11.8 km
Ballynamanagh Bridge
13.9 km
North Tower
311 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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