Athy

Mix it up in a town full of fascinating history, live music pubs and leafy riverside walks. The ancient Norman settlement of Athy sits at the junction of the River Barrow and the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal, a short distance from the sweeping fields of Curragh.

Picturesque and steeped in history, Athy’s full of quirky local landmarks – from Crom a Boo Bridge, named after the war cry of the Fitzgeralds, earls of Kildare, to Preston’s Gate, named by Thomas Preston, who seized the gate in 1648. Soak up the local history with a stroll down the tree-lined canal banks and riverside trails, or jump on a boat trip into the heart of nature. Visit the historic stone tower of White’s Castle, then finish your day with a drink in one of the town’s lively traditional music pubs.