Athenry

Made famous by the song ‘The Fields of Athenry’, the town has many of its 13th century medieval features still intact, including medieval walls, castle, priory, market cross and church. The walls around Athenry are among the most complete and best preserved in Ireland with 70 per cent of original circuit still standing, along with some of the original towers and the original North gate.

This agricultural town has a growing reputation in the artisan food industry and a strong GAA tradition. Notable literary figures include the poet Padraic Fallon (1905-74), writer/novelist Mary Lavin (1912-96), novelist Gerard O’ Brien, and poet & writer Elaine Feeney to name a few.