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Athy, situated in the south of Co. Kildare, is a market town on the convergence of the River Barrow and Grand Canal. The town is named after a second century chieftain, Ae, who was killed on the river crossing thus giving the town its name the ford of AE or in Irish Baile Átha Í.
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement into an important military outpost on the border of the Pale. The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century. The completion of the Grand Canal in 1791 and arrival of the railway in 1846 illustrates the importance of the town as a commercial centre.
Disclaimer: All information on these pages is provided by Kildare County Council and is believed to be correct as at the time of issue. |
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