059 8638008 • 8638009 • 8638008 059 Open all year. 0404 45600 www.glendalough.ie 45600 0404 year. all Open 059 8634988 059 059 8640581 059
29A Leinster St, Emily Sq Emily St, Leinster 29A as well as a selection of walks and trails in the area. the in trails and walks of selection a as well as Duke Street Duke 42A Leinster Street Street Leinster 42A
Ngai's Restaurant Ngai's monastic site with round tower to its scenic lakes and valleys, and lakes scenic its to tower round with site monastic An Sean Chisten Sean An The Metz Sandwich Bar Sandwich Metz The
045-431301 www.newbridgesilverware.com 045-431301
entertain and enthral visitors, from its world famous world its from visitors, enthral and entertain
059 8633627 059
059 8632699 059
great base for a day out. out. day a for base great Open 7 days a week. week. a days 7 Open
PUB GRUB PUB
Mountains National Park and has many attractions to entice, to attractions many has and Park National Mountains
er Street er einst L Dublin Rd, Athy Rd, Dublin
rooms, restaurant and museum of style icons provide a a provide icons style of museum and restaurant rooms,
CARVERY and CARVERY inspir ur heart and fill your soul. Located in the Wicklow the in Located soul. your fill and heart ur o y e
La Scala La The Hunting Ground Hunting The
COFFEE SHOPS, SHOPS, COFFEE premier giftware brand, all under the one roof. The show- The roof. one the under all brand, giftware premier Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, your still will that place remarkable a is Glendalough
844 8641 059 and lifestyle products and widely regarded as Ireland’s as regarded widely and products lifestyle and 059 8634901 059 Glendalough Glendalough
44 Duke Street Duke 44 6 Stanhope Street Street Stanhope 6 Famous for designing and manufacturing quality jewellery quality manufacturing and designing for Famous
1 863347 059
6573. See www.heritageireland.ie for more. more. for www.heritageireland.ie See 6573.
Bar & Restaurant & Bar Jasmine Court Jasmine Newbridge Silverware Newbridge 20 Emily Square Square Emily 20
day during daylight hours. hours. daylight during day Open during summer. Tel: 057 862 057 Tel: summer. during Open
Smugglers’ Smugglers’
Chinese Restaurant Chinese
059 8640666 059
managed by the Office of Public Works. Gardens open every open Gardens Works. Public of Office the by managed
Open every Fri & Sat. 045 446658 www.newbridgegreyhoundstadium.ie 446658 045 Sat. & Fri every Open
The Royal Garden Garden Royal The
Emily Square • 059 8633155 059 • Square Emily
Clanard Court Hotel Court Clanard
shrubs. Today Emo Court and its gardens are owned and owned are gardens its and Court Emo Today shrubs.
commences at 7.50pm, every Friday and Saturday evening. Saturday and Friday every 7.50pm, at commences © Shine Athy 2010 Athy Shine ©
J-1
Bailey’s Bar and Brasserie and Bar Bailey’s
19 86418 059
accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. or errors for responsibility no accept lake and woodland walks with many very fine trees and trees fine very many with walks woodland and lake
end night-time entertainment venues. Racing venues. entertainment night-time end eek w premier
information contained herein, the publishers of this guide this of publishers the herein, contained information
4 Stanhope St Stanhope 4
845 8631 059 first laid out in the 18th century and contain formal lawns, a lawns, formal contain and century 18th the in out laid first
Geraldine, Athy 059 8631729 059 Athy Geraldine,
Situated right in the heart of the county. It is one of Kildare's of one is It county. the of heart the in right Situated
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the of accuracy the ensure to made been has effort every While
The Bay Tree Bay The
einster Street Street einster L surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland which were which parkland and gardens beautiful by surrounded Athy Golf Club Golf Athy Newbridge Greyhound Stadium Greyhound Newbridge
Bakery & Deli & Bakery
is a magnificent example of the neo-Classical style. It is It style. neo-Classical the of example magnificent a is
O. Murray, J. D. Morris D. J. Murray, O.
100 059 8630 059
Leinster St • 059 863227 059 • St Leinster
Bradbury’s Cafe, Cafe, Bradbury’s the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin. The house The Dublin. in Courts Four the and House Custom the Photography: R. Redmond, V. O’Connor, PJ Ryan, Ryan, PJ O’Connor, V. Redmond, R. Photography:
045 520521 www.kildarevillage.com 520521 045 The Carlton Abbey Carlton The
Ashoka Indian Restaurant Indian Ashoka
or his great public buildings, including buildings, public great his or Gandon, best known f known best Gandon,
your home and wardrobe. wardrobe. and home your Open 7 days a week. week. a days 7 Open Leinster St • 059 8641533 059 • St Leinster and Benedict’s and Brosna Press Creative Design and Print • 090 6454327 090 • Print and Design Creative Press Brosna
Emo Court is a country villa designed by architect James architect by designed villa country a is Court Emo
Design, maps, illustrations and print by print and illustrations maps, Design, of over 50 sought-after international designer brands for brands designer international sought-after 50 over of RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS The Abbey Bar Bar Abbey The Deelish
Emo House and Gardens and House Emo
every day, all year-round reductions on an exclusive selection exclusive an on reductions year-round all day, every
Produced by Failte ireland in conjunction with Shine Athy Shine with conjunction in ireland Failte by Produced
Places to eat to Places
featuring up to 60% off, 60% to up featuring e experienc shopping unrivalled
www.athyshines.com forest. forest. Open all year. 045 869151 www.coillte.ie 869151 045 year. all Open
Kildare Village, located just 15 mins from Athy, is an is Athy, from mins 15 just located Village, Kildare
also a 2.3 hectare lake and many different walks through the through walks different many and lake hectare 2.3 a also
Kildare Village Outlet Shopping Shopping Outlet Village Kildare
tower, ice house, boat house and Lime Tree Avenue. There is There Avenue. Tree Lime and house boat house, ice tower,
including the remains of the castle, walled gardens, church, gardens, walled castle, the of remains the including
Open February to November. 045 521251 www.irish-national-stud.ie. www.irish-national-stud.ie. 521251 045 November. to February Open
e, with many historical features historical many with e, at est family ylmer the old A old the
art modern exhibition where the sport of kings comes to life. to comes kings of sport the where exhibition modern art
The park covers 243 hectares of mixed woodland. It is part of part is It woodland. mixed of hectares 243 covers park The
refer to www.athydirectory.com. to refer
- a state of the of state a - walks. lakeside and woodland - Horse Museum Horse
Donadea Forest Park Forest Donadea
Open on event days. 045 860200 www.mondello.ie 860200 045 days. event on Open for a detailed business and service listing service and business detailed a for
the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe. Europe. in Gardens Japanese finest the Saint Fiachra's Garden Fiachra's Saint
to drive their own performance cars on the circuits. circuits. the on cars performance own their drive to
and see activities www.whatsonathy.com
Open all year. 056 4440707 www.discoverypark.ie 4440707 056 year. all Open - thoroughbreds. finest Ireland's of some Japanese Gardens Japanese
calendar includes car and bike events and allows enthusiasts allows and events bike and car includes calendar For information on current events and events current on information For
where history and science come alive. alive. come science and history where - Home to Home - following: the houses complex Irish National Stud National Irish
Ireland’s only international motor racing circuit. The packed The circuit. racing motor international only Ireland’s
playground and coal mining experience. A great day out day great A experience. mining coal and playground
it is the only Stud farm in Ireland open to the public. The public. the to open Ireland in farm Stud only the is it
for further information. further for
Mondello Park Mondello Motor Racing Circuit Racing Motor
s, tea rooms craft and visitor centre, an adventure an centre, visitor and craft rooms tea s, e lak o tw This is one of the country's major tourist attractions and and attractions tourist major country's the of one is This www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie
An 80 acre discovery park incorporating woodland walks, woodland incorporating park discovery acre 80 An
ns and St Fiachra’s Gardens Fiachra’s St and ns Garde Tel 059 8633075 or see or 8633075 059 Tel
Open all year. 045 870238 www.kildare.ie/lullymore 870238 045 year. all Open
Castlecomer Discovery Park Discovery Castlecomer weekends on a seasonal basis. basis. seasonal a on weekends
Irish National Stud, Japanese Stud, National Irish
train trips, crazy golf and indoor play centre provide the fun. the provide centre play indoor and golf crazy trips, train
Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and 5pm to 10am Friday to Monday
Tel: 059 9130411 www.carlowgardentrail.com 9130411 059 Tel:
provide the informative aspect while an adventure playground, adventure an while aspect informative the provide
in the Heritage Centre, opening hours are hours opening Centre, Heritage the in
Open 7 days a week. www.kildare.ie/tourism/Golf/ week. a days 7 Open
informal gardens with riverside walks covering over 40 acres. 40 over covering walks riverside with gardens informal
exhibition on the 1798 rebellion from a Kildare viewpoint Kildare a from rebellion 1798 the on exhibition Athy Tourist Information office is located is office Information Tourist Athy
5 of which are within a 20 minute drive of Athy. Athy. of drive minute 20 a within are which of 5
Altamont Gardens are an enchanting blend of formal and formal of blend enchanting an are Gardens Altamont and fun. R fun. and eations of dwellings from Irish history and an and history Irish from dwellings of eations ecr
Cup. Within the county there are 20 superb golf courses, courses, golf superb 20 are there county the Within Cup.
Widely respected as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown, gardening Ireland’s in jewel the as respected Widely An award winning family attraction, combining education combining attraction, family winning award An Find out more out Find
Kildare is a golfers paradise and played host to 2006 Ryder 2006 to host played and paradise golfers a is Kildare
smaller gardens which are maturing beautifully with time. with beautifully maturing are which gardens smaller Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park Discovery & Heritage Lullymore
Golf Golf
lovingly restored and maintained throughout the years and years the throughout maintained and restored lovingly
with frequent direct bus and rail links to Athy. to links rail and bus direct frequent with
actions including great old gardens that have been have that gardens old great including actions tr at
Open all year. 056 7704100 www.kilkennycastle.ie 7704100 056 year. all Open Dublin Airport is the nearest commercial airport commercial nearest the is Airport Dublin
in July or The Electric Picnic in Stradbally in September. September. in Stradbally in Picnic Electric The or July in
Carlow Garden Trail features 16 different gardening different 16 features Trail Garden Carlow
provides the venue for a great day out. out. day great a for venue the provides Belfast 238kms/148mls 238kms/148mls Belfast
are within easy reach one can choose from Oxygen at Punchestown at Oxygen from choose can one reach easy within are
Carlow Garden Trail Garden Carlow
Rosslare Harbour 116kms/72mls 116kms/72mls Harbour Rosslare OPW. Steeped in history and culture, Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny culture, and history in Steeped OPW.
drive namely Dinn Rí in Carlow and Time in Naas. Rock festivals Rock Naas. in Time and Carlow in Rí Dinn namely drive
Galway 174kms/108mls 174kms/108mls Galway
and parklands adjoining the castle are now managed by the by managed now are castle the adjoining parklands and
number of iconic live venues to choose from within a 20 minute 20 a within from choose to venues live iconic of number
Open all year round. Tel 0404 20070 www.visitwicklow.ie 20070 0404 Tel round. year all Open
Cork City 195 kms/121mls kms/121mls 195 City Cork
Home of the Butler family fr family Butler the of Home 1 until 1935. The castle The 1935. until 1 39 1 om
restaurants, bars and disco bars to choose from. There are also a also are There from. choose to bars disco and bars restaurants, Many amenities can be enjoyed on the lakes. the on enjoyed be can amenities Many
Dublin Airport 83kms/52mls 83kms/52mls Airport Dublin
One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland. in buildings recognised instantly most the of One
the building of the Poulaphouca Dam, a hydroelectric station. hydroelectric a Dam, Poulaphouca the of building the town is a hub of activity on the weekend with a great variety of variety great a with weekend the on activity of hub a is town Distances by car car by Distances
Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny
er. The lakes were formed 50 years ago by ago years 50 formed were lakes The er. at w of acres 500 and theatre available in the Arts Centre and both hotels. The hotels. both and Centre Arts the in available theatre and
Set in the Wicklow Mountains, the Blessington Lakes cover Lakes Blessington the Mountains, Wicklow the in Set town which follows on to Kilkenny. to on follows which town Athy has something to offer all tastes, with a variety of music of variety a with tastes, all offer to something has Athy
and Gowran Park are all within a 30 minute drive from Athy. from drive minute 30 a within all are Park Gowran and M9 at exit 3. Take the N78 directly into directly N78 the Take 3. exit at M9 Blessington Lakes Blessington Clubs and Night Life Night and Clubs
ks within easy reach. The Curragh, Punchestown, Naas, Punchestown, Curragh, The reach. easy within ks trac Travelling from Dublin, Athy is just off the off just is Athy Dublin, from Travelling
Racing enthusiasts can choose from a number of superb of number a from choose can enthusiasts Racing
Getting to Athy to Getting rse Racing rse Ho
are only 10 mins drive from Athy. Athy. from drive mins 10 only are
drop of the carp and coarse fisheries lake. All three amenities three All lake. fisheries coarse and carp the of drop
www.coursetown.com
Kelivelle lake provides a relaxing loop walk alongside the back the alongside walk loop relaxing a provides lake Kelivelle
VISITOR GUIDE to ATHY and the SURROUNDING AREA 8638240 059 Tel: 01 • 087 2072070 087 • 01 11 059 863 059
offer a great backdrop for a calm walk in the woods, while woods, the in walk calm a for backdrop great a offer
Leinster Street Leinster
Athy, County Kildare, Ireland Athy Rd, Stradbally ytime of the year. Stradbally Woods and Mullaghreelan and Woods Stradbally year. the of ytime an
Vals Cabs Vals
Coursetown House Coursetown
A walk through a wood can be a priceless experience at experience priceless a be can wood a through walk A
www.brayhouse.com Woods and Walking Trails Walking and Woods
Tel: Tel: 059 8632463 059
76 83895 086 • 052 1 059 863 059
Ignatious Rice Car Park Park Car Rice Ignatious
one of the oldest pubs in Ireland lies. lies. Ireland in pubs oldest the of one
Open all year. all Open
Castledermot Rd, Athy. Rd, Castledermot
Crom Abu Cabs Abu Crom
the picturesque village of Stradbally and Fisherstown where Fisherstown and Stradbally of village picturesque the
Bray House Bray
boating and fishing. Vicarstown is a good base to visit to base good a is Vicarstown fishing. and boating cling, cy
www.skct.ie
www.ballindrumfarm.com An attractive port on the Grand Canal, a useful base for walking, for base useful a Canal, Grand the on port attractive An
1916 1916 7 8 045 Tel: Newbridge.
7 2305020 7 059 8626294 • 08 • 8626294 059 Vicarstown
Servicing local villages and villages local Servicing Ballindrum, Athy Ballindrum,
ansport ansport r T Community only a short distance away. distance short a only Ballindrum Farm Ballindrum
South Kildare Kildare South
grave slabs. Moone High Cross a 5 metre granite cross is also is cross granite metre 5 a Cross High Moone slabs. grave
www.aurorahouse.net
that has since vanished and a number of ancient stones and stones ancient of number a and vanished since has that
230423 7 085 • 03 1 059 8633 059
www.jjkavanagh.ie 10th century round tower, a Romanesque arch from a church a from arch Romanesque a tower, round century 10th
Kildare Rd, Athy Rd, Kildare
8 333 222 333 8 1 08 Tel: Airport. and century St Diarmaid’s Church, 2 unique granite high crosses, a crosses, high granite unique 2 Church, Diarmaid’s St century
Aurora House Aurora
Servicing Dublin City Centre City Dublin Servicing or historians who can discover the 13th the discover can who historians or of 500 AD is a must f must a is AD 500 of
JJ Kavanagh Coaches Kavanagh JJ Castledermot, site of an early Christian monastic settlement monastic Christian early an of site Castledermot, www.ardscullfarm.com
y, Round Tower and High Cross Cross High and Tower Round y, be Ab 059 8626188 • 087 2109768 087 • 8626188 059
www.buseireann.ie Moone High Cross, Castledermot Cross, High Moone Dublin Rd (N78) Athy (N78) Rd Dublin
y. Tel: 01 8366111 01 Tel: y. h At via Ardscull Farm House Farm Ardscull
Motor race which passed by in 1903. An ideal site for a picnic. a for site ideal An 1903. in by passed which race Motor Servicing Dublin and Clonmel and Dublin Servicing
and B&Bs and
Also the site of a memorial to the famous Gordon Bennett Gordon famous the to memorial a of site the Also Bus Eireann Bus
GUESTHOUSES GUESTHOUSES th century, is one of the biggest of its kind in Ireland. in kind its of biggest the of one is century, th 5 in the 1 the in
This 13th century Norman Earthwork, improved by the Fitzgeralds the by improved Earthwork, Norman century 13th This 059 8631966 • www.irishrail.ie • 8631966 059
.clanardcourt.ie www
The Moate of Ardscull of Moate The
rford via Athy via rford e Wat
059 8640666 059
Servicing Dublin and Dublin Servicing
treks, full and half board, lessons. lessons. board, half and full treks,
Open Mon to Sat 086 387 9698 387 086 Sat to Mon Open
Dublin Rd, Athy Rd, Dublin
Irish Rail Athy Train Station Train Athy Rail Irish
Madges Lane Stables, Castledermot. Pony camps, fun days, fun camps, Pony Castledermot. Stables, Lane Madges
Clanard Court Hotel Court Clanard
advanced and those in between. between. in those and advanced 087 6444578 087
Transport
Kilmon Riding Centre, Ballyadams, Co. Laois. Beginners to Beginners Laois. Co. Ballyadams, Centre, Riding Kilmon
se, floodlit arena. arena. floodlit se, our c ountry c Open all year. Tel 059 9144208 059 Tel year. all Open Public
Pitfield Equestrian Centre, Castledermot. Off road riding, cross riding, road Off Castledermot. Centre, Equestrian Pitfield
Horseriding
www.gordonbennettroute.com
www.barrowfordfarm.com
route in 1903. 1903. in route
Open all year, official events are held in June. in held are events official year, all Open
www.carltonabbeyhotel.com
1305 059 863 059
historic car race that roared across this 166km (104 mile) (104 166km this across roared that race car historic
00 86301 059
Barrowford, Athy Barrowford,
into the lives, atmosphere and sheer adrenalin behind the behind adrenalin sheer and atmosphere lives, the into
The Convent, Athy Convent, The
Pump House Pump
Bennett Route an easy to follow tour offering a unique insight unique a offering tour follow to easy an Route Bennett
Carlton Abbey Hotel Abbey Carlton
Carlow and Laois. Identifiable road signs make the Gordon the make signs road Identifiable Laois. and Carlow
7 • 0863445747 • 7 14 059 8624 059
oss the picturesque towns and villages of counties Kildare, counties of villages and towns picturesque the oss acr
Bealan, Moone Bealan,
Let the Gordon Bennett Route take you on an historic journey historic an on you take Route Bennett Gordon the Let
Pill Lodge Pill
Gordon Bennett Route Bennett Gordon
www.moatelodge.com
in Ballitore. Ballitore. in Open all year 059 8623344. 059 year all Open
7 • 086 3408579 086 • 7 3 86261 059
it contains a collection of artefacts on the Quaker settlement Quaker the on artefacts of collection a contains it
Dublin Rd (N78), Athy (N78), Rd Dublin
The Quaker museum is housed in the home of Mary Leadbeater, Mary of home the in housed is museum Quaker The
HOTELS
Moate Lodge Moate
Ballitore Quaker Museum Quaker Ballitore
Failte Ireland Approved Accommodtion Approved Ireland Failte
www.accommodationathy.com to stay to
1231 059 863 059
Dublin Rd (N78), Athy (N78), Rd Dublin Places Places
Top things to do nearby do to things Top Forest Farm Forest The Top Things Festivals and Events to do in Athy
Athy Community Arts Centre Located in the Methodist Church on Woodstock St, Athy Community Arts Centre houses a 110 seat theatre and a workshop and exhibition space. Opened as an arts venue in 2010, the centre has a programme of theatre, live music, exhibitions, workshops and literary and social events throughout the year. For further information on current events contact [email protected] or phone 085 2447221 St. Patrick's Day Parade Cecil Day Lewis Literary Event 2: TriAthy Athy welcomes residents and Awards/Festival TriAthy is Ireland’s largest Athy Community Library visitors to celebrate St. Entries are invited from all and favourite triathlon event Offers a wide range of services, including: fiction, non-fiction Patrick's Day at the Annual schools in Co. Kildare to enter which takes place over two and reference books for all ages; language learning packs, St. Patrick Day Parade, the annual Cecil Day Lewis days over the June Bank audio books, CDs and DVDs; newspapers and periodicals; Free featuring floats and bands as Literary Awards competition Holiday weekend. Olympic, Internet access to members; workshops, exhibitions and events they pass through the town's under the various sections: Sprint and Try distances are throughout the year. Contact us at: Town Hall, Emily Square, Tel: streets with in a colorful Short Story, Poetry and One available and the event is 059 8631144 • [email protected] • www.kildare.ie/library display. Contact: Heritage Act Play. Cecil Day-Lewis, open to individuals and relay Athy Heritage Centre, Centre & Museum for details. born in 1904 was the son of a teams. Over 3,000 partici- Museum and Tourist Office Church of Ireland Minister, pants and up to 10,000 Traces the history of the Anglo-Norman town on the Marches then living in Ballintubbert spectators converge on the of Kildare. View the Grand Canal, Great Famine, Military, House, Athy. A talented and town over this special Quakers, Kellyites and Gordon Bennett exhibits and much humorous man, he was sporting weekend. Find out more. Renowned for the only permanent exhibition to Ernest awarded Poet Laureate. more at www.triathy.com Shackleton. The audio guides and a 30 seated audio room [email protected] brings the whole experience to life. Hosts monthly events. To Tel: 059 8633075 find out more see: www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie www.shackletonmuseum.com • Other services: tourist office. iInternet access point, gift shop • 059 8633075 • [email protected] South Kildare Medieval Festival Barrowline Cruisers The south Kildare Medieval Barrowline Cruisers is a family-owned barge hire company, Festival is a fun informative Gordon Bennett Festival providing well equipped self-drive barges varying in size from 2 berth narrow boats to 8 berth wide beams. Their base on the family day out. This event is Held annually in June. Here Grand Canal is ideally located to allow you to explore the full special because we blend you can enjoy the thrills and extent of the Grand Canal and River Barrow. Weekly and short living history, archaeology, spills of the 1903 Gordon break hire available. Phone: 057 8626060 087 9887241 Hotel Service Station hands-on workshops and Bennett Commerative Rally, Email: [email protected] accommodation exhibitions, so all ages can TriAthy following a circuit centered Parking Event1: SwimAthy Cafe’s, bars see, hear, touch and taste our around Athy- know as ‘the Castlefarm and restaurants Bus stop shared heritage. SwimAthy is an open water home of the Gordon Situated halfway between Athy and Kilcullen, Castlefarm With Costumes and archers, swim in the River Barrow Bennett’. Why not join the organic farm offers farm tours to suit all ages and groups. Shopping games and art, food and which usually takes place on activities held each year to Find out more on 086 3736402, www.castlefarmshop.ie Walking route 1 always fun and learning, the Sunday before the June commemorate the race, after come and share this unique Bank Holiday weekend. It viewing the exhibits, audio Golf Walking route 2 Gardens happening. has become the traditional footage, and using the Ballintubbert House Gardens, Ballintubbert, Athy. The Ph: 059 8633075 warm-up event for TriAthy audio guides why not drive Gardens are surrounding the former Georgian vicarage and Angling Walking route 3 birthplace of poet Cecil Day Lewis. Open Saturdays and Sundays which occurs the following the Gordon Bennett circuit. during July and August or by appointment. Tel 086 8696391 Tourist Information Arts Centre weekend. 1500m, 750m and Email: [email protected] Burtown House Gardens, Ballytore, Athy. Access by appointment 400m swims are on offer. Tel: 059 8633075 and for groups only. Tel: 059 862 3148.
Heritage Trail / Walking Athy Heritage Town is rich in cultural and historical sites. Walking and “Athy in July”. The spiritual December 2010 for story- cycling tours are also popular particularly along the canal and River Barrow. Take a step back in time and discover historic Athy - we've got home of Irish bluegrass. telling, street theatre, children’s amazing buildings and monuments waiting to be explored as you www.athy-bluegrass.com craft workshops, musical, learn more about Athy’s past. Our heritage attractions, museum, 085 1656685 choral and drama, art exhib- properties of historical interest are the perfect places to visit for a itions, our International Crib family day out or a weekend break with friends. Three walking trails Exhibition and of course are signposted throughout the town. Also: Ballintubbert House garden trail and nearby forest walks. Athy Heritage Centre/Museum chocolate! Kick off your Tourist Office 059 8633075. Mount St Mary’s Houses - the only Christmas with our family permanent Traveller Cultural Museum in the country. 059 8632612. County Show focused festival. 059 8633075 Fishing & Watersports This annual event which [email protected] www.shopathy.com Athy is almost unique amongst Irish towns in having both a canal and takes place in July has river running through it. Whether you are a boat enthusiast, historian, contributed greatly to the Women's Integrated jogger or fisherman, you will find something of interest in the NBIWAI Network (WIN) social and economic Shackleton branch’s activities. www.nbarrow.iwai.ie. With the proliferation of waterways Women's Integrated Network development of Athy and its Autumn School around Athy fishing is a popular sport and pastime. Coarse fishing (WIN), Athy, founded in predominates with Perch, Bream, Rudd, Tench and Pike being caught hinterland over the past 100 Shackleton Autumn School 2007 by Frances Soney- in sizeable quantities. Athy Anglers: Contact John Shaughnessy 086 years and intends to continue held annual on the October 382 4043. Canoeing is growing sport in Athy. They host the annual Ituen. WIN, Athy’s success is to do so for many years to Bank Holiday weekend - a 4 Club Polo Championships in August which sees 20 teams competing a collective success. Our come. This is a family fun day day event. The only forum on the canal. Other activities include Rescue and Safety techniques, goal; empowerment for Canoe Polo and River Running. Tel 087 7757722 [email protected] out with something for for Polar research in Ireland. positive integration. Valuing everyone. The programme Consisting of lectures, exhibits, Golf all peoples, developing of events include many drama, Film, music and field Athy Golf Course is one of Kildare's finest courses, enhanced by mature potentials, celebrating displays, exhibits, outdoor trips. Highlights include an beech trees and the calming waters of lake and stream. diversity. Our Vision is to Take on this superb 18 hole course with its extensive fairways and and indoor trade stands, art original sledge and harness, develop a positively manicured greens before retiring to the friendly, welcoming atmosphere & craft,& home produce a 15-foot model of Start your stay at one of the fine hotels, or Ireland’s first Shine town, a national initiative integrated community of the clubhouse. Tel 059 8631729 or www.athygolfclub.com. Carden ton Welcome to Athy competitions, carnival and Shackleton’s ship Endurance, House Par 3 Golf Course is a nicely maturing parkland par 3, 18 hole a friendly B & B, either in town or choose a aimed at improving the visitor’s experience. where all citizens are equal, much much more. unique photographs, audio course on 50 acres, situated alongside the Grand Canal overlooking the respected, appreciated, Athy’s bridge over the Barrow is a fine Grass stylings and Jack L’s magnificent nearby country setting. Then the day is your guide and an audio visual beautiful countryside. Water features and bunkers to challenge golfers of celebrated and empowered all levels. 059 8634958 / 087 8265129 www.athypar3.com baritone are only the tip to the talent. own. Explore the heritage town, walk the Athy is off the beaten track, yet at the heart display featuring Frank symbol of all we are. Our town spans many to attain their full potential river trails, browse the boutiques and get to of everything, full of surprises, where you will Hurley’s original film footage K Leisure worlds, the rural and urban, the past and In early summer watch the finest athletes know the many festivals and celebrations be a visitor on for the common good. K Leisure is a state-of-the-art leisure facility with a 6 lane, 25m deck of the Endurance expedition. Email: [email protected], prepare and participate in TriAthy, Ireland's from the friendly community. your first night 2010 Rose www.shackletonmuseum.com level pool with moveable floor, sauna and steamroom, state-of-the-art present, international stars and local of Tralee 085 1426012 fitness suite and gym, aerobic studio with 7 classes daily fastest triathlon. Such feats of endurance are and a regular www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie www.womensintegratednetwork- heroes, the arts and sport. win-athy.org Opening Times: Monday–Friday 6.30am–10.00pm. Saturday–Sunday & Bank nothing new to Athy, home of Ernest If the long walk after the small ball is your by your second! Email: [email protected] Holidays 10.00–6.00pm. Tel: 059 8641522, www.kleisure.ie Shackleton, hero of Antarctic exploration. Crom Abu Bridge was named for the war thing, the Cardington Par Three, Athy Golf Tel: 059 8633075 And from boxing champions at St Michael’s Athy Bluegrass Athy Film Club/ Festival Night Life cry of the Fitzgeralds, and that is not all they Club, and Kilkea are beautiful courses in easy Become a visitor on your first night and a regular on your second! Club to GAA, rugby and tennis, all tastes are Music Festival The Film Club is an integral named. Our main axis of streets commem- reach of the heart of Athy. Conveniently part of Athy’s vibrant social Athy town is a hub of activity at the weekend, with a great variety of catered for. Athy Bluegrass Music Festival orate William Duke of Leinster and Emily located to an abundance of attractions both restaurants, bars and disco bars to choose from. After a relaxing meal is a celebration of a genre of and cultural scene. The aim in one of the many restaurants you can choose to relax on a high stool Stanhope of Offaly. It has been said that a man could grow an locally and in bordering counties, Athy can music started by Bill Monroe of the Film Club is to give and engage in a bit of craic and banter with the locals with a local trad local audiences and visitors session. If you fancy a late night why not dance the night away in one inch walking the fields around Athy, so good be accessed easily by rail, bus, car and river. from Kentucky in the 1940’s of the late disco bars. Athy has a wonderful Arts theatre offering Standing on Crom Abu, watching the water is the land. Did you know that Athy hosted After day sightseeing, hiking, fishing, cycling, using stringed instruments the opportunity to see a regular entertainment, also both hotels host a number of concerts and the world go by, it isn't hard to see is how the very first Ploughing Championship in horseriding, even archery, enjoy a creamy Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, range of world and classic throughout the year. www.whatsonathy.com cinema that rarely make it people with artistic leanings could be 1931? To see it return to its home was the pint, a bite to eat, a chat and the craic . 5stg Banjo and Double Bass to commercial cinema. Shopping in Athy inspired. John Minahen’s photography has highlight of 2009 and 2010. with lead & harmony Christmas 086 2112046. A feature of shopping in Athy is that the vast majority of its retail always been about interesting faces. Cecil Day We are lucky to have and proud to share our singing. Athy was the first Chocolate Festival outlets are independently owned by local business people, with Lewis was born locally, and continues to [email protected] In 2009 and 2010 local girls Charmaine great location, warm personalities, our town ever bluegrass festival to be The ShopAthy Christmas fashion, craft and giftware, hardware, food outlets, supermarkets, hair inspire young writers today through the Cecil Kenny and Clare Kambamettu (pictured held in Ireland in 1991. It has Chocolate Festival is back and beauty salons and a great selection of restaurants and bars. spirit and outstanding facilities. With all these Day Lewis Literary awards. The town resounds right) won the hearts of the nation at the a fan base from all over again and this year it’s going Shopping in Athy is a stress free enjoyable experience with something assets it’s no wonder that Athy was chosen as 2009 Rose for everyone. There are a number of unique and elegant shops which with musicality, from local sessions to concerts Dome in Kerry when they were crowned the of Tralee Ireland and abroad and is from funsize to kingsize! cater for that special occasion, providing you with something special at the new Arts Centre, Clem O'Brien’s Blue 51st and 52nd Roses of Tralee. affectionately known as Come and join us 3rd to 6th and different to wear. www.shopathy.com