Athenry is a heritage town, with the Heritage Centre located
in the former Church of Ireland chapel which is itself set
amongst the ruins of an older 14th century Collegiate
church. The centre provides the historical context for the
town's development, chronicling its evolution from the
granting of the town charter in 1235 through to the 21st
century. Athenry's town walls rank amongst the best in the
British Isles. Dating from 1310 the walls originally
enclosed an area of some 28 hectares. Approximately
two-thirds of the original walls remain.
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Athenry lies on the Galway–Dublin main line of the Irish
rail network, at the junction of that route with the
currently disused Limerick–Sligo line (dubbed the Western
Railway Corridor). Work is now underway ('West on Track') to
re-open these passenger links, with the Ennis-Athenry
section due for re-opening by 2008 and the Athenry-Tuam
section by 2011. The town received its charter in 1235, and
Athenry Castle was built in the same year. In 1241, the
Dominican Abbey was founded, a major institution which was
eventually raised to the status of a university before being
sacked by Cromwellian soldiers. Both buildings are now
national monuments.
Athenry is very proud of its sporting tradition and is home
to many successful sporting clubs. It boasts one of the most
successful gaelic hurling teams of all time, St. Mary's
G.A.A. club who have won numerous All- Ireland Club
Championships.
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