Start your walking tour of Athy historic town located along the banks of the River Barrow in Ireland’s county Kildare, at the bustling Market Square, the vibrant heart of Athy where locals gather and the air hums with everyday Irish life, before strolling along Duke Street towards the imposing White’s Castle, a formidable 15th-century tower house constructed from sturdy stone that overlooks the flowing River Barrow.
As you approach this landmark, imagine the clatter of armour and the strategic importance of its position at the ford, a site that has guarded the crossing since the town’s founding in the second century, named after Ae, the son of a Munster king slain in battle here.
From there, continue upwards to Emily Square, where the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum awaits in a grand former courthouse, offering immersive exhibits on the town’s past, including a dedicated Shackleton Experience that chronicles the daring Antarctic expeditions of Sir Ernest Shackleton, Athy’s most famous son born nearby in 1874. Pause to admire the striking bronze statue of Shackleton in the square, capturing his resolute gaze towards distant horizons, a fitting tribute to the explorer.
The centre itself, with its artefacts and interactive displays, provides a captivating glimpse into polar history and local lore, perfect for fuelling your imagination before pressing on. Veer onto Leinster Street, lined with quaint shops and inviting eateries such as Clancy’s Bar & Restaurant, where you might savour a hearty beef and Guinness stew or fresh seafood, embracing the town’s culinary traditions in a cosy, traditional setting.
For a quicker refreshment, pop into The Coffee Dock for an artisan brew or hot chocolate, energising you for the next leg along Stanhope Street, home to upscale dining at The Bay Tree, which showcases local ingredients in elegant dishes amid a refined ambience. As the route loops towards Crom-a-Boo Bridge, named after the battle cry of the Fitzgerald dynasty, take in the scenic path beside the River Barrow, where the gentle waters merge with the Grand Canal, part of the expansive Barrow Blueway trail that stretches 46 kilometres for those inclined to extend their wanderings into cycling or further walks through picturesque landscapes dotted with locks and mills like Levitstown.
Then return to the new Shackleton exhibition, because, as the famous Antarctic saying goes, you may be some time. This 1-2 mile route captures Athy’s historic charm, local eats, and riverside beauty.
Ireland county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Largest town walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Ireland’s County Kildare:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles– Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
