Athea

Infobox Irish Place
name = Athea
gaeilge = Áth an tSléibhe
crest

motto =
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pin coords = left: 20px; top: 65px
north coord = 52.450988
west coord = 9.054623
irish grid = R282336
area =
county = County Limerick
town pop = 2,000 (Approx.)
rural pop = 1,977
census yr = 2006
province = Munster
web =
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Athea (Irish place name|Áth an tSléibhe) is a village in west County Limerick, located near Newcastle West in the mid-west of Ireland. The settlement flourished after a road was built from Abbeyfeale to Glin in the 1830s which resulted in Athea being at a crossroads with the road from Listowel to Limerick. Athea has a church, and the town is the centre for the Catholic parish of Athea, encompassing several townlands.

Con Colbert, the youngest man to be executed by the British after the Easter Rising in 1916, was born in the parish of Athea in 1888.

The folklorist and historian Kevin Danaher was born and raised about a mile outside the town. There were also a number of other famous people from Athea, including the Ahern brothers of Olympian fame, David Quaid served with The Royal Munster Fusiliers from 1897 - 1909 he fought at the battles of Belmont, The Modder River and The Relief Of Ladysmith during The Boer War in South Africa 1899 - 1902, he later served with his regiment in India under Lord Kitchener. David Quaid is buried in the "Old Graveyard" in Templeathea.

In 2007, Lisa Murtagh, whose mother is an Athea native, was crowned 48th Rose of Tralee. She was representing New York but acknowledged that Athea was her "second home" in her speech at the pageant in 2008.

Geography

Topography

Athea is built on the river Galey and the crossroads of the R523 (Reens - Listowel) and R524 (Glin - Abbeyfeale) regional roads. It is a few miles east of the Limerick/Kerry border in the rolling hills of west Limerick and is one of the highest settlements in the county. It's highest point is in the Parkanna townland where surrounding towns and counties can be seen.

River Galey

The Galey (known locally as "Gale") is a tributary to the larger River Feale. The name is derived from the Gaelic "Abhainn na Gáile", River of the Gaille, a tribe who lived along its banks. In times of heavy rain, especially in winter, the river swells up over its banks causing floods which can last for days. There are two bridges across the river, the main one near the intersection of the R523/R524 and "Barry's Bridge" about 2.5km west of the village. Ducks and swans have taken up residence under the main bridge and the bank has been transformed into a peaceful spot where locals can sit and feed the ducks and admire the natural beauty since a clean-up was completed.

Climate

Due to its location in the southwest of Ireland, Athea is very much influenced by the North Atlantic Drift. It has a mild climate, the average daily maximum in July is 20°C (68°F) and the average daily minimum in January is 4°C (39°F).

Like most places in western Ireland, Athea has suffered severe flooding this past summer with residences sustaining serious damage especially along the river Galey. Athea National School also incured minor damage.

The Village

There are two streets in Athea, Colbert Street (the main street) and Dalton Street (formerly Barrack Street). The Parish of Athea is the largest in County Limerick, surpassing even Limerick City in size. St. Bartholomew's Church is located on Colbert Street and the village has two graveyards, Holy Cross on the outskirts of the village and The "Old Graveyard" in Templeathea just over a mile away. The village has been suffering economically in recent years. Business closures are slowly downgrading the social status the town once had. Pubs, shops and the local petrol station are some of the hardest hit establishments.

Architecture

In recent years the village has made significant improvements such as the refurbishment of the local community centre (Con Colbert Memorial Hall) and the building of a footbridge across the river Galey.

The Memorial Hall is the location of most meetings, sports events and other gatherings among locals. Over the last few years it has undergone a major extension which saw the installation of a state-of-the-art sports complex. The cost of the renovation neared €1 million and despite charity donations, government grants and other fundraising efforts, the local council is still faced with a massive debt.

A footbridge was recently built over the river beside the existing road bridge. It had been proposed for years for the local school pupils who were crossing the busy road bridge and endangering their safety. It was opened in 2005 by Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick, who dedicated it to the late Pope John Paul II.

St. Bartholomew's Church is arguably the centrepiece of the town's architecture. It is located on the main street and was built in 1832. It underwent renovations in 1862 and 1976/77. The church spire can be seen from all approach roads to the village and depending on the wind direction, the bell can be heard in many areas around the parish daily at 12:00, 18:00, mass times and funerals.

The local primary school is on the outskirts of the village, across the river Gale. It was built in 1921 with capacity for 100 students. A large extension is scheduled to be completed by November 2008.

The creamery at the top of the street was the centre of agribusiness for several decades before the demise of the industry lead to its closure in the late 1990s. It can still be seen today in its original condition.

Across the road at a Y junction is Bowne's Shop which was once the residence of the local landlord. It is said he built his house at the top of the street so he could look down on the village when he wished.

Townlands

The large parish of Athea is divided into 25 townlands:Athea Lower [Áth an tSléibhe Íochtair - the fort of the mountain] Athea Upper [Áth an tSléibhe Uachtar - the fort of the mountain] Clash North [An Chlais - the trench] Clash South [An Chlais - the trench] Coole East [An Chúil - the corner] Coole West [An Chúil - the cornerCratloe East [An Chreatalach - a sallow wood] Cratloe West [An Chreatalach - a sallow wood] Direen Lower [An Doirín - the small thicket] Direen Upper [An Doirín - the small thicket] Dromada [Drom Fhada - long ridge] Glashapullagh [Glaise an Phollaigh - the stream of the place of holes] Glenagower [Gleann an Ghabhair - the glen of the goat] Gortnagross [Gort na gCros - the field of the crosses] Keale North [An Caol - the narrow feature] Keale South [An Caol - the narrow feature] Knockdown [Cnoc Donn - brown hill] Knockfinisk [Cnoc Finnisce - hill of bright water] Knocknagorna [Cnoc na gCoirneach - the hill of the clerics] Parkanna [An Pháirc - the field] Rooskagh [Rúscach - marshy place] Templeathea East [Teampaill an tSléibhe - The church of the mountain] Templeathea West [Teampaill an tSléibhe - The church of the mountain] Tooradoo [Na Tuara Dubha - the black animal enclosures] Tooreendonnell [Tuairín Dónaill - the small animal enclosure of Dónall] Source: Diocese of Limerick

Parklands

The village has some areas where people can exercise and take in the natural beauty of the area.

Markievicz Park

This is a housing estate in the centre of Athea village that also contains a green area for recreation.

The Giant's Garden

This is a walk from the community centre to Holy Cross Cemetery in Templeathea. It is named after a legend that incorporates a giant carrying his deceased mother on his shoulders to be buried. The walk is well kept with trees and flowers complementing the scenery of the surrounding hillside.

Culture and Contemporary Life

Athea, like most Irish settlements is home to a wide array of traditional Irish music and dancing. Pub culture also sprawls here with up to 12 pubs in the village at one stage. Also like many other towns, Athea has had its influx of immigrants from the UK, USA, Poland and China whose cultures are also celebrated.

Entertainment

The pubs around Athea village have events most weekends drawing locals into the town. Pub quizzes, card games, karaoke and traditional music competitions are held regularly. Annually big events such as the Athea Motorcycle Road Races, Vintage Rally and TradFéile are held during summer months drawing large crowds to Athea village.

Athea Motorcycle Road Races

This is an annual event which draws thousands to the village each June. It is considered very important to the local economy and in 2007 an estimated 18,000 descended on the village according to Gardaí. The Motor Cycle Races are a two day event taking place on a Saturday and Sunday at the end of June. This year's event took place on the 28th and 29th June. The races attract spectators from all over Ireland, the UK and indeed even further afield. Names such as Martin Finnegan and William Dunlop have taken part in the event in the past. A fun fair is usually brought to the village the week before the festival.

The future of the festival was put in doubt after it took place in 2008 due to sponsorship issues. It has now been confirmed, however that next year's races will go ahead as planned on 26-28 June 2009.

ports

Gaelic football and soccer are the two most common sports in Athea with each having its own complex. Basketball is also a popular pastime.

The GAA club recently had its pitch and clubhouse refurbished and games take place during the summer months. It is home to Athea GAA (Áth an tSléible CLG). The colours of the team are maroon and white, reflecting the colours of the Athea flag.

Athea United Athletic Football Club (Athea Utd. AFC) is the local soccer establishment and moved to a new site in 2000. The club recently installed Synthetic Field Grass and has invested heavily into its amenities. It is said to be one of the best sports pitches in the county. The team colours are blue and white. Games take place during the winter months.

Athea Blazers is the name of the local basketball team. The club was formed just 3 years ago. and has its base at Con Colbert Memorial Hall. The team colours are red and blue.

Fishing is also popular along the river and in an artificial "lake" on the Glin road.

Media

The village was the setting for the local drama sequel "Hard Times" which released three videos. The dramas used local actors and was an instant hit with local residents and neighbouring towns.

The "Athea & District News" newsletter is published by local print company Cáirde Dúchas on a weekly basis. It features local columnists discussing lifestyle issues which affect local people as well as current affairs. It also contains articles for the neighbouring towns of Carrigkerry and Abbeyfeale.

The "Weekly Observer" newspaper which contains articles for towns over much of west Limerick has an "Athea Notes" column resulting in it being a household newspaper in Athea.

Ecomomy

Athea is no longer the active marketplace it once was. Numerous shops and pubs have closed as bigger chains have opened in the larger towns. There was once three petrol stations in the village; now there is none. Although there have been closures in Athea, more people have moved to the area and the village is still growing with housing estates still proposed for the outskirts.

Law and Government

While the village is governed by the state and the local County Council, the church still has a large influence in this area with much financing for local projects being sought from the church.

The village has one Garda station and is policed by one full-time Garda.

At election times, the school is used as the polling station.

Crime

The most common criminal offence in the area is drug abuse. The village has built a bad reputation for being a trading spot for drugs.

Infrastructure

Education

There is one primary school - Athea National School (Athea NS) - which was built in 1921. Before this a small thatched schoolhouse was located centrally in the village. The local Church has a big say in the running of the school and the Board of Management is chaired by a local priest.

Although there are no post-primary schools in Athea, bus transport is available to secondary schools in nearby Abbeyfeale (St. Ita's, St. Joseph's and Abbeyfeale Vocational School) and Tarbert (Tarbert Comprehensive).

Most popular colleges and universities for Athea students include University of Limerick and University College Cork.

Health

The village holds two medical clinics. Westbury Medical Centre is located just outside the town on the R523 to Listowel. A smaller clinic is on Dalton Street and is operated by the Mid Western Health Board. When the local clinics are closed, a 24 hour service serving all of west Limerick is available - ShannonDoc - which comes to the home in an emergency.

Transportation

There is no real public transport service offered to the locals apart from a once-weekly Limerick-Tralee bus route that stops in Athea every Wednesday.

There are many local Hackney services available especially at weekends.

There are 2 airports within 2 hours of Athea: Kerry Airport and Shannon International Airport serving international destinations.

Closest train stations to Athea are the Colbert Station in Limerick City and Charleville in County Cork.

Utilities

Electricity is provided by the ESB. While there are no gas lines near the area, cylinders are widely available for home use. Household waste is collected weekly by Southwest Bins Ltd. and most of the area undertakes recycling.

ee also

* List of towns in Ireland