The Athenry Heritage Centre is involved in a number of historical and restoration projects aimed at preserving and enhancing
the rich cultural heritage of Athenry town and the local area. Below is selection of some of the projects we have taken great pleasure and pride in being part of. Many thanks go to the people who helped and supported us and the community in carrying out these projects.
Since 2006, the Athenry Heritage Centre in partnership with Galway County Council have curated Athenry's Walled Towns Day.
This one day festival provides a programme of events which showcases the Anglo-Norman influences in the medieval town of Athenry. The event is held in the Community Park, Athenry Castle, the Heritage Centre and the Community Hall.
The Athenry Arts and Heritage Centre provides a platform for local artists, writers and community arts groups to showcase their work and demonstrate the quality of local talent from the community of Athenry. The centre also provides a range of cultural activities which are inclusive for all ages and abilities.
Madden's Forge has been part of Athenry’s history for over 100 years. The building is an iconic feature for the town and many people have fond memories of the blacksmith working at the forge and hearing the sound of the hammer against the anvil.
Eamon Madden was the last blacksmith of the forge and he closed its doors in 2007, aged 80 years. The building remained unoccupied from this time and the fixtures and fittings reflected a bygone era where objects were made by a skilled craftsman.
Every year, as part of the education programme for Athenry's Walled Towns Day, the Heritage Officer Marie Mannion and the Manager of the Athenry Heritage Centre, Alan Burgess, develop a schools project to increase awareness of the medieval history of Athenry.
In 2014, the concept of a comic book illustrating the town's Anglo-Norman heritage was developed and the project increased its scope with the inclusion of Loughrea, a nearby medieval town, whose history was similar to Athenry's.
As part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, the centre curated a special exhibition to commemorate the Easter Uprising in Athenry. The Twelve Apostles were volunteers who took part in the rebellion and were subsequently arrested and imprisoned in the U.K.
The Athenry Past & Present booklet was first published in 2014 and it represents the conservation work carried out on the defensive walls and towers since 2008.
The initial Conservation & Management plan which was commissioned in 2008 identified numerous concerns for the conservation and preservation of the medieval walls and towers of Athenry. These works commenced in 2009 with the South East & Northwest Towers and has progressed to southeast and northwest walls. The work is continuing with the North Gate and south wall of the town.
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St. Mary's,The Square,
Athenry,
Co. Galway,
Rep. of Ireland
Phone: 091 844661
Email: athenryheritagecentre@gmail.com
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