Athy, Co. Kildare

Athy is pleasantly situated alongside the River Barrow and the Grand Canal, which has three locks in the town, descending to the river. The town is named after a second century chieftain, Ae, who was killed on the river crossing thus giving the town its name the ford of AE or in Irish Baile Átha Í. Athy developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement into an important military outpost on the border of the Pale. Local activities include equestrian, gliding, swimming and the many nightlife establishments.