Location: Athy
Top Things to do in Athy
What to do and see in Athy, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Athy (/əˈθaɪ/; Irish: Baile Átha Í, meaning "town of the ford of Ae") is a market town at the meeting of the River Barrow and the Grand Canal in south-west County Kildare, Ireland, 72 kilometres southwest of Dublin. A population of 9,677 (as of the 2016 census) makes it the sixth largest town in Kildare and the 50th largest in the Republic of Ireland, with a growth rate of approximately 60% since the 2002 census.
Restaurants in Athy
1. Athy Heritage Centre-Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By ricklangley - Birmingham England
Extremely varied collection. Lot's of stuff about Ernest Shackleton who was born nearby. But also about WW1, the Gordon Bennett race and the surprising origin of British Racing Green. Four excellent short videos on these topics to start off the visit. I liked that it was all about providing information and not tacky interactive type displays which I always find gimmicky and irritating.
2. Clancy's Athy
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By jhbothwell - Fort Worth, Texas
The owner of the B&B where we stayed recommend I go to Clancy's on Thursday night if I wanted to hear some traditional Irish music. She said get there early because the Seating gets taken up pretty quickly. I was expecting pretty large place with a stage. I walked in and it was a typical Irish pub. Really pretty small (compared to American bars). But no smaller than most I had been in in Ireland. But certainly it wasn't large enough for a stage and a music performance. So I ordered a beer and asked where they had live music. I was told to take the back exit and there was a room to the left. I thought that is where the large room with a stage would be. I went out turned right and wound up in a room about the size of a nice bedroom. It was packed with 18 - 20 musicians and a few spectators. The musicians were playing guitars, banjos, accordions, fiddles, penny whistles, uilleann pipes and more. One musician would start a tune and others would jump in. Everyone sat on benches around the room or on short stools. I have never had a greater musical experience in Ireland. A gentleman I was sitting next to told me that musicians had been meeting there every Thursday night for 50 years. My main suggestion is get there early. I was told that music started about 9. I got there at 8:30 and the music was already going. I suggest get there by 7:30. Besides the pub and the music room, there is also a larger beer garden in the back.
3. Burtown House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 137 reviews
Historic Gardens and House, with 12 acres of Gardens and parkland, The Green Barn, an organic restaurant, artisan food shop, antique furniture and interiors accessories, art galleries and sculpture park.
Reviewed By Sharon B - County Kildare, Ireland
I went for Sunday lunch to the green barn with my family on the 8th of October. It was a Birthday celebration for my daughter, I had booked a table and my family travelled from Dublin to join me. We were seated and given three menus between eight of us, I eventually went and got menus myself from the reception.
We ordered our food and it arrived an hour and a half later, at this stage we were very hungry. The food arrived in bits and pieces and it took twenty minutes for all of the main courses to come.
My grandson who is 2 got pasta and to our horror we saw a BLUEBOTTLE in his meal. We nearly died with the shock, we called over the owner James and he was extremely rude and told us “for God’s sake don’t let this ruin your meal”. His attitude was appalling and he really didn’t seem to think this was a big deal.
We ate very little of our main courses and I asked for the bill, a very nice lady gave me the bill and apologized for what had happened. She said James wouldn’t charge for the pasta and gave us a complimentary chips, shock again!!!
I spoke to James about this and he was so rude, he insisted on charging full price for all our meals even though we did not eat them due feeling sick from seeing a BLUEBOTTLE in my grandsons food. he threw the card machine across the counter at me and told me “ everyone had flies in their kitchens “. I was very upset at this stage and we left the restaurant.
I would not recommend this place to anyone and James needs to change his disrespectful attitude towards customers if he wants to stay in business. He also seriously needs to look at his health and safety issues before someone gets very ill.
4. Paddy Dunne's Bar & Lounge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By sandraorourkeglynn - Dublin, Ireland
This is a local bar and if you were here 50 years ago you are very likely to see some of the same customers. The service is as good as it gets and the banter is what people come for. If you are new in town or passing through and on your own Paddy Dunne's will provide the chat you might need to pass your day or evening.
Family run Bar & Lounge Located in Athy. Live Music for events, parties catered. Fresh beer, professionally poured, great service, attentive staff. Outstanding hot whiskey. Full service Bar, Lounge and Snug, Pool table, smoking area, excellent bar staff sports shown on TV live, e Horse racing, GAA, Soccer and Rugby.
Are you partial to a putt yourself? Why not join the Paddy Dunne's Golf team? Bit of exercise, bit of craic, bit of banter with the lads followed by some great service at Paddy Dunne's. There's an off license onsite also.
5. Athy Boat Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Athy Boat Tours provide 1 hour, 3 hour and 5 hours professional boat tours on the Barrow Navigation. 1 hour tours depart at 10am and 12pm, 3 hour tours depart at 2pm. Maximum 12 passengers per tour. Wheelchair accessible throughout. Fully central heated. Online Booking. Athy Boat Tours can guarantee you a stunning boat tour with majestic views and breath taking features.
Reviewed By 200Gill33 - Athy, Ireland
Our whole immediate family had a day out, 6 adults and 5 children - the youngest were aged 3 and 2. We were made very welcome on board. The crew were very helpful indeed and served us with tea/coffee and biscuits and sweets. We all...MoreThank you for your review. We are delighted you and your family had a great experience. It was great to have you on board.
6. Rock Frocks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By QuirkyGirl1 - Ireland
I visited this shop to get an outfit for a family wedding and I wasn't disappointed. Loads of stock to choose from and they stock up to size 26 which is great. The staff are so friendly and helpful. The dresses are very flattering - The hardest part was choosing just one! If you are looking for something different for an occasion I highly recommend taking a trip to this fabulous shop!
7. Nagarina Thai Massage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
A professional massage service. In the massage industry offered many types of massage .But our service is traditional thai massage and relax non sexual in any kind.
Reviewed By bridandtom - County Laois, Ireland
Nagarina is a wonderful therapist and she gives a really good massage. Reasonable priced also and free parking in the parish church carpark
8. The Duke
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By bridandtom - County Laois, Ireland
I came on a Sunday afternoon music session here by surprise. A great vibe. Newly refurbished. Friendly chatty staff.
9. Crookstown Craft Village
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Donna B - Sheffield, United Kingdom
We were very disappointing - having read about this place on the web we were looking forward to visiting. It's very small and quaint but the main shop was closed, only the flower shop and hat maker was open and this was over an hour after advertised opening hours. There isn't a Deli - there's a coffee shop at the Service Station which has some nice cakes and sandwiches but not much room to sit so left after 5 minutes
