From Slater’s Directory

Source: Galway Advertiser 20/1/2000

Slater’s Directory for 1856 has this to say about the town of Athenry:

“Athenry is a small incorporated market and post town, partly in the baronies of Clare, Dunkellin, Kilconnell and Tiaquin, but chiefly in that of Athenry…and is on the Midland Great Western Railway…at a remote period it was surrounded by walls, with round towers fifty yards apart, which indicate it to have been a place of considerable importance. The ruins of the walls and towers, together with a castle called the ‘King’s Court’, as it is considered to have been the residence of one of the provincial kings, and was a building of great defence, are still to be seen.

 Dominican Abbey

The ruin of a Dominican Abbey here, from its antiquity and style of architecture, is the admiration of all strangers. It was founded by Myler De Bermingham, second baron of Athenry, in 1241, and was dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. A Franciscan friary was also founded here by the Earl of Kildare, in 1464

Dominican Friars

The Dominican friars who, under the protection of theO’Dalys’ of Carronkelly, took up their abode at Esker, about three miles from the town, still continue to flourish there. They have built a very neat chapel, and are about completing a college and agricultural school for the education of young gentlemen.

National Schools

There are also national schools there, wherein eight hundred of the children of the poor are daily educated, one hundred of whom are provided with food. In a house of industry here, twenty-four boys are instructed and apprenticed to trades.

Town, Bogs, Houses, Shops, Magistrates

The town is situated in the midst of a tolerably fruitful soil, though there is a considerable quantity of unreclaimed bog in the neighbourhood. The houses and shops are poor and the streets are narrow and unpaved. The magistrates regulate the affairs of the town, for which purpose they hold a petty session once a week.

Places of Worship

The places of worship are a church, a remarkably neat building, and a Roman Catholic chapel, a plain slated edifice.

Constabulary

There is a constabulary police barrack, a dispensary, and a national school…

Market, Fairs

The market, entitled to be held on Tuesday, is not observed, and the fairs (which are but poorly attended) are May 5, July 2, and October 20.

Population

The parish contained in 1854 4,505 inhabitants, and the town 1,487 of that number”.

Post Master

James Barrett

Professional Persons

James Barrett, land agent, and commissioner of affidavits and master extraordinary in chancery

John Bradish, master of the national school

M.W. Eager, surgeon

Nicholas Lawless, master of parochial school

John Lopdell, barrister, Prospect House

Hotels & Public Houses

Margaret Barrett, hotel and posting house

William Brown, Railway Hotel

Bridget Cannon

John Dunleavy

John Holleran

Timothy Kinneen, hotel

Bridget Whelan

Shopkeepers & Traders

Joseph Barrett, grocer and publican

Michael Belton, saddler

John Blake, ironmonger, grocer and publican

Charles Blackall, grocer and ironmonger

Martin Broderick, carpenter

Peter Broderick, grocer and butcher

John Burke, grocer and draper

Thomas Burke, carpenter

Michael Collins, provision dealer

Patrick Connolly, shoe maker

Thomas Cooney, butcher

Daniel Culkeen, car maker

Martin Daly, shoe maker

James Dennody, shopkeeper

James Fahy, clothier and dyer

Patrick Glynn, tobacconist

Thomas Grady, blacksmith

Patrick Grealey, draper and stationer

John Heavy, publican

Thomas Higgin, publican

Bryan Kelly, nail maker and leather seller

James Kelly, nail maker

Patrick Kelly, boot and shoe maker

William Kelly, publican

James Kennedy, gunsmith

Margaret Kennedy, dress maker

Thomas Kinnamore, butcher

Thomas Mitchell, grocer

John Monahan, publican

Peter Monisey, cooper

Michael Murphy, blacksmith

James Quinn, process server

James Ryan, grocer and publican

John Whelan, draper

Places of Worship and their Ministers

Established Church – Rev Mark Perrin, rector

Roman Catholic Chapel – Rev Peter Curran, parish priest; Rev Austin O’Dwyer,         Curate

Midland Great Western Railway Station Master

Patrick Fallon.