History
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1813 | 3,192 | — |
| 1821 | 3,693 | +15.7% |
| 1831 | 4,494 | +21.7% |
| 1841 | 4,698 | +4.5% |
| 1851 | 3,873 | −17.6% |
| 1861 | 4,124 | +6.5% |
| 1871 | 4,510 | +9.4% |
| 1881 | 4,181 | −7.3% |
| 1891 | 4,886 | +16.9% |
| 1901 | 3,599 | −26.3% |
| 1911 | 3,535 | −1.8% |
| 1926 | 3,460 | −2.1% |
| 1936 | 3,628 | +4.9% |
| 1946 | 3,639 | +0.3% |
| 1951 | 3,752 | +3.1% |
| 1956 | 3,948 | +5.2% |
| 1961 | 3,842 | −2.7% |
| 1966 | 4,069 | +5.9% |
| 1971 | 4,654 | +14.4% |
| 1979 | 4,755 | +2.2% |
| 1981 | 5,565 | +17.0% |
| 1986 | 5,449 | −2.1% |
| 1991 | 5,204 | −4.5% |
| 1996 | 5,306 | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 6,058 | +14.2% |
| 2006 | 7,943 | +31.1% |
| 2011 | 10,490 | +32.1% |
Athy or Baile Átha Í is named after a 2nd century chieftain, Ae, who is said to have been killed on the river crossing, thus giving the town its name "the town of Ae's ford".
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important stronghold on the local estates of the FitzGerald earls of Kildare, who built and owned the town for centuries.
The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century. The completion of the Grand Canal in 1791, linking here with the River Barrow, and the arrival of the railway in 1846, illustrate the importance of the town as a commercial centre. From early on in its history Athy was a garrison town loyal to the Crown. English garrisons stayed in the Military Barracks in Barrack Lane after the Crimean War and contributed greatly to the town's commerce. Home for centuries to English soldiers, Athy gave more volunteer soldiers to the Great War of 1914-18 than any other of similar size town in Ireland.
The town is twinned since 2003 with French town of Grandvilliers (département Oise-Picardy). The French twinning committee is named "La Balad'Irlandaise" . Towns official visits are each two years. Colleges are organising once a year students exchanges. Musicians from Athy often go to Grandvilliers.
Read more about this topic: Athy
Famous quotes containing the word history:
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—Jonathan Raban (b. 1942)
“To summarize the contentions of this paper then. Firstly, the phrase ‘the meaning of a word’ is a spurious phrase. Secondly and consequently, a re-examination is needed of phrases like the two which I discuss, ‘being a part of the meaning of’ and ‘having the same meaning.’ On these matters, dogmatists require prodding: although history indeed suggests that it may sometimes be better to let sleeping dogmatists lie.”
—J.L. (John Langshaw)
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—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)