Athy - People

People

• Philip Crosthwaite (December 27, 1825–February 19, 1903) was an early settler of San Diego, California and Rosarito, Baja California. Fought and wounded in the Mexican War. Became the mayor of San Diego.
• John Minihan who was Samuel Beckett's official photographer, and was originally from Athy, took a series of world famous photographs of the town. Beginning in the early sixties this body of work showed the changes in the town from that time.
• Jack Wall is the local TD for the town. Athy has a tradition of returning a Labour Party candidate.
• Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh famously referred to Athy in his poem "Lines written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin", as a "far-flung town". The town is also recalled in the well-known folk songs "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye", "Lannigans Ball" and "We're on the Road to Sweet Athy". Among Athy's many famous inhabitants are Liam O'Flynn of Planxty, the award winning writer John MacKenna, the singer Jack L, and You're A Star finalists The Sullivan Brothers.
• Johnny Marr - Influential musician, with Morrisey formed the Smiths, his parents were born in the Athy area, his mother from Castledermot and his father from Kilkea
• James Joyce's novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man contains a character named Athy, who was named after the town.
• Ernest Shackleton, polar explorer was born in Kilkea near Athy.
• Elizabeth Lawlor, student at Waterford Institute of Technology became well known for her portrayal of Snow White nationally in live show Santa's Magical Trail. She was also notably active in charity work & various committees in Athy. Elizabeth currently resides in Waterford City.
• George Lyttleton-Rogers (July 10, 1906 – 1963) ; thirteen times Irish tennis champion and world professional doubles champion.