When the Anglo-Normans arrived in Meath, the king of Bréifne was reportedly killed at Tlachtga during a meeting there with Hugh de Lacy. De Lacy – who ruled Meath from Trim Castle - granted Athboy to William de Muset in 1171. It subsequently passed to the Tuites, de Loundres, Prestons and Browns.

The earliest reference to a Norman fortification at Athboy is in 1212, to a ‘castle’ – which may have been a motte and bailey rather than a stone building, and is likely to have been located at or near Tlachtga. The first reference to the fortification of the town itself is a murage grant dating to 1306. The town was incorporated as a borough in 1337. Documentary sources suggest that by the 17th century the walls were no longer serving a defensive purpose.

One substantial section of the town wall survives, forming the southern boundary of St. James’s Church of Ireland church and of the property to its east (now a hotel). The section includes a small mural tower. Elsewhere, the line of the town defences can be traced in property boundaries on either side of the main street.

Athboy 100 was a local history project based around the centenary of the 1916 Rising, which has since developed into an active community group. The group has developed a heritage trail in the town, in collaboration with Athboy Tidy Towns, as well as a series of online resources.

We're delighted to welcome Athboy to the network as our newest member town in 2025.

Black & White Image: Athboy c.1900, Robert French, from The Lawrence Collection, National Library of Ireland.

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