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Migrations of Filipinos @ Athy
Athy is a bustling town, which is growing rapidly and whose situation near Dublin, Ireland gives it an important position in Irish life.
Athy, situated in the south of Co. Kildare,
is a market town on the convergence of the River Barrow and Grand Canal.
Recent migration of Filipinos has slowly impacting the everyday
life in Athy.
Filipinos (also known as Pinoys) help makes Athy such a thriving
town. The existence of Pinoys at this vibrant town is greatly felt. Most Pinoys here are working in health services, majority
are nurses.
Pinoy
Pinoy is a demonym used by Filipinos for their compatriots in the Philippines and around the world. Filipinos usually refer to themselves informally as Pinoy (feminine: Pinay), which is formed by taking
the last four letters of the word 'Pilipino' and adding the diminutive suffix -y. The word was coined by expatriate Filipino Americans during the 1920s and was later adopted by Filipinos in the Philippines.
Pinoy is a term of endearment and is rarely used in formal settings. The term is akin to that of a nickname which is used
by close family members and friends so that one who uses it somehow already developed some close ties with Filipinos.
The term especially gained popular currency in the late 1970s in the Philippines when a surge in patriotism made a hit song of Filipino folksinger Heber Bartolome's "Tayo'y mga Pinoy" (We are Filipinos).
The Filipino version of the reality TV series Big Brother, which began in 2005, is called Pinoy Big Brother, and has a theme tune entitled Pinoy Ako (English: I'm Filipino).
Athy History
The
town is named after a second century chieftain, Ae, who was killed on the river crossing thus giving the town its name the
ford of AE or in Irish Baile Átha Í.
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important
military outpost on the border of the pale. 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 and arrival of the railway
in 1846 illustrates the importance of the town as a commercial center.
Of the many church ruins in Athy, St. Michael's
is perhaps the most ancient. It was built in the fourteenth century. Some of the vestry and sidewalls have disappeared, but
there is still some of the original church remaining. The dedication to St. Michael is derived from the St. Michael family
who were lords of Athy and it is quite probable that it was this family who were the founders of the church.
The 15th
century White Castle
is now a private residence and unfortunately there are no public visits or tours.
Athy also has coarse, salmon and trout
fishing on the Grand Canal and the River Barrow. Places to stay include the many B&Bs
around the town, Forest Farm and Ballindrum House are but two of those available.
Transport & Communications
Athy is connected to the
Irish rail network via the Dublin–Waterford main line.
Despite being
a booming town, Athy has few local media outlets to speak of, and local news can only be found in county-wide publications
and radio stations. However, serious attempts are under way to establish a network of local programme makers and podcasters
at http://AthyRadio.com
People
- 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.
Amenities
Athy also has coarse
fishing on the Grand Canal and the River Barrow. Places to stay include the many B&Bs
around the town, Forest Farm and Ballindrum House are but two of those available.
Rehabilitation
Athy
also has Cuan Mhuire one of the biggest alcohol, drug and gambling recovery centres in the country
near the town. This Charity was started here in 1965 by Sr Consilio who came to join the Sisters of Mercy in 1959. The Cuan Mhuire charity has since spread from Athy to elsewhere in Ireland.
Athy Heritage
Centre
Athy contains the only
permanent exhibition on Ernest Shackleton, who was born not far from Athy in Kilkea House. The exhibit is housed in the Athy Heritage Centre,
which has a collection of artifacts from Athy's past as well as some interesting articles from Shackleton's expeditions. Among
the most impressive is a scale model of the Endurance. Each year the Center arranges and hosts the Shackleton
Autumn School, with speakers from around
the world to speak on different aspects of Antarctica and Shackleton's life in particular.
Sport
- Athy GAA, celebrating a long and proud tradition
- Athy Rugby Club, founded in 1880 and five
time winner of the Provincial Towns Cup
Places of Interest
Kilkea Castle
White's Castle
Trivia
It is famous for being
the answer to a question in Larry Gogan's Just A Minute (the sixty-second radio quiz). The question was: Give the name of a town in
Kildare that contains a part of the human anatomy. "A thigh" was the required answer, but the contestant named another Kildare
town (Kilcock).
 
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