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Athea derives its name from Ath an tSléibhe which means the "fort of the high moorland". It is situated between Glin and Abbeyfeale. Up to recent times the parish was known as Rathronan. In the 18th century there was a hedge school there opened by the famous Irish poet Michael O' Longain whose father was a steward to the Knight of Glin. Athea Bridge, formally a wooden structure, was replaced in 1860 by the present structure over the river Galey. A man fell through it while involved in a faction fight and was impaled in one of its wooden poles. During the great famine it is said a woman starved to death while sheltering underneath one of its arches. There were many great athletes from Athea. Dan Ahern held the world record in the Hop, Skip and Jump in the early part of the last century and his brother Tim won an Olympic Gold medal in London in 1908. There is a Community hall dedicated to the memory of Con Colbert in Athea. He was one of the executed leaders of the 1916 rising. There are two holy wells in Athea, Tobar Mhichil and Tobermurry. Tober Mhichil in the townland of Gortnagross, and in the 19th century it was known as a holy well. It now supplies water to Athea village. Tobermurry is in the townland of Templeathea. The pattern day for this well is 24th August, St Bartholemew's feastday.The water is said to cure many ailments Legend: A trout is seen by someone whose request will be granted. A blind horse was brought to make the rounds, the horse was cured and the owner became blind. |