Retracing Our Irish Roots | Athy Family History from Galway to Kerry

This film documents our journey across Ireland retracing the history of the Athy family, beginning with medieval Europe and ending with our closest personal connection—our great-grandmother Lola Athy Wilson. Through castles, abbeys, small towns, and family landmarks, we explore how a name traveled, changed, and ultimately became Irish.

Our story begins with Gérard d’Athée, a 13th-century military commander whose rise in the English court led to conflict with the barons and earned him a rare mention in the Magna Carta. From there, we follow the Athy name into Ireland—through Walter Athy of Galway, whose loyalty to Ireland cost him land and power, and John de Athy, who later served as sheriff of County Kerry, showing how the family became fully rooted in Irish life.

The journey takes us from Tralee, Dingle, and Killarney National Park to iconic sites like Muckross House and Abbey, Minard Castle, the Gap of Dunloe, Ring of Kerry, Jerpoint Abbey, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, Guinness Storehouse, Classiebawn Castle, Rinville (Galway), and beyond. Along the way, we experience Ireland through food, whiskey distilleries, landscapes, ruins, and the kindness of the people we meet.

This trip was sparked by a genealogy book our mom shared with us—opening a door to a history we never fully understood—and became a way to connect past and present, place and family. It’s a travel film, a history project, and a personal record for our future generations.

If you’re interested in Irish ancestry, Galway history, the Thirteen Tribes of Galway, Irish castles, or traveling Ireland through heritage, this film is for you.

Special thanks to my son, Hazen, whose tin whistle playing adds a personal touch to this film.

Table of Contents:
0:00 – Athy family origins & Magna Carta - Galway, Kerry & Irish rebellion history
1:21 – Tralee, Dingle & Ring of Kerry
8:03 – Jerpoint Abbey & Kilkenny
10:41 – Middleton Distillery, Blarney Castle & Kinsale
13:23 – Rock of Cashel & More Whiskey
16:45 – Dublin and Guinness Storefront - Pubs at Night
18:59 – Sean's Bar in Athlone - Donegal - Classiebahn Castle & Slieve League Cliffs
22:50 – Dungloe & Highland Cows - Dunlewey Church & Crohy Head
26:07 – Northern Ireland - Dark Hedges, Giant's Causeway, and Dunluce Castle
27:45 – Galway roots & Rinville Castle - Athenry
33:30 – The Burren - Cliffs of Moher
34:05 – Bunratty Castle Banquet
34:52 – Closing Statement and Photos

#IrishAncestry
#familyhistory
#AthyFamily
#GenealogyJourney
#irelandtravel

Image credits:
Rinville House - Dr. Patrick Melvin & Eamonn de Burca
Guinness Storefront Floor Plan - Treva Couturier
King John Magna Carta - History.com
Irish Confederate Wars - Go.To.Ireland.com
Irish Parliament - Wikipedia.com

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