Athy is an Anglo-Norman town located at one of the principal bridges across the river Barrow which separated the Gaelic Irish of the midlands from the more Protestant controlled lands to the east of the river and closer to the Pale. The town was therefore subject to attack from the native Irish from the 14-16^th centuries. Whites Castle’s strategic location at the bridge featured significantly during several rebellions including The Kildare rebellion of 1534 when it was captured and –recaptured by the Irish including the new Earl of Kildare, Silken Thomas.

We were pleased to have secured funding last year under the community Monuments Fund 2020 to prepare the Conservation Management Plan for the castle which will guide the future conservation and relationship of the castle to Athy town.