The little village known as Athleague to-day was called Athling Meanacain in ancient times. Athling Meanacain means the stoney fort of St. Meanacain, the patron saint of the place. His feast day is 7th of February.
People have come and gone from this valley for the past 5,000 years. Evidence of the Stone Age can be found at Fuerty Village. Lake dwellings from the bronze Age (Crannogs) remain at Stonhams and Hollygrove lakes. The Iron Age brought the Celts (Milesians) and their culture, much of which remains. At Castlestrange we have the unique La Tene Stone (300 B.C.), which is covered in curved decorations known as Celtic design.
Traces of early Christian monasteries remain at Oran, Fuerty and Ballinakill. The round tower at Oran is a reminder of Viking times. In days gone by Athleague was part of the vast territory ruled by the powerful O'Kelly's of Hy-many. Three of their castles were once situated in the parish. On the banks of the river Suck beside the village can be seen the majestic ruins of the one remaining.

Nearby stands the imposing structure of the Mill and its powerful millwheel, once driven by the swift flowing water of the Suck. Across the river on the grounds of the old cemetery was the roofless but structurally sound church of Ireland building. Formerly a church of Ireland building dating from 1842, it was restored by Suck Valley Co-Operative in 1998. Now known as the Angling/Visitor centre it houses a coffee shop, craft display, a gift shop and conference facilities.

Clan Name

Athleague is part of the ancestral home of the Kellys and forms a stage of the Beara-Breifne Greenway which is based on the historic march of O'Sullivan Beara in 1603.

Heritage Houses

For info on Rookwood House click here

Greenways Festival 2003

Athleague is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events