Home | Medieval Athenry | Web | Chronicle | Archaeology, Education, People

Swangate, Loro Gate, Geata Láragh

Info

Loro Gate –  Swangate – Geata Láragh – Central Gate

In the Book of Survey and Distribution map, circa 1583, of Athenry this gate is called Laragh Gate. This is an anglicised version of the Irish name “Geata Láragh” meaning the “Central Gate” or Main Gate!

“Loro” is an anglicised abbreviation of the vernacular pronunciation of the Irish name “Láragh”

Folklore tells us that this gate was named Swangate because at one time Sergeant Swan was the Keeper of the Gate and had a shebeen nearby! Nothing to do with the bird “swan” (“Eala” in Irish)

The land outside this gate is called “Laragh Gate Quarter” and in the map it was in the possession of a number of citizens of the town – “All Irish Papists”

Swangate
Laragh Gate Quarter – compliments of the National Archives of Ireland

Swangate

Council workers carrying out roadworks in Athenry, Co Galway, have made an important medieval discovery. The workers, who were preparing the ground for a new roundabout on the main Galway road, uncovered a portion of the town’s main entrance gate – Fiona Gartland, Irish Times.

Swangate
Work in progress at Láragh Gate, Athenry – 01 Feb 2014

Swangate, Loro Gate, Geata Láragh

Geata Láragh – Loro Gate

 

– –

Written by Finbarr O'Regan

Published here 05 Feb 2021

– –

More on this subject:

Athenry Medieval Gate Uncovered (Record)

Swangate (Record)

- -

Medieval Athenry

Medieval Athenry

Athenry is wonderfully unique because it is one of the best preserved medieval w… Here some recent records:

Explore

Chronicle

Athenry Heritage Company Report - April 1996
Eamonn Neary, President Athenry Chamber of , recently presented a cheq… by Madelyn Brody
Athenry Journal Archive | Art, Education, Entertainment, History, People

Contribute

Many thanks to all our writers, researchers and contributors who have made this collation of writing a meaningful historical record. If you would like to add an article, news, thoughts, opinions, photos or anything else to the Athenry.org Library please contact our Editor, Finbarr O’Regan at: oreganathenry@gmail.com
Contact
About

About the project

Find out how it all began and meet the editor.

Read
Links

Community links

Links to our pick of local community places.

Search
Links

Other publications

Recommended good reads by other local writers.

Browse
Letters

Letters to the editor

Comments, reviews and letters from readers.

Read
Carnaun School Athenry

Carnaun school

The legacy website created by Finbarr’s students.

Visit
© 2021 O’Regan’s Athenry Archive | Copyright | Contributors | Privacy | Cookies | Login | A Follyfox Design