Originally an area of open ground, it was here that the people of Athboy held their cattle, horse and sheep fair for many centuries. The Fair Green was gradually enclosed by walls from the 1840s onwards, with the final section of wall from the Trim Road to the Dunderry Road being built in 1944. Situated close to the Druidic settlement of the Hill of Ward/Tlachtga, it is said that it was here that the inhabitants held their sports and contests.
In October 1910, the Earl of Darnley gave the piece of land, known as the Fair Green to a board of trustees (the “Athboy Trustees”) to maintain on behalf of the people of the town. Various trustees have been looking after the affairs of the Fair Green over the past 100 years and a minute book, which has been kept since 1910, has been handed over to the county library for its records. Records show that the Fair Green was vested in a committee of trustees by the Earl of Darnley for the people of Athboy and surrounding areas at a meeting in the Market House (now Belle Marie Bridal Boutique), on 26 May 1910. After a meeting with the Athboy Trustees, who had no financial assets, the Earl vested it free of legal expense. The by-laws and standing orders were drawn up, discussed and passed. The Athboy Trustees agreed to keep the premises, walls and gates in proper order and repair, to maintain it as a public green and to replace trustees who died or retired.
The Fair Green extends to six-and-a-half acres. The stone walls were restored in 1984 and 1985 and further major developments of the Green took place in 1999 and again in 2019 when pathways were constructed and public benches and bins installed.
Athboy 100 