09. Geataí

Geataí

Tá cúig cinn de phríomhbhealaí isteach go Baile Átha an Rí. Bhíodh geata crochta mar chosaint le túr an gheata. As adhmad nó as miotal a bhíodh sin déanta, nó uaireanta as an dá chineál. Bhíodh poill feallmharaithe le cuid acu, poll cúng sa bhalla trína gcaití uisce fiuchta amach. Bhíodh sin mar chosaint freisin le túir agus le háirsí.

Bhíodh cáin nó cíos á ghearradh ag na geataí agus bhíodh ar an dream a thagadh isteach le tráchtáil a dhéanamh sciar den ábhar thabhairt do lucht an gheata. Bhíodh Geata Niocláis a tógadh sa 14^ú céad suite ó thuaidh de Shráid na hEaglaise. B’shin é an príomhgheata ar an gceann thiar den bhaile cé nach bhfuil lorg ar bith de ar fáil sa lá atá inniu ann. Tá dochar mór déanta don talamh san áit a mbíodh an geata agus d’fhéadfadh sé go bhfuil iarsma éigin de Gheata Niocláis faoin talamh ansin go fóill.

Gates

Athenry has 5 main entrances. The gate towers were guarded by portcullis which were wood or metal or often a mix of both. Sometimes they had murder holes; a small hole in the wall; where boiling water was thrown out of, they also guarded with towers or arches.

The gates acted as a toll because when people were coming into trade they would have to give some of their valuables. The Nicholas Gate was located North of Church Street; it was built in the 14^th century. Nicholas Gate was the major West Gate, although there is nothing to mark the gate now. The ground where the gate used to be is now badly damaged. There is still a chance that some part of the Nicholas Gate may remain underground.