Athy, situated in the south of Co. Kildare, is a market town on the convergence of the River Barrow and Grand Canal. The town is named after a second century AD chieftain Ae who was killed on the river crossing thus giving the town its name meaning "the town by Ae's ford". Today the old Market House, which is situated in the town centre and adjacent to the majestic River Barrow, is the home of the impressive Heritage Centre.