Athlone is a town in central Ireland on the banks of the River Shannon and features a mediaeval castle.
Among those born there were Jimmy Elliott, (1838-1883) world heavyweight boxing champion from 1865 to 1868 and the novelist John Broderick, (1924-1989).
2. Carrickfergus
Answer: Carraig Fhearghais
The name in Gaelic means "The Rock of Fergus".
Located in Co Antrim on the shores of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus is a commuter town for Belfast.
The town dates its establishment to 1170, making it older than Belfast.
The town is famed in music through the tune "Carrickfergus" and the song ""I Wish I Was in Carrickfergus".
Famous people born in the town include the actor Jackie Woodburne, and novelist Adrian McKinty.
The poet and satirist Jonathan Swift lived in Kilroot, on the outskirts of the town, and wrote "A Tale of a Tub" there.
3. Lisdoonvarna
Answer: Lios Dúin Bhearna
The name in Gaelic means "Fort of the gapped keep".
Lisdoonvarna is famous throughout Ireland for its annual matchmaking festival. Single people from throughout the island, and some from farther afield, travel there in the hope of meeting a new partner.
The town is in County Clare and was established around a spa in about 1845.
4. Castlebar
Answer: Caisleán an Bharraigh
The name in Gaelic means "Barry's Castle".
Castlebar is the county town of Mayo and was established around a Norman castle built in about 1235.
Famous people from the town included Louis Brennan, who invented the steerable torpedo; Margaret Burke-Sheridan, opera singer; and William Joyce Sewell, Union colonel during American Civil War (and later a Senator).
Charles Haughey, the former Taoiseach, Irish Prime Minister, was also born in Castlebar. He was known as "the Teflon Taoiseach" because no amount of mud or scandal thrown his way ever stuck.
5. Dungannon
Answer: Dún Geanainn
The name in Gaelic means "Geanann's stronghold" and the town was once the capital of Ireland.
Located in County Tyrone, Dungannon was a stronghold of the O'Neill clan, who built a castle there in the 14th Century.
In more modern times, Dungannon has seen a large influx of workers from Eastern Europe and you are more likely to hear Polish spoken on the streets than Gaelic.
Well-known people born in the town include the the golfer Darren Clarke; and actor Colin Morgan.
6. Downpatrick
Answer: Dún Phádraic
The name in Gaelic means "Patrick's Fort."
Downpatrick is the county town of County Down. Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, is said to be buried at the town's cathedral.
The town has a strong musical tradition. The bands Ash, Relish and Rosetta Stone all hail from Downpatrick.
7. Clonmel
Answer: Cluain Meala
The name in Gaelic means "Honey Meadow".
Clonmel is the county town of Tipperary and is noted for its sporting heritage, particularly in horse racing and greyhound racing.
8. Newry
Answer: An Iúraigh
The name in Gaelic means "Grove of the Yew Trees".
Newry is a city close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Evidence of bronze age settlements has been found in the area. Later, it was a viking settlement.
Well-known people from the city include footballer Pat Jennings; actors John and Susan Lynch; Australian politician William Irvine; and golfer Ronan Rafferty.
9. Derry
Answer: Doire Cholm Cille
The name in Gaelic means "St. Columba's Oak Grove"
The name was changed to Londonderry when the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I in 1662.
The name remains a source of controversy, with many people preferring to call it "Derry" and others "Londonderry" for political reasons.
To cater for sensitivities, some people started to call it Derry/Londonderry, which inevitably led to the nickname "Stroke City".
The city has long been a trading centre of the North West of Ireland. Many Irish people who emigrated to the USA or Canada started their voyage at the Port of Derry.
Notable people born in Derry-Londonderry include the actors Amanda Burton and Roma Downey; the musicians Phil Coulter, Nadine Coyle and Dana; and the Nobel Prize-winning scientist William C. Campbell.
10. Cork
Answer: Corcaigh
Cork is a city in the south west of Ireland. The name comes from the Irish Corach - marsh.
Cork was a monastic settlement founded by Saint Finbarr in the 6th century, and in 10th Century was settled by Vikings.
The pirate Anne Bonny was a native of the city, although it is unknown whether she ever encountered Sir George Callaghan, Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Navy. William Ford, father of the US industrialist Henry Ford, was also born in Cork.
While Cork had a strong Irish Nationalist tradition, 15 of its citizens were to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour Great Britain can bestow.
In the world of film and entertainment, well-known Cork natives include Danny La Rue, and Cillian Murphy.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
