Essential Ireland > County Westmeath > Athlone
Athlone is a thriving business and shopping centre which is positioned right at the geographical heart of Ireland. It lies on the two banks of the River Shannon while it also glues together the provinces of Leinster and Connacht as well as the counties of Roscommon to the west and Westmeath to the east. The town is something of a major hub in this part of the country, its history having been developed over many centuries. It is home to a series of attractions and sites of historical importance but is very much firmly set in the 21st century as it continues to grow quickly today.
Located at the heart of Ireland, Athlone is a stone’s throw to the south of Lough Ree while the River Shannon flows through the town centre. This not only ensures good views and idyllic surroundings are present, it also means water sports, boat trips and other such activities are readily available in the area around the town.
Athlone is one of Ireland’s 21 walled towns and its 1210-built castle remains standing to this day but continues as a tourist attraction where it once acted as a protective barrier. Other places to visit or explore include Burgess Park in the town centre, the Clonmacnoise Monastic site and the Golden Island Shopping Centre. Further, it is also worth noting that Europe’s oldest pub is found in Athlone; it goes by the name Sean’s Bar and dates to 900AD.
Athlone has historically provided a strategic crossing point over the River Shannon and its first bridges were built over the river in 1120. It had been developed as a small settlement many years before, around the year 100AD but the town began to grow somewhat after the introduction of a bridge. In 1129 the castle was first constructed but this was later destroyed and rebuilt.
By 1210 Athlone had become a joint seat of British administration in Ireland alongside Dublin and its split nature continued with its position on two sides of the River Shannon, its location in two Irish provinces and its situation in two Irish counties. Today there are three bridges that cross the River Shannon in Athlone: the town bridge which was built in 1844, the railway bridge which was erected seven years later and the Shannon Way which was put up much more recently in 1991.
Located at the heart of Ireland, Athlone is a stone’s throw to the south of Lough Ree while the River Shannon flows through the town centre. This not only ensures good views and idyllic surroundings are present, it also means water sports, boat trips and other such activities are readily available in the area around the town.
Athlone is one of Ireland’s 21 walled towns and its 1210-built castle remains standing to this day but continues as a tourist attraction where it once acted as a protective barrier. Other places to visit or explore include Burgess Park in the town centre, the Clonmacnoise Monastic site and the Golden Island Shopping Centre. Further, it is also worth noting that Europe’s oldest pub is found in Athlone; it goes by the name Sean’s Bar and dates to 900AD.
Athlone has historically provided a strategic crossing point over the River Shannon and its first bridges were built over the river in 1120. It had been developed as a small settlement many years before, around the year 100AD but the town began to grow somewhat after the introduction of a bridge. In 1129 the castle was first constructed but this was later destroyed and rebuilt.
By 1210 Athlone had become a joint seat of British administration in Ireland alongside Dublin and its split nature continued with its position on two sides of the River Shannon, its location in two Irish provinces and its situation in two Irish counties. Today there are three bridges that cross the River Shannon in Athlone: the town bridge which was built in 1844, the railway bridge which was erected seven years later and the Shannon Way which was put up much more recently in 1991.