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Town in counties Roscommon and Westmeath, Ireland
Photo: Sgbrito at Portuguese Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Athlone is a town in County Westmeath, almost dead-centre of Ireland and bisected by the River Shannon. The promenade on the River Shannon is popular among anglers, birdwatchers and swimmers. The lakeshore is accessed from Coosan Point and Hodson Bay. The town is also home to Lough Ree Yacht Club.
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This was built for England's King John in 1210, replacing a wooden fort, and extended circa 1276. It was probably built with a moat. Its heaviest engagements were the two 17th-century sieges of Athlone. In 1690 Athlone city and castle were held by the Jacobites, who destroyed the Shannon bridge to thwart the advance of the Williamites. Fresh from victory at the Battle of the Boyne, the Williamites bombarded the city for a week but retreated when Jacobite reinforcements approached. They attacked again in 1691, attempting to storm the river crossing, and bombarding the Jacobites on the west bank for ten days. Then, with the river running unusually low, the Williamites found another fording point downstream, got across and captured the castle. Two weeks later, advancing west, they met the main Jacobite army at Aughrim, crushed them, and thereby annihilated Jacobite resistance in Ireland. The smashed-up castle was rebuilt during the Napoleonic wars but never put to the test, so much of what you see now is from the early 19th century. The tourist information centre is also here.
This twin towered Roman Catholic church was built in the 1930s to replace an older, smaller church on the site. It has impressive stained glass windows by the Harry Clarke workshop. It's simply the parish church but is emblematic of the city of Athlone.
Low-rise gallery with modern wing joining a 19th-century former library. They show contemporary work.
Chic modern bistro with wide menu selection.
Thai cuisine, gets mostly great reviews, in a turmeric-hued building. They have another branch in Maynooth.
Reliable Italian restaurant. They have another branch in Lucan.
Lebanese food: meze, shwarma and the usual favourites.
Steaks, seafood and tapas.
Restaurant east side of the river bridge, gets great reviews for modern Irish cuisine.
Good dining in town centre.
Lively, friendly bar next to the castle. It's alleged to be the oldest pub in Ireland, and possibly in the solar system. Around 900 AD Luain Mac Luighdeach guided people across the Shannon ford - and in spate you might be stuck for many days before it was safe to cross, so he had a pub with lodgings. Wattle-and-daub walls and old coins confirmed the dating. The runner up is Dublin's "Brazen Head" from 1198.
Scenic spot for drinks and a meal at the meeting of Lough Ree with the "inner lakes".
Decent budget place, dog-friendly.
Small friendly B&B, very clean.
Simple but clean and roomy B&B and self-catering apartments.
Charming, small B&B a block west of the castle.
Slick, comfy hotel in the centre of Athlone.
Well-run mid-range hotel in town centre, now part of Marriott chain. Has fitness centre and spa.
Clean modern place handy for motorists by M6 junction 13. With fitness centre and pool.
Good central chain hotel on east riverbank, with conference facilities and fitness centre.
Eco B&B, charmingly sustainable.
Welcoming B&B at east edge of town.
Most visitors come for its Cornloft Restaurant, but it has comfy en suite rooms, handy for motorists.
Upscale lodge by an inlet east shore of the lake. Great comfort, service and views.
4-star hotel on west shore of Lough Ree, handy for lake activities.
By train
Trains from Dublin Heuston run hourly and take 1 hr 20 min to Athlone via Portarlington, Tullamore and Clara.
By bus
City Link competes on the route from the airport.
By road
From Dublin follow N4 / M4, which becomes M6 at Kinnegad, and takes 90 min to Athlone. It continues west to Galway, another hour.
The centre of Athlone is small enough to get around on foot. There are taxi ranks at the train station and on Church St.
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