Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Athlone (from the Irish: Baile Átha Luain meaning "town of the Ford of the Moon") lies on the River Shannon close to the geographic centre of Ireland in County Westmeath.

This bustling, youthful centre town of Ireland has much of historical interest - and, although other towns along the mighty Shannon will no doubt be keen to mount a challenge, Athlone is presently the culinary capital of the inland waterways, with a cluster of good eating places in the town itself and surrounding area.

At the heart of Athlone, both geographically and historically, is the castle. The ford of Athlone was strategically important, as south of Athlone the Shannon is impassable until Clonmacnoise (where the Esker Riada meets the Shannon), and north is Lough Ree.

The town is a popular retail area with quite a selection of shops and a shopping centre. The area is also popular with people stopping by on river cruise boats, swimmers, anglers, bird watchers and sailors. Other popular attractions for visitors are the award winning Glendeer Open Farm and the Viking Cruise of the Shannon. The town's tourist office is located at Athlone Castle, in the town centre.

Gardens

Castlecoote House  - County Roscommon
Castlecoote House & Gardens
Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon
This fine Georgian residence overlooking the beautiful River Suck was built within the enclosure of a medieval castle between 1690 and 1720, and is of historic interest - not least as the birthplace of the Gunning sisters, who became the Duchess ...

Golf

Mount Temple Golf Club - Moate County Westmeath Ireland
Mount Temple Golf Club
Moate, Co. Westmeath
Course Type: Parkland
Mount Temple is a traditional Irish Championship parkland golf course. It lies in the heart of Ireland and is renowned for its large links type greens and undulating fairways. Sitting on an esker based site gives the course the advantage of be ...

Self Catering

There is no featured selfcatering establishment in the area

What's On

Athlone Farmers Market - County Westmeath - Saturdays
Athlone Farmers Market

Market Square, Athlone, County Westmeath

Saturday (10am - 3pm)

The produce on sale includes:- organic vegetables, smoked fish, local honey ...

Tourist Attractions

Clonmacnoise - Shannonbridge County Offaly Ireland
Clonmacnoise
Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly
Clonmacnoise is an Early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and ...

Wedding Venues

Wedding
The Old Fort
Shannonbridge, Co. Roscommon
In a very pleasant site right at the bridge beside the mighty River Shannon, this restaurant is in a lovingly-restored 19th century fort, and has oodles of character - the old stone walls are several feet thick in places. Churches in the locality ...
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