Tourist attractions 
Restaurants, irish pubs 
Where to sleep 
Campings
4.11/5 (19 votes)
(0 votes)Find a comfortable place to stay and make the most of your trip to Ireland.
Athlone (Baile Átha Luain in Irish) is a charming small town in County Westmeath. Built on the River Shannon, the town lives to the rhythm of fishing, boating, and Irish music, joyfully sung by local musicians who play throughout the streets and in the pubs. The colorful houses and signs, as well as Athlone Castle, make it a very pleasant place to stroll. Calm and tranquility are guaranteed!
Athlone is primarily a medieval town, marked by the history of great kings such as Brian Boru, one of the most illustrious kings of Ireland. He captured Athlone in 1001 after invading the town via the River Shannon. The king then resided for some time in the town’s great castle (Athlone Castle).
In the 12th century, Turloch Mor O’Conor, another king of Ireland, built a fortress on the west bank of the Shannon to better watch over Athlone and repel possible attacks. This choice proved particularly wise: many enemies attacked the fortress over several years but never succeeded.
In the 13th century, the Anglo-Normans erected a motte-and-bailey castle in the town center of Athlone. However, this construction was destroyed a few years later.
The Athlone Castle as we know it today was built shortly after on the bank of the Shannon. Although the construction suffered some damage following an attack by the French fleet in the 13th century, the castle remains in fairly good condition today.
