Athlone
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Athlone (Baile Átha Luain in Irish, meaning "town of the ford of Luan") lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, some 130 km west of Dublin. The west side of Athlone forms part of County Roscommon while the larger east side lies in County Westmeath. The town's population in 2004 was 15,936, slightly more than that of Mullingar. Athlone sits close to the geographical centre of Ireland. Nearby are Moate on the road to Dublin, Ballinasloe on the road to Galway, and Tang on the road to Ballymahon, County Longford.
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History
At the heart of Athlone, both geographically and historically, is the castle. The military history of the town dates back to antiquity. Its location at a ford of the Shannon, together with its important position in respect of access to the fertile plains of the midlands, made it of extreme strategic importance and therefore the scene of tribal disputes. In 1001 Brian Bóruma led his army from Kincora into the town, his fleet sailing up the river via Lough Derg to attend the gathering.
A bridge was built across the river in the 12th century, and to protect this a fort was constructed on the west bank in the town by Turloch Mor O Conor. On a number of occasions both the fort and bridge were subjected to attacks, and towards the end of the 12th century the Anglo-Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey fortification here. The ruins visible today are those of the castle built in 1210 by Justiciar John Gray.
The idea, mooted during the Elizabethan wars, of relocating the Lord Deputy of Ireland here from Dublin further illustrates the strategic importance of the town.
At the first battle of Athlone in 1690 the Jacobite forces of Colonel Richard Grace repelled an attack by 10,000 men lead by Commander Douglas. The following year the Siege of Athlone saw a further assault in which the troops of King William III eventually prevailed against the outnumbered defenders.
To the west of the town are the remains of defences built in the 19th century to help thwart a French attack.
Today, not far from the 12th-century castle ruins, Custume Barracks occupies a large area of the west bank of the Shannon.
The noted tenor John McCormack was born in here in 1884 at the Bawn.
On the east side of town, off North Gate Street, is an intact example of a Famine-era workhouse. The building, renamed St Mary's Hall, now hosts several youth groups and includes a large meeting room. Within sight of the workhouse building is a historic abbey.
Clonmacnoise, a famous monastic site with a round tower and spectacular Celtic crosses, lies on the east bank of the Shannon some 14 km south of the town (24 km by road).
Education and industry
The State Examinations Commission and the Athlone Institute of Technology are both located on the east side of town. The State Examinations Commission is responsible for the preparation and marking of the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate examinations. The Athlone Institute of Technology is a third-level institution which currently provides National Certificates, National Diplomas and degree level studies.
A new library opened with modern and state-of-the-art facilities and services in October 2004. The town's tourist office is located near the castle on the west side of town.
Athlone's major employers include many global companies, such as Ericsson, as well as successful local firms, including Elán. The town is notable for having a number of plastics (in particular polymer) based industries. These tie into the sort of courses offered at the institute of technology which offers the only polymer studies courses in the Republic of Ireland.
Amenities
Recent developments, including the Golden Island shopping centre, have made a big improvement to the range of activities available to residents. The local marina is a favoured stop for tourists on the River Shannon. The pike fishing is excellent along this stretch of the river. Visitors can also enjoy vistas of the Castle and of St Peter and Paul's church on the west bank of the Shannon.SmallStPetersAthlone.jpg
See also
External links
- Athlone.ie (http://www.athlone.ie) - Information for both tourists and locals.
- AIT.ie (http://www.ait.ie) - Athlone Institute of Technologyde:Athlone