Athlone and Bigmeadow in County Westmeath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)

Athlone Woollen Mills/Town Bridge

Athlone Woollen Mills Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025

1. Athlone Woollen Mills Marker

Inscription.
ATHLONE WOOLLEN MILLS
Athlone Woollen Mills, opened in 1857 and developed into a major tweed-making industry, employing 400 workers. It was destroyed in an accidental fire in 1940. The Radisson Hotel now occupies the site.

TOWN BRIDGE
Designed by Thomas Rhodes for the Shannon Commissioners as part of navigation improvements on the river, the bridge opened in 1844. Built of limestone ashlar, its western end originally had an opening cast-iron arch, but this was replaced by the present concrete fixed span in the 1960s.

Erected by Fáilte Ireland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 53° 25.405′ N, 7° 56.552′ W. Marker is in Athlone, Leinster, in County Westmeath. It is in Athlone and Bigmeadow. It can be reached from The Quay. Marker is on the Athlone Castle northeast upper battlement overlooking the River Shannon Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athlone, Leinster N37 A6D7, Ireland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hidden Heartlands. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in the European Union,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Custume Barracks/Church of Saints Peter and Paul/Railway Bridge/Luan Gallery (here, next to this marker); The Great Siege of Athlone 1691 / Remains of the Elizabethan Bridge / River Shannon and Navigation

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(here, next to this marker); Clonmacnoise (here, next to this marker); Historical Garden at Athlone Castle (here, next to this marker); Ireland's Hidden HEARTLANDS (here, next to this marker); 24-Pounder Gun (a few steps from this marker); Athlone Castle (a few steps from this marker); Site of the President's House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athlone.

More about this marker. Marker is heavily weathered; photos are enhanced.

Town Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025

2. Town Bridge Marker

Athlone Woollen Mills/Town Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025

3. Athlone Woollen Mills/Town Bridge Marker

Town Bridge in background

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025

4. Athlone Woollen Mills / Town Bridge Marker

Second marker from left

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025

5. Town Bridge

Radisson Hotel (yellow and salmon colored) in background, where Athlone Woollen Mills once stood

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.