Athlone and Bigmeadow in County Westmeath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
Custume Barracks/Church of Saints Peter and Paul/Railway Bridge/Luan Gallery
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
1. Custume Barracks Marker
CUSTUME BARRACKS
The original army barracks, built circa 1700, is still in active use. General Sean MacEoin took it over from the departing British army in 1922, renaming it Custume Barracks in honour of Sergeant Custume, hero of the defence of Athlone in the great siege of 1691.
CHURCH OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
Designed by Ralph Byrne and opened in 1937, this imposing classical parish church has a splendid interior, with stained-glass windows from the studio of Harry Clarke and Italianate art and decoration.
RAILWAY BRIDGE
This white, 165-metre long iron structure, designed on the bowstring and lattice principle by GW Hemans, has carried trains across the Shannon from Dublin to Galway and Mayo since 1851.
LUAN GALLERY
Built in 1897 as a Father Mathew Temperance Hall to promote sobriety, it hosted several concerts by the great Athlone-born tenor John Count McCormack at the outset of his career. The building now houses Luan Gallery, the midland region's first municipal visual-art gallery, which showcases exhibitions of contemporary art.
Erected by Fαilte Ireland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars
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Location. 53° 25.404′ N, 7° 56.554′ 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: Athlone Woollen Mills/Town Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Great Siege of Athlone 1691 / Remains of the Elizabethan Bridge / River Shannon and Navigation (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 (a few steps from this marker); Athlone Castle (a few steps from this marker); 24-Pounder Gun (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.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
2. Church of Saints Peter and Paul Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
3. Railway Bridge Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
4. Luan Gallery Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
5. Custume Barracks/Church of Saints Peter and Paul/Railway Bridge/Luan Gallery Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
6. Custume Barracks / Church of Saints Peter and Paul / Railway Bridge / Luan Gallery Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
7. Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 5, 2025
8. Railway Bridge
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 119 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 15, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
