On Castle Street just south of Barrack Street, on the right when traveling south.
[Stone marker reads]
'San áit seo do rugadh
T. P. Óconchudhair,
scríoneoir 7 M.P.
1848 1930
Birthplace of
T. P. O'Connor,
Journalist and M.P. — — Map (db m270144) HM
On Connaught Gardens 0.1 kilometers east of Connaught Street, on the right when traveling east.
㉘ Corpus Christi Church
Formerly St. Peter's Church of Ireland, it was built in 1840 to the
design of Joseph Welland (1795-1860). He was an architect to the Board of First Fruits and subsequently to the Ecclesiastical . . . — — Map (db m270463) HM
Athlone Castle was first fitted out as an artillery platform shortly after 1800. At that time it
mounted eleven 6-pounder guns, although heavier cannon were subsequently installed. The cannon on display is an 18th-century 24-pounder. The royal . . . — — Map (db m270442) HM
On Castle Street just south of Barracks Street, on the left when traveling south.
This castle was built on a motte in 1210 by John de Grey
originally consisting of a central donjon it was altered
and enlarged many times. The castle was badly damaged
in the bombardment of 1691 during the Williamite War.
On the 28th Feb. . . . — — Map (db m270149) HM WM
On South Station Road, on the right when traveling north.
This plaque was unveiled by the
Minister for Public Enterprise
Mary O'Rourke TD on 24 May 2002
to commemorate the opening of the
new bus station at Athlone
———————————
The Athlone Bus Station project was completed in
January 2002. . . . — — Map (db m270273) HM
Athlone Castle was initially an Anglo-Norman motte, or fortified artificial mound. The site was taken over by the crown, and in 1210 a free-standing polygonal stone tower was built on it. Later in the thirteenth century curtain walls and drum . . . — — Map (db m270445) HM
On Castle Street at Custume Place, on the right when traveling west on Castle Street.
⑰ Athlone Castle
Athlone castle is the oldest surviving building in the town. The earliest 'castle' of Athlone was a wooden structure erected by Toirrdelbach Ua Conchobair in 1129. The stone castle dates from 1210 and was built by . . . — — Map (db m270151) HM
On South Station Road, on the left when traveling east.
This plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Mary O'Rourke T.D.
Minister for Public Enterprise on 23rd July 2001
to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening
of the railway bridge over the River Shannon at Athlone
on . . . — — Map (db m270348) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m270385) HM
Take a boat trip from Athlone along the River Shannon to Clonmacnoise,
a medieval monastic site founded by St. Ciarán in mid sixth century
on the east bank of the river. — — Map (db m270380) HM
On Church Street close to Dublin Gate Street (Leinster Route 446), on the right when traveling north.
Near this place lie the remains of
Colonel Richard Grace,
who held the Castle for James II in 1690,
and was killed in battle on the Jacobite side
in
The Siege of Athlone, 1691 on June 20. — — Map (db m270250) HM WM
On Connaught Street just west of Harry's Lane, on the left when traveling west.
Once a bustling and colourful street lined with prosperous businesses,
we remember Connaught Street the way it was
Connaught [S]treet was once the busiest shopping street on Athlone's west side. The street was flanked by family businesses . . . — — Map (db m270072) HM
On Connaught Street just east of Connaught Gardens, on the right when traveling east.
THE FUTURE OF CONNAUGHT STREET & ENVIRONS
Connaught Street and Environs Residents and Traders Group
In March 2023 the Connaught Street and Environs Residents and Traders group was formed. The
community group's main aim . . . — — Map (db m270484) HM
On Elliott Road (Leinster Route 446) 0.2 kilometers north of Barrack Street, on the right when traveling north.
㊱ Custume Barracks
The Barracks, which is the oldest occupied Barracks in Europe, was named Custume Barracks by General Seán MacEoin following its take-over from the British Forces in 1922. Sergeant Custume, who served . . . — — Map (db m270330) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m270386) HM
On Connaught Street at Harry's Lane, on the left when traveling east on Connaught Street.
Desmond Egan was born in this house in 1936. He was the son of Tom and Kathleen
Egan and was educated locally, and later at St. Finian's College, Mullingar where he
received a Classical education learning both Latin and Greek. Having studied . . . — — Map (db m269955) HM
On Friary Lane just north of The Strand, on the right when traveling north.
BEGINNINGS
The Franciscans first came to Athlone c.1235 as the Normans gathered for the final onslaught on Connaught. The Burkes, O'Fallons and Dillons funded a church in honour of St. Mary's Assumption, . . . — — Map (db m270253) HM
On High Street at Main Street, on the left when traveling west on High Street.
Built about 1620, this entire three story building was formerly known as "The Mansion House'.
Its location provided perfect surveillance over the River Shannon, the Old Town Bridge and the main 'Connaught Market Street'. The building was . . . — — Map (db m270119) HM
THE GREAT SIEGE OF ATHLONE 1691
In 1691 the 20,000-strong Williamite army besieged Athlone. Seizing the east town, they were confronted by a broken bridge and determined Jacobite defenders across the river in the castle and on the west . . . — — Map (db m270383) HM
On Connaught Street at College Lane, on the left when traveling west on Connaught Street.
Hanna Greally, Author: was born in Athlone in 1925. She grew u[p] in Pearse Street and was a popular and happy young girl. At nineteen she was admitted to St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar. She remained there until she negotiated her own release . . . — — Map (db m270087) HM
This Historical Garden is a collection of plants often found in castle gardens in Medieval times.
Those gardens were planted with a large array of herbs, flowers and fruit trees and bushes, all of which could be added to food.
Some had . . . — — Map (db m270431) HM
The Hidden Heartlands are the last bastion of a mythic, undiscovered Ireland in which nature reigns supreme - a potent place that still has the power to inspire and rejuvenate. Beyond Ireland's famous coastline lies a vibrant core of peaceful . . . — — Map (db m270176) HM
On Custume Place at Northgate Street, on the left when traveling west on Custume Place.
In Commemoration
To those members of the
Irish Republican Army
Athlone Brigade,
1916 • 1921
who gave their lives
in action against
British Crown Forces.
Killed In Action:
Sean Costelloe I·V · James Tormey . . . — — Map (db m270201) WM
On Connaught Street just east of Connaught Gardens, on the right when traveling east.
John Broderick (1927-1989) was an Irish novelist who emerged as one of the significant voices of
20th-century Irish literature. Born in Athlone, Broderick's writings drew deeply from the
socio-religious conflicts of his native land, and they . . . — — Map (db m270486) HM
On Elliott Road (Leinster Route 446) 0.2 kilometers Barrack Street, on the right when traveling north.
D.O.M.
This monument has been erected by the People of Athlone
to the memory of their young townsman,
John Joseph Walsh, Solicitor.
1876 - 1903
———————————
Cut off in the opening of a most promising career,
he has left to the . . . — — Map (db m270376) HM
On High Street just west of Main Street, on the left when traveling west.
Sean's Bar was formally known as "The Three Blackamoor Heads" and undoubtedly the most famous proprietor of the pub was Mark Begg who held the Inn in 1736. Mr Begg inaugurated the first stage coach service from Athlone to Dublin. . . . — — Map (db m270113) HM
On Connaught Street at College Lane, on the left when traveling west on Connaught Street.
Michael Kilkelly was Organist and Choirmaster in St. Peter's Church, Athlone and taught the young John McCormack from the age of 8. He recognised John McCormack s talent early on and assisted him in progressing his career.
Count John McCormack . . . — — Map (db m270091) HM
On Connaught Street at Connaught Gardens, on the left when traveling east on Connaught Street.
Denis J Hannon was born in 59 Connaught Street in January 1888, the fourth child of William and
Kate Hannon. He had three brothers, Michael, John, Thomas J, Fr Paddy and two sisters May and
Lily. He was educated at Summerhill College, Sligo at . . . — — Map (db m270290) HM
On Main Street at Castle Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
Ireland's Oldest Pub
Listed in Guinness Book of Records
Luain's Inn c.900 A.D.
[On ground floor store front]
————————————
This pub has been granted the
James Joyce Pub Award
for being an authentic Irish pub
'A good puzzle . . . — — Map (db m270125) HM
On Connaught Street at Connaught Gardens, on the left when traveling east on Connaught Street.
Visitors to The Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone Co Westmeath sometimes ask where it got its name. One
theory is that an early owner of the lodge was a member of the Freemasons whose Athlone branch was known as Shamrock Lodge 101. While others . . . — — Map (db m270298) HM
The President's House was a residential building erected in the castle in 1547. Subsequently it became the residence of the presidents of Connacht, a succession of prominent officials who governed the west of Ireland from Athlone between 1569 . . . — — Map (db m270435) HM
On Castle Street just south of Barrack Street, on the right when traveling south.
We remember all those from this area who on the
15th April 1912 perished on the Titanic
The Rice family who resided at this exact address:
Margaret Rice age 39, her children: Albert age 10, George age 8
Eric age 6, Arthur age 5 and Eugene . . . — — Map (db m270410) HM
On Barrack Street at Custume Place, on the right when traveling east on Barrack Street.
"The Midlands" The Heart Of Ireland - ATHLONE owes its existence to its location as the principal crossing point on the Shannon. The town links the east of Ireland to the west, and the river provides an artery of communication. In early times, . . . — — Map (db m270452) HM
On Dublin Gate Street (Leinster Route 446) close to Church Street, on the right when traveling west.
Inside this tower was interred
30th September 1769,
the wife of Dean Goldsmith, cousin of
Oliver Goldsmith, poet, essayist and playwright
—————————————————
Laistign den túr seo
30 Meán Fómhair 1769,
chireadh bean an Dean . . . — — Map (db m270251) HM
