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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, Ireland. Athlone sits close to the geographical centre of Ireland, on the borders of two counties and provinces. Although the west side of Athlone is in Connaught, for administrative purposes the border of County Westmeath extends to the town boundary. South and east of Athlone on the Leinster side lies the Bog of Allen.
The town's urban population in 2002 was 7,254, but within a radius of five miles (across the County Roscommon/County Westmeath border), the town serves a population of 23,670 *. Nearby are the towns of Moate (on the road to Dublin), Ballinasloe (on the road to Galway), and Tang on the road to (Ballymahon, County Longford).
History
At the heart of Athlone, both geographically and historically, is the castle. The military history of the town dates back to antiquity. The ford of Athlone is strategically important, as south of Athlone the Shannon is impassable until Clonmacnoise (where the Esker Riada meets the Shannon), and north is Lough Ree. 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, approximately 100 metres south of the current bridge, which explains why "Bridge Street" is the street south of the Castle. 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. This was superceeded by a stone structure built in 1210 by Justiciar John Gray. The 12-sided donjon dates from this time. The rest of the castle was largely destroyed during the Siege of Athlone and subsequently rebuilt and enlarged upon.
The current battlements and cannon emplacements were installed to prevent a French fleet from sailing up the Shannon and establishing a bridgehead in Lough Ree (likewise south of Athlone at Shannonbridge, near Clonmacnoise). The castle was later damaged by a lightning strike on the powder store. The castle was also home to a small garrison, and provided housing for several families until the 1980s. These quarters now house part of the castle museum.
The two mortars situated in front of the donjon are believed to date to the Willimiate wars, and were previously located outside the main entrance of Custume Barracks.
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.
During the wars that wracked Ireland in the seventeenth century, Athlone held a vital position, holding the main bridge over the River Shannon into Connacht. In the Irish Confederate Wars 1641-1653, the town was held by Irish Confederate troops until it was taken late in 1650 by Charles Cooote, who attacked the town from the west, having crossed into Connacht at Sligo.
Forty years later, during the Williamite war in Ireland, the town was again of central strategic importance, being one of the Jacobite strongholds on the defending their position after they had retreated west after the battle of the Boyne. 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.
The current bridge was built in the 19th century to replace the old bridge which was becoming dangerous to the increasing volume of traffic. Originally the bridge had a moveable section which was decomissioned in the early 20th century. This is the reason for the large footings and metal railings on the Connaught side. Custume Barracks occupies a large area of the west bank of the Shannon. Named after a Sergeant Custume, who gained everlasting glory during the 1691 Siege when he led a dozen volunteers out under the Dutch guns to tear down the wooden bridge (of which 2 survived), the Barracks is today the headquarters of the Western Command of the Irish Defence Forces. The original entrance to the barracks was where the current Garda station is today.
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). Clonmacnoise itself was an important ford since antiquity. The Normans built a castle there to defend a bridge.
During the 19th century, the Board of Works built a weir wall south of Athlone to improve the navigation of the river. During the summer foolhardy young men attempt to walk across the wall from Connaught to Leinster. The river at this location has a very strong current and many people have drowned attempting to swim the Shannon here.
Other fortifications include the ruins of a battery just to the north of Athlone (in an area now a nature reserve) and a large artificial hill called "The Batteries" upon which council housing has been built. On the Leinster side of the town, remains of defences built in the 19th century to help thwart a French attack still exist, particularly around the offices of the Town council. The Connaught side was defended by a fosse which no longer exists.
Climate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily maximum temperature (°C) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 15.75 | |
| Average daily minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.75 | |
| Mean total rainfall (mm) | 80 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 80 | 70 | 80 | 70 | 80 | 800 | |
| Source: Yahoo! Weather | ||||||||||||||
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 in 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
The Golden Island shopping centre, and the currently being built Athlone Town Centre Development (yet to be finished) have added and will add further to the range of activities available in the town, and attract many people from surrounding areas for shopping and dining. When the latest development is finished, Athlone will become the main shopping town in the midlands. 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. Lough Ree, the largest lake on the Shannon is a short distance upstream from Athlone to the North of town, and is popular among anglers, bird watchers, and swimmers, as well as being home to Lough Ree Yacht Club. A number of islands dot the lake making for some interesting exploration. The lake shore is easily accessed from Coosan Point, and Hodson Bay.
Sports in Athlone
- Athlone Town Association Football Club *
- Buccaneers Rugby Club *
- Athlone GAA Club *
- Garrycastle GAA Club *
- Athlone Boat Club
- Lough Ree Yacht Club *
- Athlone Basketball Club *
- Athlone Cricket Club *
- Athlone Regional Sports Centre *
See also
Other relevant links
- Athlone.ie - Information for both tourists and locals.
- AIT.ie - Athlone Institute of Technology.
- * - Athlone Chamber of Commerce.
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