Athlone is a town in central Ireland which is known for its beautiful heritage buildings and historic architecture. This town is located on River Shannon, which means that it has some beautiful water views. Among the most famous tourist spots in this destination are Athlone Castle, which is basically a river fortress – so you get the view of the River Shannon and you also get to look at the vast history that is on display. Think of Athlone as a beautiful country town where you can go to escape, rejuvenate and relax! To make your relaxing vacation even more relaxing and stress-free, here is a detailed list of things to do in Athlone.
1. Learn about the area's history at Athlone Castle
Posted by Athlone Arts and Tourism on Thursday, 27 December 2018
Athlone Castle is an ancient castle located in Athlone which dates back to the 12th century. This is a riverside castle, so you can enjoy a beautiful view of River Shannon from this popular tourist attraction. Here, you will learn about the Neolithic period, the reign of the Vikings and even the Medieval ages. You’ll learn about the battles fought, the battles won and lost, the stories of soldiers, kings and monks and see some interesting artifacts and exhibitions. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures in this 5000-year (actually more) old castle.
Athlone Castle
Address: Castle St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A6D7, Ireland
Website: Athlone Castle
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm; Sun: 11am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 11 USD
2. Explore the historical ruins of Clonmacnoise and visit the Clonmacnoise graveyard
Clonmacnoise basically means the Meadow of the Sons of Nós and was founded in AD 544! It is an ancient and very famous monastic site in Ireland, where famous books like the 11th-century Annals of Tighernach as well as the 12th-century Book of the Dun Cow were written. Various scholars and monks from around the world used to visit this prestigious site. Now, Clonmacnoise is a preserved site where you will get to see crosses, cathedrals, towers and preserved churches. Be sure to visit the Clonmacnoise Cathedral as well as Temple Hurpan to really see some beautiful architecture and intricate workmanship. You should also visit Clonmacnoise graveyard which is near the site and still in use!
Clonmacnoise
Address: Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co. Offaly, Ireland
Website: Clonmacnoise
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price:10 USD
3. Enjoy a scenic picnic followed by kayaking on Lough Ree Lake
Lough Ree is a huge lake in Ireland and it is actually one of the three main lakes on River Shannon. Think of this as a lake for everyone; you can go for a picnic here with the family, go swimming in the lake, enjoy kayaking with your friends, explore the flora and fauna around the lake with your loved ones or just take in the natural landscape by yourself. There are various accommodations in Athlone which are on the Lough Ree Lake, so if you get a chance then you should definitely book one of those houses to stay in during your vacation.
Lough Ree Lake
Address: Lough Ree, Ireland
4. Enjoy stand-up comedy shows at Dean Crowe Theatre
Posted by Dean Crowe Theatre on Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Dean Crowe Theatre is a famous theatre which should definitely be on your list of things to do in Athlone! This theatre has different shows every night, from stand up comedy shows to musicals, from Irish comedies to hilarious family-friendly plays and more. To know about the upcoming events and shows, do check out the website. Opened in 1937, this theatre has been popular among the locals of Ireland for a very long time. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a night filled with laughter at this theatre!
Dean Crowe Theatre
Address: Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29
Website: Dean Crowe Theatre
Opening hours: Depends on event
Price: Depends on event
5. Admire the bold architecture at St. Peter & Paul's Church Athlone
Posted by Ss. Peter & Paul's Parish Athlone on Thursday, 2 May 2019
St. Peter & Paul’s Church Athlone is a Roman Catholic church which was constructed somewhere around 1932. Located on the banks of River Shannon, this church has a beautiful view. Speaking of beauty, the interiors and stained glass windows of this church are jaw-dropping, which is why visiting the church has to be on your list of things to do in Athlone! The architecture of this church is beautiful, so rich and elegant. It is definitely worth the visit.
St. Peter & Paul's Church Athlone
Address: Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone
Website: St. Peter & Paul’s Church Athlone
6. Walk along the Shannon Banks Nature Trail
Shannon Banks Nature Trail starts behind Athlone Castle and it is along the banks of River Shannon, as the name suggests, as well as the old Athlone Canal. This walking trail is around 5 kilometers (3 miles) long, so be sure to wear your walking shoes and carry a water bottle. During your hike, you will see various boards and signs which will give you information on the flora, fauna, fish and wildlife that you will see around you. You even get a chance to feed the duck and geese, admire the beautiful swans and hopefully watch the sunset over the river!
Shannon Banks Nature Trail
Address: Athlone Castle, Westmeath
Website: Shannon Banks Nature Trail
7. Browse through the works of renowned local artists in Luan Gallery
Luan Gallery is a publically owned art gallery which was opened in Athlone in 2012. However, the temperance half of the building is actually a former library which was built in 1897! With various artwork, paintings, sculptures and more, this naturally lit art gallery is really worth the visit. You also get to enjoy the view of River Shannon from here. The exhibitions at this venue are constantly changing, so you can actually go as many times as you like.
Luan Gallery
Address: Elliot Rd, Loughanaskin, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Luan Gallery
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
8. Go biking on the Old Rail Trail
Old Rail Trail is basically a 42-kilometer (26-mile) greenway which goes from Mullingar to Athlone. Most tourists prefer to hire a bicycle and cycle along the Old Rail Trail, but you can even walk along the trail or jog on it if you so wish. The good thing about this trail is that there are various entry and exit points, so you can bike, walk or jog as much as you like or stop as soon as you like. There is no motorized traffic here, so you can easily walk on this trail at your own pace while admiring the Irish countryside.
Old Rail Trail
Address: Garrycastle, Athlone
Website: Old Rail Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Pay a visit to the 1000-year-old bar, Sean’s Bar
Sean’s Bar is the oldest pub in the world. In the world! How can that not be on your list of things to do in Athlone? This pub dates back to AD 900 and it even has a 1000-year-old watering hole. With a riverside garden, with low ceilings, a typical old-school pub vibe and pictures which tell their own history, this pub is truly one of a kind. You’ll see musicians playing live music in one corner, the view of the River Shannon and a vibe that you’ve never felt before.
Sean’s Bar
Address: 13 Main St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Sean’s Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 12:30am; Sun: 12:30pm - 11:30pm
Price:11 - 30 USD
10. Enjoy a round of golf at the Athlone Golf Club
Posted by Athlone Golf Club on Saturday, 3 September 2016
Founded in 1892, Athlone Golf Club is one of the most popular golf courses in all of Athlone. If you are an avid golfer, or your idea of a vacation means playing a few rounds of golf, then visiting Athlone Golf Club should be on your list of things to do in Athlone. To add to the beautiful greens and the parkland course, this golf course is surrounded by Lake Lough Ree on three sides – talk about playing golf when you’re surrounded by nature! It is a beautiful golf course, to say the least.
Athlone Golf Club
Address: Athlone, Hodson Bay, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Website: Athlone Golf Club
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 37 USD
11. Sail on Lake Lough Ree with Viking Tours Ireland cruise
Posted by Viking Ship Athlone on Thursday, 6 June 2019
The Viking Ship is what you have to board to feel like a Viking in the heart of Ireland. The ship sails from Athlone castle along Lake Lough Ree, going upstream to Hodson Bay and then returns within 75 minutes. You can also opt for the Whiskey Viking Tour cruise which is basically a 75-minute cruise on a Viking ship along with four whiskey samples – drinking on the ship, the real Viking way to sail! While you’re on these Viking cruise ships, you’ll get to learn about Viking history as well as about the history of the Viking ship.
Viking Tours Ireland
Address: The Quay, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Viking Tours Ireland
Opening hours: Depends on cruise
Price: 17 USD
12. Immerse yourself in midlands history at Drum Heritage Centre
Drum Heritage Centre is basically a historical museum which has possibly the largest collection of historic documents and informative documents about Drum. Walking into this museum will give you the feeling of walking into ancient Ireland – walk along a 300-meter (984-foot) walkway which leads to the Portal Tomb which was made in 3500 BC. You’ll see transcripts from famous people like Sean O’Neachtain and Tadgh O Neachtain. This place isn’t very commercial, nor is it popular among the tourists, but if you have any interest in monastic sites then you should definitely visit. For more information about the history of the documents and the various attractions at this museum, visit their website.
Drum Heritage Centre
Address: Curryroe Drum, Athlone, Ireland
Website: Drum Heritage Centre
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 2:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free entry
13. Check out some emus and llamas at Glendeer Pet Farm
Posted by Glendeer Pet Farm on Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Are you a total animal lover? Do you get super excited when you see emus and llamas on your Instagram feed? In that case, you need to head to Glendeer Pet Farm. This is basically an open farm, so you can roam about, go for walks on nature trails, pet some emus, llamas, ponies, sheep and even puppies! You can also chill in the indoor play area. If you’re traveling with kids, then visiting the Glendeer Pet Farm should be number one on your list of things to do in Athlone.
Glendeer Pet Farm
Address: Curryroe, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Website: Glendeer Pet Farm
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm
Price: 11 USD
14. Pay your respects at the Jadotville Memorial
Posted by Liam Foley on Saturday, 24 December 2011
Jadotville Memorial is a memorial that was created for the brave soldiers of the 35th Battalion. This happened during the Siege of Jadotville which was a conflict between the Irish Army and the Katangese. 157 Irishmen managed to battle 3000 attackers and killed 300 of them – and every Irish soldier lived to tell the tale. Truly an inspirational story, this memorial is worth the visit. It is simple, it is meaningful and it tells the tale of true bravery.
Jadotville Memorial
Address: Custume Barracks, Grace Road, Athlone, Ireland
15. Enjoy horseback riding at Athlone Equestrian Centre
As the name suggests, the Athlone Equestrian Centre is a facility that keeps horses and trains people to ride the horses. This center is great for adults and kids alike, so make sure you go horse riding in this beautiful countryside. Even though it is not too far from the main area of Athlone, this facility has been done up to create an authentic and quiet country vibe. You can come here for group lessons or private lessons, join a horse riding camp or just go for treks here. If you do not have the required equipment, you can borrow it from this center or buy it from the tack shop that is close by.
Athlone Equestrian Centre
Address: Moydrum Rd, Moydrum, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Athlone Equestrian Centre
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: depends on the booking (closed on Mon)
Price: Starting at 31 USD
16. Have lots of fun at EXIT Athlone - Escape Room
Who doesn’t love a good escape room? For those of you who might not know, an escape room is basically a sort of game where you are locked in a room for an hour and you have to solve puzzles and use clues to escape the room. An escape room is a great way to spend a day with your family, together, solving puzzles and working as a team! EXIT Athlone - Escape Room has three escape rooms for you to try, all of which have a unique theme. There is also a red room where you can go solve a murder mystery - sounds interesting right?
EXIT Athlone - Escape Room
Address: 35 Church St, Loughanaskin, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: EXIT Athlone - Escape Room
Opening hours: 10am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 18 - 31 USD
17. Take a gardening class at the Fernhill Garden Centre
Fernhill Garden Centre is where you go when you’re looking to buy new plants for your house, if you want to get your new place landscaped or you need to buy garden furniture. If you totally love flowers, then you must go have a look at the beautiful flowers at this garden center. In fact, if you have come to Athlone by car or train, then you might even be able to take some saplings back with you! Established in 1978, the Fernhill Garden Centre is really popular among the locals of Athlone. This center also has classes like gardening classes, so do check the website to see the upcoming schedule and classes. And, this place also has its very own restaurant which serves some delicious food!
Fernhill Garden Centre
Address: Ballymahon Rd, Cornanmagh, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Fernhill Garden Centre
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 10:30am - 6pm
Price: Free
18. Try some authentic Irish dishes at Thyme Restaurant
Posted by Thyme Athlone on Saturday, 3 March 2018
Thyme Restaurant is the place to head to if you want to eat some delicious and authentic Irish food! Located by the riverside, this restaurant has beautiful interiors and a stunning view. This restaurant uses fresh and local produce to create some really great Irish dishes. Since the food is based on the local produce, the menu changes seasonally. Not only do these dishes taste delicious, but they are also totally Instagrammable! Try the ham hock, the wagyu beef, the pork belly, and all the desserts!
Thyme Restaurant
Address: Custume Pl, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Thyme Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm
19. Watch a movie with your partner at IMC Cinema Athlone
Posted by IMC Cinema Athlone on Saturday, 9 February 2019
IMC Cinema Athlone is a cinema hall in Athlone. If you’re visiting Athlone for a long time, then you should definitely head to this theatre and watch one of the latest movies. Actually, if you are a total movie buff then you’re going to really enjoy visiting IMC Cinema Athlone no matter how long you’re in Athlone for. With six screens, you have the liberty to choose the movies and timings that suit you. All the facilities are top of the line and the staff is really helpful and friendly. After all, if you’re in Athlone then why not get the full Irish experience?
IMC Cinema Athlone
Address: Golden Island Shopping Centre, Golden Island, Ankers Bower, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: IMC Cinema Athlone
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2pm - end of last movie; Sat - Sun: 12pm - end of last movie
Price: Depends on the movie
20. Have some drinks at Gertie Browne's
Did you know that our quirky little pub has been a has been a tavern of some sort since as early as the 10th century?...
Posted by Gertie Browne's on Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Gertie Browne’s is a pub in Athlone which is really popular among the locals. With a really funky interior, friendly and talented bartenders, a really relaxed atmosphere and some delicious drinks, Gertie Browne’s should be on your list of things to do in Athlone! Located in the heart of the city, this pub serves some really good beer, some delicious cocktails and really tasty food too! This bar literally has a personality of its own, so don’t think twice and just enjoy a night of good fun at this pub.
Gertie Browne's
Address: 9 Custume Pl, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 E142, Ireland
Website: Gertie Browne’s
Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 12:30am; Sun: 12pm - 11pm; Mon - Thu: 4pm - 11:30pm; Fri: 3pm - 12:30am
21. Put on your dancing shoes at Karma Nightclub
Karma Nightclub is one of the best and most happening nightclubs in Athlone. If you’re done relaxing in this town and now you just want to party, head over to Karma Nightclub. The place is really beautiful, with good lighting and great vibes. Various artists and DJ’s play at this nightclub - you can see the upcoming events on their website. Other than that, the crowd here is really great, the drinks are amazing and the overall vibe is fun! What more can you ask for?
Karma Nightclub
Address: Church St, Loughanaskin, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Karma Nightclub
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 11:30pm - 2:30am (closed from Mon - Wed)
22. Treat your body, mind and soul at Mingala Day Spa
*** Mingala Madness offer Today & Tomorrow Only *** Reflexology with Foot Soak for €40. Limited Availability Thursday 19th & Friday 20th. Call us on 0906477770
Posted by Mingala Day Spa on Thursday, 19 January 2017
Mingala Day Spa is an award-winning day spa that was opened in 2014! If you want to pamper yourself and your body, then you should head to this spa. This day spa offers treatments like full body waxing, head massage, neck, shoulder and back massage, which is the signature massage at this spa. They also offer body wraps, facials, manicures and pedicures. So, what are you waiting for?
Mingala Day Spa
Address: Mingala Day Spa Apartment 122 Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Clonown Rd, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Mingala Day Spa
Opening hours: Sat, Mon & Tue: 10am - 6pm; Wed: 10am - 7pm; Thu - Fri: 10am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
23. Browse through the branded stores at Athlone Towncentre
Athlone Towncentre is one of the largest shipping malls in the area, with over 60 stores. If you want to enjoy a whole day shopping and visiting branded stores, then head to Athlone Towncentre. This is the place to go to if you want to experience high boutique shopping! To know about the sales and discounts going on during your visit, check out their website.
Athlone Towncentre
Address: Mardyke St, Loughanaskin, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Website: Athlone Towncentre
Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 6pm; Mon - Wed & Sat: 9:30am - 6pm; Thu & Fri: 9:30am - 9pm
Price: Free entry
So much to do, so much to see
Clearly, there is so much to do in Athlone and every experience is so unique and different. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Athlone for one week or one whole month, just use this list of things to do in Athlone and your vacation will be wonderful.
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