Athlone Castle

About

Athlone Castle was built for King John by his Irish Justiciar, Bishop John de Gray of Norwich, in 1210 to defend the crossing point of the river at Athlone. Originally a free-standing tower, over the centuries the fortifications were extended and modified to suit the needs of the age, culminating with Napoleonic-era adaptations to make it suited for artillery. The keep has been transformed into a modern visitors center, where interactive activities, audiovisual displays, and historic artefacts detail the history of both the castle and the town. A 360º cinematic experience immerses visitors in the 1691 Siege of Athlone, while period-dressed figures outline the castle’s milestones. There’s even an exhibit dedicated to John McCormack, the world-renowned tenor who was born in Athlone. If you need a pick-me-up after, Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Europe is located nearby. For more information, please visit www.athlonecastle.ie