Athlone Castle Visitor Centre

About the museum

Athlone has been a crossing point on the River Shannon for centuries. A bridge and a timber castle are recorded here in 1129, and in 1210 a stone castle was begun on the site of an earlier Norman mound, on the orders of Bishop John de Gray, an adviser to King John. The first stone building collapsed about a year later.

From 1569 to 1672 the castle was the seat of the Presidency of Connacht. In 1691 it was at the centre of the Great Siege of Athlone during the Williamite wars, when bombardment destroyed the Connaught Tower. Afterwards the castle became part of a military barracks and served as a garrison stronghold for almost three hundred years.

The Old Athlone Society opened a small museum in the castle in 1967. When the army left in 1969, the keep passed to the Office of Public Works and became a national monument. The present visitor centre opened in February 2012 and presents the siege and the early history of the town through exhibitions, a collection display and a historical garden. It is currently closed for a redevelopment that includes a new layout and interpretation.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the Great Siege of Athlone in 1691
• Figures and stories of the people who lived through the siege
• Early settlement display with an early Christian stone slab
• Highlights from the museum collection
• Castle courtyard and historical garden

Permanent exhibitions

• The Siege of Athlone – Tells the story of the Williamite wars and the Great Siege of 1691.
• People of the Siege – Introduces some of the people caught up in the siege, including a sculpture of the Jacobite officer Marquis d’Usson.
• Early Settlement – Looks at the first settlers and the Anglo-Norman town around the castle, with an early Christian stone slab on display.

Founded

2012

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible toilets are in the castle courtyard. Contact the centre for details of step-free access.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum has a family section with free craft projects, fact sheets and castle stories, and a dress-up area. Children must be supervised at all times.

Getting there & parking

The town marina on the east bank of the Shannon is a short walk away. The Old Rail Trail Greenway reaches Athlone from Mullingar.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check: not available

There is no café at the centre, but cafés and restaurants are close by in the town. There is no bag or luggage storage.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit