Athlone - My Home Town

My Home My Home TownTown

AthloneAthlone((Baile Átha LuainBaile Átha Luain ) )

IrelandIreland

IntroductionIntroduction ““Baile Átha LuainBaile Átha Luain”” meaning Town of the meaning Town of the

Ford of Luan .Ford of Luan .

One of the largest towns in central Ireland .One of the largest towns in central Ireland .

Population of 17,544 approx.Population of 17,544 approx.

Governed by an elected town council which Governed by an elected town council which elects a Mayor. elects a Mayor.

Commuter town to Dublin.Commuter town to Dublin.

Twin town is Chateaubriant, France.Twin town is Chateaubriant, France.

Radisson SAS on the Banks of the River ShannonRadisson SAS on the Banks of the River Shannon

LocationLocation

Located in central Located in central Ireland.Ireland.

Lies on the banks of Lies on the banks of the Riverthe River Shannon.Shannon.

Situated on the N6 Situated on the N6 road connecting road connecting Galway to Dublin.Galway to Dublin.

HistoryHistoryAthlone Castle and WarfareAthlone Castle and Warfare

At the end of the 12At the end of the 12thth century the Anglo- century the Anglo-Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey fortification on the River Shannon.fortification on the River Shannon.

Athlone Castle was built in 1210 by Athlone Castle was built in 1210 by Justiciar John Gray. Justiciar John Gray.

The Castle was largely destroyed during The Castle was largely destroyed during the Siege of Athlone. the Siege of Athlone.

It was subsequently It was subsequently rebuilt and enlarged.rebuilt and enlarged.

During the wars that During the wars that followed in the 17followed in the 17thth century, Athlone held a century, Athlone held a vital position, holding vital position, holding the main bridge over the main bridge over the River Shannon.the River Shannon.

In the Irish Confederate Wars(1641–1653), In the Irish Confederate Wars(1641–1653), the town was held by Irish Confederate the town was held by Irish Confederate troops until it was taken late in 1650 by troops until it was taken late in 1650 by Charles Coote.Charles Coote.

40 years later, during the Williamite War in 40 years later, during the Williamite War in Ireland, the town was again of central Ireland, the town was again of central strategic importance, being one of the strategic importance, being one of the Jacobite strongholds, after they had Jacobite strongholds, after they had retreated west after the Battle of the retreated west after the Battle of the Boyne.Boyne.

Athlone saw a further Athlone saw a further assault by the troops of assault by the troops of King William III.King William III.

The current bridge was The current bridge was built in the 19th century built in the 19th century to replace the old bridge.to replace the old bridge.

It was proposed in the It was proposed in the ÉÉire Nua programme to ire Nua programme to make Athlone the capital make Athlone the capital city of the Ireland.city of the Ireland.

HistoryHistoryCustume BarracksCustume Barracks

Occupies a large area of the west bank of Occupies a large area of the west bank of the Shannon.the Shannon.

Named after Sergeant Custume: Named after Sergeant Custume: In the 1691 Siege he led a dozen volunteers, In the 1691 Siege he led a dozen volunteers,

under the Dutch guns to tear down the wooden under the Dutch guns to tear down the wooden bridge and prevent them reaching the castle. bridge and prevent them reaching the castle.

The Barracks is today the headquarters of The Barracks is today the headquarters of the Western Command of the Irish the Western Command of the Irish Defense Forces. Defense Forces.

The Army No. 4 Band was formed in 1936 and has The Army No. 4 Band was formed in 1936 and has been located at Custume Barracks, Athlone since been located at Custume Barracks, Athlone since

that time. that time.

Music, Theatre and Culture Music, Theatre and Culture

There are two theatres in Athlone which There are two theatres in Athlone which are: are: The Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre The Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre The Little TheatreThe Little Theatre

The RTThe RTÉÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival takes All-Ireland Drama Festival takes place annually which hosts:place annually which hosts: street theatrestreet theatre art exhibitionsart exhibitions workshopsworkshops events for young peopleevents for young people

Count John McCormack was born in Athlone Count John McCormack was born in Athlone and an annual festival celebrates this world and an annual festival celebrates this world renowned tenor. renowned tenor.

Athlone School of Music opened in October Athlone School of Music opened in October 2005 it is: 2005 it is: grant aidedgrant aided aimed at developing music education and servicesaimed at developing music education and services

St Peter and Paul's Church (Roman Catholic) St Peter and Paul's Church (Roman Catholic) is located on the west bank of the River is located on the west bank of the River Shannon. Shannon.

Hot air Balloons over Athlone TownHot air Balloons over Athlone Town

Tourism and Amenities Tourism and Amenities

Lough Ree, the largest lake on the Lough Ree, the largest lake on the Shannon, is a short distance from Athlone Shannon, is a short distance from Athlone and hosts:and hosts: Lough Ree Yacht ClubLough Ree Yacht Club

Lough Ree and the River Shannon are Lough Ree and the River Shannon are popular among: popular among: anglers anglers birdwatchersbirdwatchers swimmers swimmers pleasure craftpleasure craft

Athlone is the main retail centre in the Athlone is the main retail centre in the Midlands.Midlands.

It hosts many Hotels including:It hosts many Hotels including: Radisson SASRadisson SAS Prince of WalesPrince of Wales Shamrock LodgeShamrock Lodge

Athlone Town Centre hosts:Athlone Town Centre hosts: two internal streetstwo internal streets 54 shops54 shops Sheraton HotelSheraton Hotel Is the largest shopping centre, outside Dublin Is the largest shopping centre, outside Dublin

Athlone Town CentreAthlone Town Centre

There is a wide variety of Shops and There is a wide variety of Shops and Restaurants.Restaurants.

Sean’s Bar is located behind the Castle: Sean’s Bar is located behind the Castle: It is listed by the Guinness Book of World It is listed by the Guinness Book of World

Records as the oldest pub in the British and Records as the oldest pub in the British and Irish IslesIrish Isles

Other popular attractions for visitors Other popular attractions for visitors include:include: Glendeer Open FarmGlendeer Open Farm Viking Cruise of the ShannonViking Cruise of the Shannon Clonmacnoise monasteryClonmacnoise monastery

Education & industry Education & industry

Athlone's major employers include Athlone's major employers include companies such as:companies such as: ÉÉlan (pharmaceuticals )lan (pharmaceuticals ) Bioclin Laboratories (pharmaceuticals) Bioclin Laboratories (pharmaceuticals) Ericsson (telecommunications) Ericsson (telecommunications) Tyco Health Care (medical equipment) Tyco Health Care (medical equipment) Aleinware (computer hardware) Aleinware (computer hardware) Athlone Extrusions (polymers)Athlone Extrusions (polymers)

Athlone is the regional centre for a large Athlone is the regional centre for a large number of state and semi-state number of state and semi-state organisationsorganisations such as: such as: Department of Education and Science Department of Education and Science State Examinations Commission State Examinations Commission Revenue Commissioner Revenue Commissioner

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is the regional third level college: regional third level college: AIT harbors ambitions of attaining AIT harbors ambitions of attaining universityuniversity

statusstatus

Athlone Institute of TechnologyAthlone Institute of Technology

Sports Sports As well as having a Regional Sports As well as having a Regional Sports

Centre, Athlone has a variety of sporting Centre, Athlone has a variety of sporting organisationsorganisations:: Athlone Boat ClubAthlone Boat Club Athlone Town Association Football Club Athlone Town Association Football Club Buccaneers Rugby Club Buccaneers Rugby Club Athlone GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) ClubAthlone GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) Club Lough Ree Yacht Club Lough Ree Yacht Club Athlone Basketball Club Athlone Basketball Club Athlone Cricket Club Athlone Cricket Club TriathlonTriathlon

Athlone will host the European Triathlon Athlone will host the European Triathlon Championships in 2010 Championships in 2010

Tour of IrelandTour of IrelandTemple Villa Underage SoccerTemple Villa Underage Soccer

Athlone Triathlon 2008

Transport Transport

As a central location Athlone is a hub for As a central location Athlone is a hub for transport.transport.

Situated on the main Galway to Dublin rail Situated on the main Galway to Dublin rail line.line.

Bus Eireann the national bus operator: Bus Eireann the national bus operator: hourly service to Dublin and Galway hourly service to Dublin and Galway covers most towns and city's in the countrycovers most towns and city's in the country

Taxi service is widely available throughout Taxi service is widely available throughout the area.the area.

Ciara Preston

AITIreland

©2008