We ordered the set menu including lamb and potato terrine, pork belly, delicate hake, plus vegetables and potatoes. What to see betweenDublinand Galway not too far off the motorway? Artisan produce, local chatter and a warm welcome infuse bohemian cafes such as Lowe & Co. Typically 98 trains run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. The next day, we opted to stick with our car as the primary mode of transportation and admire the waters of Lough Ree from land. We picked up some loganberry jam. I tried a spring roll with Madras Indian curry fillings, creamy courgette risotto, and lemon cheesecake for dessert. But dont spend too long trying to wrap your head around that remarkable fact. Visit Baysports (one of the best things to do in Athlone with a group), 8. Some photospots to look out for include Athlone Castle on the banks of the River Shannon and the bright blue Masonic Lodge on Northgate Street. Travel down the Shannon and youll soon come to this ruined monastic settlement between the riverbank and the Mongan Bog. We dropped off our boat (after three attempts to park and tie up successfully at the pier) after a few hours cruising on the inner lakes of Lough Ree. Harbours and marinas in villages welcome all kinds of watersports and boating enthusiasts. Abbey Graveyard consists of a ruined church and some early 19th century headstones lining a tree-shaded path. Family fun Viking Tours Ireland. I bet those walls could talk One of my favorite activities in any Irish city, town, or village is to take a photowalk to capture. For more information on how we handle your personal data please read our Privacy Policy. Set in the Irish countryside just over an hour outside of Dublin, the Castle Barna Golf Club is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Consider the. Roscommon Town is about a 30 minute drive from Athlone. But in Athlone they do! Our family had a blast! Think parrots, emus, wallabies, monkeys, raccoons, meerkats and alpacas. The town is home to plenty of things to see and do and its also a stones throw from heaps of natural and man-made attractions, as youll discover below. Athlone is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. Your location is only used to show reccomendations. The ground floor is built from white limestone from Portland in Dorset, and there are six windows by the studio of eminent stained glass painter Harry Clarke. If he hadn't pointed us toward Clonaslee, we never would have seen these amazing ruins. This parkland course has a full practice area, and also benefits from that invigorating location by the water. Make sure you etch out some time to explore it. Photo via Tourism Ireland (Irelands Content Pool). Top Attractions in Athlone 2022 1. The doorstone has collapsed, causing the 25-ton capstone to slant at a 45 angle. Access My Ireland across all of your devices by logging in. Enable location access to get tailored travel tips for your current location. Anytime we tried to go further, it started to rain and we couldn't see out the windshield very well which was a bit unnerving. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. What are the top attractions to visit in Athlone? See an 18 meter preserved section of the ancient road and then walk the boardwalk above outside. Book Celtic Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin, Day Trip from Dublin : New Grange , Knowth, Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara + Small-Group Castles and Celtic History Tour from Dublin: Newgrange, Trim Castle tours. Athlone Castle Visitor Centre 845 Visitor Centres Castles Open now By lottyf1962 Shout out to the LUAS Driver in Dundrum at about 5pm. Theres a reason that Athlone Castle ranked so high in our guide to the best castles in Ireland. One of the most popular things to do on Lough Ree is boating. When the summer comes the Shannon and Lough Ree have a flotilla of yachts and cruise boats, and you can amble around the shore or play a round at one of the clubs by the water. Just 10 minutes from the town centre, the Glendeer Pet Farm contains a bunch of the usual Irish farmyard animals. Located just off Church Street on Friary Lane, Athlone Escape Rooms provides a fiendish set of tests for those intrepid enough to take the challenge on. Email: info@athlonecastle.ie. See Birr, Tullamore and more. In fact, exploring the beautiful colors of the town on foot with my camera was my favorite thing to do in Athlone. Here is our top 10 list of things to do after dark in Dublin. from 7,08,796.39. Seen this on a subreddit from Chicago. 2. Our Hen Party Packages in Athlone require a minimum of 15 people. Set sail for a 90-minute voyage around Lough Ree from the cozy and bubbly confines of a hot tub. Dating back to 1800, the building used to be St Aloysius College, and before that, until 1937, it was the parish church before the Church of Saints Peter and Paul was finished. One amazing island. Honestly, we weren't sure about stopping here. The best things to do in Athlone, Ireland You'll find the historic town of Athlone in County Westmeath, in Ireland's often-underappreciated midlands region. About The Host: Sam in the City is a queer person who spent the majority of their adult life amongst the craziness of New York City nightlife. Contact us at: Tours@AncientIrelandTourism.com - 15 Quirky Pet-friendly Airbnbs In Ireland Where You Can Take Your Dog On Holiday, 13 Lovely Thatch Cottages That You Can Hibernate In This Winter. Wicked spouses, grand gestures and a battle between brothers: discover the fascinating history of this Midlands gem. In the town the Norman castle and Church of Saints Peter and Paul command the scene on the Shannons west bank. TeenKix Easter Tour - Portlaoise. The area is popular with visitors and residents alike, thanks to its convenient location and array of amenities. The variety of beers is impressive. It has been said this is where St. Patrick himself baptized Christian converts over 1500 years ago. Youre going to want a serious feed after all this activity so why not hit up the finest restaurant in Athlone?! Muckross Lake Loop Trail (County Kerry) - akes in . Top Attractions in Athlone. Map. This experience just made my day! Athlone is 125 km away from Dublin and you can get to Athlone by car in about an hour and a half. The town is home to plenty of things to see and do and it's also a stone's throw from heaps of natural and man-made attractions, as you'll discover below. Have fun on one the day of the year when EVERYONE is Irish. Carrauntoohil (County Kerry) - the best mountain hike and the highest summit, at 1040m (3412ft). Bragging rights are on offer later in the evening if you can say that you were the one who figured it out. These have been collected over four decades and go back to the 18th century. Some of the more renowned artists featured here over the last six years include Sinad N Mhaonaigh, Catherina Hearne and James Hanley. Left Bank Bistro in Athlone is one of the town's most well-established restaurants. The Shannon, Co. Offaly. Just south of Athlone, you will find Clonmacnoise, a 6th century, early Christian site founded by St. Ciarn. Charleville Castle in Tullamore, County Offaly is Ireland's finest gothic revival castle. Map. The best place to stay is the charming town of Killarney where most parts of the ring can be reached in under an hour. The parks thatched grocery faithfully recreates the shopping experience of the 1930s, and is stocked with authentic bottles, cans and tin signs. The course has enormous greens, there isnt a weak hole in the 18, and its always a pleasure to tee off with distant vistas of the lake. The complex today has the remains of a cathedral, seven churches, three high crosses, as well as grave slabs dating from the earliest years of Christianity in Ireland. Things to see & do City tours. The name is derived from Atha Luain, which means Ford of Luain. Dating from the 13th century and survivor of numerous attacks and sieges, a trip to the fortress-like Athlone Castle is one of the most popular things to do in Athlone. While offline, you can still add items to My Board. See the beautiful stained glass windows and the wonderful balcony. Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains is the Best Nature Day Trip from Dublin 3. There is quite the story of the Wicked Earl and a tale of jealousy with one result being the building of the Jealous Wall to hide the view of a brothers much larger house, along with many other follies constructed around the grounds. Day 2: Athlone - Galway (100 mi / 160 km) Driving time: 2h 45min (1h 45min morning & 1h afternoon) Morning: The first stop out of Athlone is actually a slight detour but it won't set you back much and it's well worth the effort. Cultural & Theme Tours. But if you dont mind a short drive youll find another six in the wider area. If youre in the mood for live entertainment you can check the listings at this venue on Athlones left bank. Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. These boats tend to run in summer and are berthed on the quay under the castle walls or just along at the marina opposite the church. As a family with zero experience of horse riding we were nervous. Belfast & Beyond - A Great Day Trip from Dublin for City Lovers 4. Drive along the River Shannon and around Lough Ree. I discovered the Abbey Graveyard in Athlone on a walk into town from our Airbnb. Lough Boora Discovery Park, County Offaly is a family friendly landscape full of biodiversity, art and archaeology. Parking was a little confusing. Leaving from the quayside at Athlone Castle, the journey is a step back in time on a longboat (almost) where youll hear tall tales of the Vikings and their history in the area. In this section, we'll explore the best places to eat in Athlone and nearby. Did I mention that I've never driven a boat before? based on 224 reviews. The most recent restoration was just a few years ago and in 2012 a modern exhibition was unveiled at the castle, with multimedia stations and 3D maps recording five millennia of history in Athlone. Beware Google Maps directions when navigating to Corlea Trackway! . Birr also features some lovely cafes. How Is St. Patricks Day Celebrated In Ireland? Photo by Chris Hill via Irelands Content Pool. It was the community duck pond with all manner of birds (not just ducks) that we discovered in a park near the lake! You can disable notifications in the website settings of, Dip into the riverside town of Athlone and discover a beguiling mix of ancient history, buzzing restaurants and incredible landscapes, Get travel inspiration based on your location, Local weather warnings and useful travel information, Tips for events happening during your stay. Wonderful. Athlone castle was really cool, with great history and great views of the river. Take the long way around by following the brown tourist road signs. The turmoil its been through over the last 800 years means it looks quite different now to how it was originally constructed. Athlone is served by Citylink's Multi-Stop 763 Route, which provides services from Athlone to Dublin, Galway, and many towns between the two. Next stop? Let's review some Athlone day trip ideas to include in this Ireland itinerary. Swiftogeddon - The Taylor Swift Club NightSwiftogeddon - The Taylor Swift Club Night. Located right in the centre of Ireland and built on the banks of the mighty River Shannon, its natural that Athlone has piqued the interest of everyone from saints to sergeants through the centuries. 15. r/ireland. Athlone Castle Visitor Centre 845 Visitor Centers Castles By V5264GRlilyr Wondering about weather? The Corlea Trackway visitors centre was simply awe-inspiring! Trip.com features the best things to do in Athlone County Westmeath, including travel-guide, attractions, restaurants, and cheap hotels. Top things to do in Athlone 2023.2. The bold architecture of its portico, dome and pair of Italianate towers has all been interpreted as an assertion of Irish Catholicism in the wake of independence. The pubs, from Seans to Seerys to Gertie Browne's, are among the best on the island. The best Dublin dishes for dining on a budget. Athlone to Tullamore is just a 30 minute drive on the motorway. I highly recccomen. Just at the edge of Custume Bridge which crosses the River Shannon at the intersection of Northgate Street, you'll find a controversial sculpture meant to represent the River Shannon. Tullamore and the Slieve Bloom Mountains are another easy day trip from Athlone in Ireland's Midlands. It's also not just one route there's choices and branches For now, from the east, the route starts in Maynooth and you travel along the Royal Canal Greenway for over 60km to Mullingar. Private & Custom Tours. This is an ideal thing to do in Athlone at any time of year as long as it doesnt rain! Opened in 2010 by husband and wife team Feargal and Fiona ODonnell, The Fatted Calf on Church Street serves up the best in modern Irish cuisine using the freshest ingredients and seasonal locally sourced Midlands produce. At the time we visited, Sean's Bar wasn't serving customers indoors. The animals are awesome and the play area for the kids and adults are so much fun. Book these experiences for a close-up look at Athlone. What to do in Athlone: where have we missed. Popular things to do. Discover things to do in Athlone Ireland. What are the most popular things to do in Athlone with kids? Here are my quick picks for what to see in Athlone and the surrounding area. The Glasson Country House and Golf Club has its own small harbour, allowing you to go straight from the water to the fairways. Not only that, but Baysports Athlone is Irelands largest inflatable waterpark. Rental with Free Wi-Fi. Dublin, Cork and Rosslare are your closest ports. Fancy a two-wheeled adventure? Athlone day trips are all located within a 45 minute drive of Athlone Town. Day trips abound, too, so make sure you leave time to discoverLough Key Forest Park, a gorgeous adventure playground in County Roscommon; Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, with its follies and woodland walks; and the wonderfully quirky Derryglad Folk and Heritage Museum. The Kilbeggan Experience Tour takes you through the old distillery, no longer in use, and once powered by the water wheel along the river Brosna. It's a mark of respect to the men of A company 35th Battalion who fought for the UN in the Congo against enormous odds. Theres a fair few things to do in Athlone. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Photo by Fennell Photography via Irelands Content Pool. The Kilbeggan Experience Tour takes you through the old distillery, no longer in use, and once powered by the water wheel along the river Brosna. The best bit is a 360 cinematic depiction of the Siege of Athlone during the Williamite War in 1690. Flooded with light and boasting panoramic views over the water, the Luan Gallery is a showcase for local and international art and makes an incredible architectural counterpoint to the structures that surround it. If visiting during the first week of May, Uisneach is a must-see as the ancient fire festival of Bealtaine is celebrated on the hill attracting over 2000 participants with food, music, crafts, workshops, well-being, and children's activities.