Athlone Town
Athlone is a vibrant town located close to the geographical centre of Ireland. Because of its large population of young people it is an eclectic mix of old and new.
Athlone Nightlife
There are several clubs and societies to get involved in with weekly and weekend events regularly organised. In Athlone town itself you can find theatres and cinemas, as well as the usual helping of lively pubs and popular nightclubs.
Historic Athlone
Because of its geographical position on the Shannon river near to Lough Ree, Athlone has always been of important strategic significance over the millennia.
Athlone Castle dates back to medieval times. The castle has wonderful views from its battlements, with lots of information on the history of the local area. South of town, along the River Shannon you can find the early Christian ruins of Clonmacnoise. These include a cathedral and 7 churches.
You don’t have to travel far to the north of Athlone town to discover Lough Ree and its abundance of islands, several of which still have monastic ruins on them.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park has wonderful example of a ring fort, with a forge and rich birdlife.
Excellent transport links
Athlone is very well serviced by rail, bus and road links to the rest of the country.
Train Services
The main Irish Rail trainline from Dublin Heuston runs through Kildare, Portarlington, Tullamore and Clara on its way to Athlone, then running westwards through Ballinasloe, Woodlawn, Attymon, Athenry, Oranmore before it arrives at Ceannt (Kent) station in Galway.
Mayo is connected via the Inter City from Athlone through Roscommon, Castlerea, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, and Castlebar before terminating at Westport, Co. Mayo. Connections to the South and South-West of Ireland can be made via train transfer at Athenry station, while connections via transfers at Portarlington and Mallow provide access to the South and South-east of the country. Kildare station transfers connect Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.
Bus Services
You will find Bus Eireann the national bus operator conveniently situated beside the railway station in Athlone. Services frequently run to the cities of Dublin and Galway. There are several other privately operated bus services running to Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Cavan, Longford, Roscommon and Belfast. The Flagline bus company operates several local bus routes around the town, as well as operating bus services throughout the country. Bus Éireann also runs local bus services around Athlone. Click on this link to access local timetables.
Road Links
Athlone is linked to Dublin and Galway via the main M6 motorway. An excellent network of national secondary roads connect Athlone with other towns and regions throughout Ireland. Ballymahon and Cavan are accessible via the N55 road, Roscommon is connected via the N61, and Birr, Roscrea, and Southern Ireland are accessed via the N62 road.
Athlone Town
Athlone is a vibrant town located close to the geographical centre of Ireland. Because of its large population of young people it is an eclectic mix of old and new.
Athlone Nightlife
There are several clubs and societies to get involved in with weekly and weekend events regularly organised. In Athlone town itself you can find theatres and cinemas, as well as the usual helping of lively pubs and popular nightclubs.
Historic Athlone
Because of its geographical position on the Shannon river near to Lough Ree, Athlone has always been of important strategic significance over the millennia.
Athlone Castle dates back to medieval times. The castle has wonderful views from its battlements, with lots of information on the history of the local area. South of town, along the River Shannon you can find the early Christian ruins of Clonmacnoise. These include a cathedral and 7 churches.
You don’t have to travel far to the north of Athlone town to discover Lough Ree and its abundance of islands, several of which still have monastic ruins on them.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park has wonderful example of a ring fort, with a forge and rich birdlife.
Excellent transport links
Athlone is very well serviced by rail, bus and road links to the rest of the country.
Train Services
The main Irish Rail trainline from Dublin Heuston runs through Kildare, Portarlington, Tullamore and Clara on its way to Athlone, then running westwards through Ballinasloe, Woodlawn, Attymon, Athenry, Oranmore before it arrives at Ceannt (Kent) station in Galway.
Mayo is connected via the Inter City from Athlone through Roscommon, Castlerea, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, and Castlebar before terminating at Westport, Co. Mayo. Connections to the South and South-West of Ireland can be made via train transfer at Athenry station, while connections via transfers at Portarlington and Mallow provide access to the South and South-east of the country. Kildare station transfers connect Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.
Bus Services
You will find Bus Eireann the national bus operator conveniently situated beside the railway station in Athlone. Services frequently run to the cities of Dublin and Galway. There are several other privately operated bus services running to Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Cavan, Longford, Roscommon and Belfast. The Flagline bus company operates several local bus routes around the town, as well as operating bus services throughout the country. Bus Éireann also runs local bus services around Athlone. Click on this link to access local timetables.
Road Links
Athlone is linked to Dublin and Galway via the main M6 motorway. An excellent network of national secondary roads connect Athlone with other towns and regions throughout Ireland. Ballymahon and Cavan are accessible via the N55 road, Roscommon is connected via the N61, and Birr, Roscrea, and Southern Ireland are accessed via the N62 road.