ATHLONE

Athlone owes its existence to its location as the principal crossing point on the Shannon. The town links the east of Ireland to the west, and the river provides an artery of communication with Munster and Ulster. In early times, Athlone was known as An Sean Ath Mor, or the Great Ford of Antiquity. The modem name of Athlone comes from the two Irish words, Ath meaning ford or crossing, and Luan a man’s name and means the Ford of Luan.


A few miles to the south St. Ciaran founded the great monastery of Clonmacnoise in 548, and on Lough Ree, to the north, there were several early Christian settlements. These were ravaged by the Norseman who were active on the lake in the ninth and tenth centuries.

Athlone received a charter in 1599 and a second one in 1606, thus heralding the emergence of a viable civic centre. Industries sprung up including the manufacture of "Athlone Felt Hats" which were much praised by Dean Swift.

Athlone is a town of bridges and the present ford bridge was built by John Rhodes, a cousin of the famous Cecil Rhodes, the Victorian explorer. The white railway bridge was built in 1850 to bring the railway to the west. For its time the bridge was an amazing feat of engineering, over 540 feet In length and an open central span of 120 feet. Up to the mid 1930’s the central span was opened twice a year to accommodate yachts taking part in the regatta on Lough Ree. The most famous bridge of Athlone was the scene of fierce fighting during the Siege of Athlone. 1691- the most dramatic events in Athlone’s history.

Visit www.athlone.ie for more information