Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has announced €1.84 million for enhancement works at Athlone Castle.

The public realm project, which will be funded by the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Westmeath County Council, will see the removal of existing ramps, steps and railings to improve accessibility and the usability of the space for visitors to gather and linger and for Events and Festivals.

The public realm enhancements will include both soft and hard landscaping, wayfinding signage and interpretation, seating and lighting.

Improving visitor experience and connection of Athlone’s heritage attractions

Minister Moran stated:

“The overall aim of the project is to improve the visitor experience to Athlone Castle, to ensure accessibility and to increase linger time by visitors at the location. The project is designed to remove clutter in the area around the castle, providing an unobstructed view of the castle from the bridge and maintaining the view of the River Shannon from the Market Square.”

“The cluster of important heritage and tourist attractions in the vicinity of Athlone Castle include the Luan Gallery, St. Peter and Paul’s Church, the historic Athlone Town Bridge, the new Athlone Greenway Bridge, key arrival point for Boat Tours and restaurants and bars. The enhancements will add greatly to tourism in the centre of Athlone improving access to a key tourism asset, attracting additional footfall and contributing to the vitality and vibrancy of the Tourism and Cultural Quarter of Athlone.”

Minister Moran added:

“Culturally, the Connaught side of Athlone is very important and it is critically that we maintain and enhance what is on offer to enhance our tourism offering.”

The Office of Public Works are contributing €660,000 towards the public realm works. TTI are contributing €500,000. Failte Ireland has contributed €280,000 towards the design of this project and the wider Wayfinding Strategy for the town and the remaining matching funding of €410,000 for the project is being provided by Westmeath County Council.

Minister Moran explained:

“The riverfront element of the enhancement project was originally envisaged to be delivered as part of the Athlone Flood Relief Scheme which has ensured the protection of Athlone from flood events and has also enhanced the public realm along the River Shannon throughout the town of Athlone.

“The urban section of the Athlone to Galway Greenway also forms a key element of the enhancement project. The recently constructed Athlone Greenway Bridge links with this project as a section of the Greenway passes below the historic Town Bridge and across the area in front of the Castle providing more opportunities for people using the Greenway to stop and linger in the heart of Athlone’s Tourism and Cultural Quarter.”

About Athlone Castle

Standing at a strategic crossing point on the River Shannon, Athlone Castle dates back to the 12th Century and has played a crucial role in the events that have shaped Ireland.

The first real signs of settlement at Athlone grew up in Anglo-Norman times around the castle which was built for King John of England by his Irish justiciar Bishop John De Gray of Norwich. Though not the first castle to be built at Athlone this castle has endured like no other. Looking at it today it still incorporates elements of the castle of 1210 together with various additions and alterations which were made in response to advances in warfare. It has many of the characteristics of a Napoleonic fortification as it was remodelled during that period to defend the crossing point of the Shannon.

Over the centuries it has been the nucleus of the Anglo-Norman settlement; a stronghold of the rival local families the Dillons and the O’Kelly’s; the seat of the Court of Claims; the residence of the President of Connaught and the Jacobite stronghold during the sieges of Athlone. After the Siege of Athlone it became incorporated into the new military barrack complex. It remained a stronghold of the garrison for almost three hundred years.

Learn more about Athlone Castle and plan your visit at AthloneCastle.ie