View source for Athlone

{{short description|Town in counties Roscommon and Westmeath, Ireland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Athlone
| native_name        = {{nativename|ga|Baile Átha Luain}}
| native_name_lang   = gle
| settlement_type    = Town
| image_skyline      = Athlone - SS Peter and Paul's Church - 20210809155932.jpg
| image_caption      = From centre: the [[Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone|Church of Saints Peter and Paul]] sits on the bank of the [[River Shannon]]; [[Athlone Castle]]
| image_shield       = Athlone COA.png
| shield_size        = 125px
| motto              = {{langx|la|Urbes Stant Legibus}}<br/>"A city stands by its laws"<br/> (literally "Cities stand by their laws"){{force singular}}
| pushpin_map        = Ireland
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
| coordinates        = {{coord|53|25|25|N|07|56|33|W|region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Ireland
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Leinster]], [[Connacht]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[County Westmeath]], [[County Roscommon]]
| leader_title2      = [[Dáil constituency]]
| leader_name2       = [[Longford–Westmeath (Dáil constituency)|Longford–Westmeath]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_total_km2     = 10.92
| elevation_m        = 56
| population_total   = 22,869
| population_as_of   = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="cso2022">{{cite web|title=Census 2022 - F1015 Population|work=Central Statistics Office Census 2022 Reports |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office Ireland]] |date=August 2023 |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 |access-date=16 September 2023 }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| blank_name_sec1    = Irish Grid Reference
| blank_info_sec1    = {{iem4ibx|N033420}}
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]
| area_code          = +353(0)90
| postal_code_type   = [[Eircode]] routing key
| postal_code        = N37
| timezone           = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset         = ±0
| timezone_DST       = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +1
| website            = {{URL|athlone.ie}}
}}
'''Athlone''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|θ|ˈ|l|oʊ|n}}; {{lga|Baile Átha Luain|The town of Luan's [[Ford (crossing)|ford]]}} {{IPA|ga|ˌbʲlʲɑː ˈl̪ˠuənʲ|}})<ref>{{cite web|author=P.W. Joyce|author-link=Patrick Weston Joyce |archive-date=9 May 2005 |url=http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenamesA.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509113054/http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenamesA.php  |title=Local historians describe it as ''The Ford of the Moon''|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a town on the border of [[County Roscommon]] and [[County Westmeath]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It is located on the [[River Shannon]] near the southern shore of [[Lough Ree]]. It is the second most populous town in the [[Midland Region, Ireland|Midlands Region]] with a population of 22,869 in the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]].<ref name=cso2022/>

Most of the town lies on the east bank of the river, within the [[Athlone (townland)|townland of the same name]]; however, by the terms of the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]], six [[townland]]s on the west bank of the Shannon, formerly in County Roscommon, were incorporated into the town, and consequently, into the county of Westmeath.<ref>[http://www.townlands.ie/westmeath/athlone-west-urban-ed/ Athlone West Unban] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017021813/http://www.townlands.ie/westmeath/athlone-west-urban-ed/ |date=17 October 2015 }} - LED</ref>

Around 100&nbsp;km west of [[Dublin]], Athlone is near the [[geographical centre of Ireland]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==History==
{{Main|History of Athlone}}
{{Historical populations
|state=collapsed
|1821|7543
|1831|11406
|1841|6393
|1851|6199
|1861|5902
|1871|6565
|1881|6755
|1891|6742
|1901|6617
|1911|7472
|1926|7540
|1936|7257
|1946|8379
|1951|9015
|1956|10369
|1961|10767
|1966|10987
|1971|11611
|1981|14426
|1986|15571
|1991|15358
|1996|15544
|2002|15936
|2006|17544
|2011|20153
|2016|21349
|2022|22869
|footnote=<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census Census for post 1821 figures.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920090850/http://cso.ie/census/ |date=20 September 2010 }}. Cso.ie.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.histpop.org |title= Histpop.org |access-date= 2012-02-18 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date= 7 May 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (c) 2013] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |date=17 February 2012 }}. Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk (27 September 2010).</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Lee|first=J.J. | author-link =J. J. Lee (historian)|editor-last=Goldstrom|editor-first=J. M.|editor2-last=Clarkson
|editor2-first= L. A.|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
|year=1981 |publisher= Clarendon Press|location=Oxford, England
|chapter= On the accuracy of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Mokyr  | first1 = Joel
 | author-link = Joel Mokyr | last2 = Ó Gráda | first2 = Cormac
 | author2-link = Cormac Ó Gráda | title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 | journal = The Economic History Review | volume = 37 | issue = 4
 | pages = 473–488 |date=November 1984
 | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-12-04 | doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x
| hdl = 10197/1406 | hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref name="cso2022"/>
}}

[[Athlone Castle]], situated on the western bank of the River Shannon, is the geographical and historical centre of Athlone. Throughout its early history, the [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] of Athlone was strategically important, as south of Athlone the Shannon is impassable until [[Clonmacnoise]], where the [[Esker Riada]] meets the Shannon, while to the north the Shannon flows into [[Lough Ree]]. In 1001 [[Brian Boru|Brian Bóru]] sailed his army up river from Kincora and through [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]] to attend a gathering in Athlone. The following year, Brian met the [[High King of Ireland]] [[Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill]] at Athlone, intending to engage him in a battle for the High Kingship – only to have Máel Sechnaill, abandoned by his kinsmen of the [[Northern Uí Néill]], submit to Brian without a fight.

A bridge was built across the river in the 12th century, approximately {{convert|100|m}} south of the current structure. In 1129, to protect the bridge, the High King [[Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair|Turloch Mór Ó Conor]] constructed a fort on the river's west bank, within Athlone. On a number of occasions both the fort and bridge were subject to attacks, and towards the end of the 12th century the [[Anglo-Normans]] constructed a [[motte-and-bailey]] fortification there. This earthen fort was followed by a stone structure built in 1210 by Justiciar [[John de Gray]]. The 12-sided [[donjon]], or tower, dates from this time; however, the rest of the original castle was largely destroyed during the 1691 [[Siege of Athlone]] and subsequently rebuilt and enlarged.

In 1607, Athlone was granted a municipal charter by James I. This entitled it to [[Athlone (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|send two MPs]] to the [[Irish House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Athlone |url=https://www.ancestryireland.com/history-of-the-irish-parliament/constituencies/athlone/ |website=History of the Irish Parliament |publisher=Ulster Historical Foundation |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

Throughout the wars that wracked Ireland in the 17th century, Athlone contained the vital, main bridge over the River Shannon into [[Connacht]]. During the [[Irish Confederate Wars]] (1641–53), the town was held by [[Confederate Ireland|Irish Confederate]] troops until it was taken in late 1650 by [[Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Mountrath|Charles Coote]], who attacked the town from the west, having crossed into Connacht at [[Sligo]].

Forty years later, during the pan-European [[War of the Grand Alliance]] (1688–97), the town was again of key strategic importance. In the Irish phase of the conflict (the [[Williamite War in Ireland]] of 1688–1691), Athlone was one of the [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] strongholds that defended the [[List of crossings of the Shannon|river-crossings]] into the Jacobite-held [[Connacht|Province of Connacht]] following the [[Battle of the Boyne]] on 1 July 1690. That same year, Colonel [[Richard Grace]]'s Jacobite forces in Athlone repelled an attack by 10,000 men led by Commander Douglas. In the following year's campaign, the [[Siege of Athlone]] saw a further assault by a larger allied force, during which the invading troops of [[William III of England|King William]] and [[Mary II of England|Queen Mary]] eventually overran the entire city. The defenders were forced to flee further west, toward the [[River Suck]], at such speed that eyewitness accounts record that they "flung their cannons into the morass" as they fled. The most recently discovered account of the Siege of Athlone, written after the attack, on 5 July 1691, was found in 2004 in an archive in the Netherlands. The account was penned by the victorious commanding officer from the [[Republic of the Seven United Netherlands]], general lieutenant Godard van Reede, in letters written to his family in mainland Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://moby.to/6v3qji |title= 5 Jul 1691, From the Army Camp at {{as written|Athl|oon [sic]}}: letter from Godard van Reede, general lieutenant of their majesties of England combined forces at land and at sea in Ireland 1690–1691, to his father, a multimedia webcast of a live broadcast by Ballinasloe Community Radio 102.8 FM|date=10 July 2004 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120312144250/http://www.mobypicture.com/user/deWinter/view/5544994 |archive-date=12 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the account, the commanding allied officer reported that half of Athlone's defenders retreated westward, towards the rest of their army, leaving almost 2,000 dead within the city walls and more than 100 taken prisoner, including dozens of officers.

Following the [[Acts of Union 1800]], Athlone continued as [[Athlone (UK Parliament constituency)|a constituency]], sending one MP to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]] from 1801 to 1885.

In the 1970s the [[Irish republicanism|Republican]] [[Éire Nua]] programme proposed making Athlone the capital of a federal [[United Ireland]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Fagan |first=Jack |title=Sinn Fein (Kevin Street) Plan for New Ireland |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=29 June 1972 |pages= 1, 7}}</ref>
[[File:Athlone.jpg|thumb|center|670px|Athlone Castle, Church of Saints Peter and Paul and the River Shannon]]

==Location and access==
[[File:Stmarys-3-athlone.jpg|thumb|upright|St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) in Athlone]]
With the two counties divided by the river, the part of the town that lies east of the Shannon is in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Leinster]], the county of [[County Westmeath|Westmeath]], the [[Barony (Ireland)|barony]] of [[Brawny (barony)|Brawny]], and the [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of St Mary's.<ref>[http://www.logainm.ie/256.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} - Barony of Brawny</ref> Unusually, the barony is coterminous with a single civil parish. In terms of ecclesiastical boundaries, the eastern part of the town is in the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise]] and the [[ecclesiastical parish|parish]] of St Mary's.<ref>[http://ardaghdiocese.org/athlone/page11.html Official website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414162219/http://ardaghdiocese.org/athlone/page11.html |date=14 April 2016 }} - St Mary's parish</ref> There are several other churches in the town including a [[Church of Ireland]] ([[St. Mary's Church, Athlone|St. Mary's]], [[Anglican Church|Anglican]]), the [[Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone|Church of Saints Peter and Paul]], a [[Franciscan]] friary and a chapel of the [[Society of Saint Pius X]].

[[File:St Peter and Paul Church Athlone.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone]]]]
However, seven [[townland]]s, or sections of the town, lie west of the Shannon: Athlone and Big Meadow, Bellaugh, Bogganfin, Canal and Banks, Doovoge, part of Monksland, and Ranelagh. Although surrounded by [[County Roscommon]] in the province of [[Connacht]], they are designated as part of [[County Westmeath]] to preserve the integrity of the town. These townlands lie in St Peter's civil parish in the barony of [[Athlone South]].<ref>[http://www.logainm.ie/57347.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland] - Barony of Athlone South</ref> In terms of ecclesiastical boundaries, the townlands west of the Shannon are part of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin]] and the parish of Saints Peter and Paul.<ref>[http://www.elphindiocese.ie/diocese/parishes Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709230652/http://www.elphindiocese.ie/diocese/parishes |date=9 July 2015 }} - parish of Saints Peter and Paul</ref>

===River===
[[File:Athlone canal.JPG|thumb|upright|Pleasure cruisers exiting the Athlone canal by the weir on the Shannon. June 2013]]
Athlone is a common stop for [[pleasure craft]] along the River Shannon.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} [[Lough Ree]], the largest lake on the Shannon, is a short distance [[Source (river or stream)|upstream]] from Athlone, and many boat companies are based out of the town. For craft to pass through Athlone, it is necessary to use a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] in the river, which is beside the weir and downstream of the current road bridge. The lock, weir, and bridge were all constructed by the Shannon navigation commissioners in the 1840s. Before then, boats used a canal, about a mile and a half long, to the west of the river. The canal was built by Thomas Omer for the Commissioners of Inland Navigation.<ref>Ruth Delany, ''The Shannon Navigation'', Lilliput Press, Dublin 2008.</ref> Work started in 1757 and involved the work of over 300 men. Omer built a single lock, 120' X 19' with a rise of 4.5', but there was also a guard lock, further upstream, with a single set of gates to protect the canal against floods. There were also two lay-bys, or harbours, one above the lock and another at the upstream end. The old canal is no longer navigable.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Rail===
[[Athlone railway station]] opened on 3 October 1859,<ref name="railbrit">{{cite web |url=http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |title=www.railbrit.co.uk |access-date=13 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813190623/http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> with [[Irish Rail]] services travelling eastwards to [[Portarlington railway station|Portarlington]], [[Kildare railway station|Kildare]] and [[Heuston railway station|Dublin Heuston]] and westwards to the [[Westport railway station, Mayo|Westport]]/[[Ballina railway station|Ballina]] lines as well as to [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]], [[Oranmore railway station|Oranmore]] and [[Galway railway station|Galway]].

Connections from Athlone via a train transfer at [[Athenry railway station]] extend to [[Ennis railway station|Ennis]] and [[Limerick railway station|Limerick]], while a transfer at [[Portarlington railway station|Portarlington]] connects [[Limerick Junction]] and [[Limerick railway station|Limerick]]. There are trains from Portarlington to [[Mallow railway station|Mallow]], and from Mallow to [[Cork railway station|Cork]], [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]], [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore]] and [[Tralee railway station|Tralee]]. Travel between Athlone and Killdare enables connections to [[Carlow railway station|Carlow]], [[Kilkenny railway station|Kilkenny]] and [[Waterford railway station|Waterford]].

===Bus===
For many years state-owned bus operator [[Bus Éireann]] provided hourly services to Dublin and Galway from its bus station in Athlone located beside the railway station, but in July 2021 these routes, 20 and X20 Expressway, were cancelled indefinitely. The company cited "continuing losses [..] resulting from the severe impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]" as the reason.<ref name = cancel>{{Cite web|last=Cusack|first=Adrian|date=2021-07-26|title=Bus Éireann to end its Athlone services to Dublin and Galway this week|url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2021/07/26/bus-eireann-to-end-its-athlone-services-to-dublin-and-galway-this-week/|access-date=2022-05-11|website=[[Westmeath Independent]]|language=en}}</ref> Bus Éireann services between Dublin and Belfast, Cork and Limerick were also cut following a "viability review" of 18 routes in September 2020.<ref name = cancel/> It was noted that from July 2021 onwards, bus journeys between Athlone and Galway, [[Ballinasloe]], [[Moate]], Dublin city or Dublin airport would be operated by private companies only, with passengers being dropped off or picked up at the Arcadia Retail Park and [[Athlone Institute of Technology]] rather than the bus station. Such private bus companies that stop in Athlone include [[Irish Citylink|Citylink]] and a new [[Aircoach]] bus route (Galway-Athlone-Dublin) which was established soon after Bus Éireann's decision, to cope with the demand.<ref name = cancel/>

There are also services to [[Limerick]], [[Dundalk]], [[Waterford]], [[Cavan]], [[Belfast]], [[Longford]] and [[Roscommon]]. The town is also home to a number of privately operated services, including the Flagline bus company, which operates local bus routes as well as service to [[Tullamore]].

[[Transport in Ireland|Transport for Ireland (TFI)]], the national public transport brand managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), operates a local Athlone bus service in and around the town. The local services are as follows: Route A1: Bus Station, Willow Park (Norwood Court) via Golden Island Shopping Centre, Dublin Road and Athlone Institute of Technology; and Route A2: Monksland (River Village); [[Garrycastle, St. Mary's|Garrycastle]] (Moydrum Road) via Galway Road, St. Peter's Avenue, Saint Anne's Terrace, the Batteries, Connaught Street, Northgate Street, Bus Station, [[Golden Island Shopping Centre]], Dublin Road and [[Athlone Institute of Technology]]. The Athlone Town service became Ireland's first fully electric bus service in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Carlow town bus service 'will prove transformative' – Minister for Transport |url=https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/first-carlow-town-bus-service-will-prove-transformative-minister-for-transport/ |website=Transport for Ireland |date=27 July 2023 |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref>

===Road===
The town is located alongside the [[N6 road (Ireland)|N6 dual carriageway]], which is effectively a section of the [[M6 motorway (Ireland)|M6 motorway]] connecting Galway to Dublin. The N6 passes along the northern side of the town, crossing the [[River Shannon]] into [[County Roscommon]]. A number of [[national secondary road]]s connect Athlone with other towns and regions, namely the [[N55 road (Ireland)|N55]] to [[Ballymahon]] and [[Cavan]], the [[N61 road (Ireland)|N61]] to [[Roscommon]] and the [[N62 road (Ireland)|N62]] to [[Birr, County Offaly|Birr]], [[Roscrea]], and Southern Ireland.

==Administration==
[[File:Frankie Keena, mayor of Athlone in Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.7|Frankie Keena is a four-time mayor of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District<ref name="Conway">{{Cite news |last=Conway |first=Eve |date=1 July 2024 |title=Frankie Keena becomes Mayor of Athlone for fourth time |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/07/01/frankie-keena-becomes-mayor-of-athlone-for-fourth-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701145123/https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/07/01/frankie-keena-becomes-mayor-of-athlone-for-fourth-time/ |archive-date=1 July 2024 |access-date=11 March 2025 |publisher=Independent Westmeath}}</ref>]]
Athlone was granted a municipal charter by [[James VI and I|James I]] in 1607. This created [[Athlone (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|a parliamentary borough]] with a right to elect two MPs to the [[Irish House of Commons]] until 1801.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athlone |url=https://www.ancestryireland.com/history-of-the-irish-parliament/constituencies/athlone/ |website=Ulster Historical Foundation}}</ref> After the [[Acts of Union 1800]], it [[Athlone (UK Parliament constituency)|was represented]] in the [[United Kingdom House of Commons]] by one MP. A commissioners' report dated 1833 stated: "To the prosperity of Athlone the corporation have at no time contributed, nor is it likely that, as at present constituted, they ever will. The strongest feeling of hostility exists between the inhabitants and its members."<ref name="Ireland1835">{{Cite book |last=Commissioners appointed to inquire into the municipal corporations in Ireland |title=Appendix to the First Report, Part I: Southern, midland, western and south-eastern circuits, and part of the north-eastern circuit |publisher=HMSO |year=1835 |series=[[Command paper]]s |volume=27 |page=136 |chapter=Athlone |access-date=7 June 2023 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUcxAQAAMAAJ&pg=125 |issue=1}}</ref> The municipal corporation was abolished under the [[Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840]]. It was disfranchised by the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]].

Athlone was later granted [[town commissioners]] under the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854. Following the [[Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878]], Athlone was designated as an urban sanitary district. Under the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]], the town became an [[urban district (Ireland)|urban district]] and the board of commissioners was upgraded to an urban district council. The portion of the urban sanitary district which had been in County Roscommon was transferred to County Westmeath.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clancy |first=John Joseph |author-link=J. J. Clancy (North Dublin MP) |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookoflocalg00clan/page/430/mode/2up?view=theater |title=A handbook of local government in Ireland: containing an explanatory introduction to the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898: together with the text of the act, the orders in Council, and the rules made thereunder relating to county council, rural district council, and guardian's elections: with an index |publisher=Sealy, Bryers and Walker |year=1899 |location=Dublin |pages=431–432}}</ref> In 2002, the urban district council became a town council. In 2003, the area of jurisdiction of the town was enlarged.<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Athlone Town Boundary Alteration Order 2003|year=2003|number=704|type=si|date=18 December 2003}}; {{Cite ISB|title=Athlone Town Boundary Alteration (Supplementary) Order 2003|year=2003|number=705|type=si|date=18 December 2003}}</ref> In 2014, in common with all town councils in Ireland, it was abolished. The urban district council was based at the old civic offices, which had been crudely extended over time and were demolished to make way for the new Athlone Civic Centre, which was completed in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 September 2004 |title=New civic centre makes its mark in Athlone |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/new-civic-centre-makes-its-mark-in-athlone-1.1159857 |access-date=6 November 2023 |work=The Irish Times}}</ref>

In County Roscommon, Athlone is a six-seat [[local electoral area]] (LEA) to [[Roscommon County Council]] which forms its own municipal district.<ref>{{cite ISB|title=County of Roscommon Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|year=2018|type=si|number=631|date=19 December 2018}}</ref> In County Westmeath, Athlone is a five-seat LEA to [[Westmeath County Council]] which is part of the municipal district of Athlone—[[Moate]].<ref>{{cite ISB|title=County of Westmeath Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|year=2018|type=si|number=636|date=19 December 2018}}</ref>

===City status proposals===
In the 21st century, Athlone (including [[Monksland]]) has been proposed for redesignation as a regional [[city status in Ireland|city]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2005 |title=New Athlone retail complex to tap into Midlands' new wealth |url=https://www.independent.ie/news/new-athlone-retail-complex-to-tap-into-midlands-new-wealth/25981520.html |access-date=19 May 2010 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |location=Dublin |quote=the government's National Spatial Strategy [creates] a major city by linking the towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 April 2005 |title=Calls for re-opening of railway line |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0415/spatialstrategy.html |access-date=19 May 2010 |work=[[RTÉ.ie]] |publisher=RTÉ |quote=Delegates were also told that the gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar would constitute a joint city with a population of over 100,000 people within the next 30 years.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roche |first=Barry |date=16 February 2018 |title='Athlone City' could 'threaten investment in nearby counties' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/athlone-city-could-threaten-investment-in-nearby-counties-1.3394045 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=[[IrishTimes.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The creation of the technological university in the town in 2021 prompted renewed calls for city status.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-10-07 |title=Athlone measures up for city status |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2021/10/07/athlone-measures-up-for-city-status/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=[[WestmeathIndependent.ie]] |language=en-IE}}</ref> In November 2024, an [[RTÉ Television]] show, "Future Ireland", examined the possibility of Athlone becoming a city by 2050.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Sean |date=2024-11-09 |title=Irish town could become super-city to rival European capitals by 2050 |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/athlone-could-become-super-city-34071488 |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=[[Irish Mirror]] |language=en}}</ref>

Lobby groups such as Destination Athlone,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Mark |date=14 August 2017 |title=Athlone pushes for regional city status under new national spatial plan |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/athlone-pushes-for-regional-city-status-under-new-national-spatial-plan-1.3185338 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=[[IrishTimes.com]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Future Analytics Consulting |date=March 2017 |title=Athlone 2040 - A Regional City in the Midlands - Submission to Ireland 2040, Our Plan, National Planning Framework |url=https://cdn.npf.ie/wp-content/uploads/0766-Destination-Athlone-3.pdf |website=NPF.ie |via=National Planning Framework |format=pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Tríona |date=23 February 2017 |title=Athlone city status to be backed by Destination Athlone |url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/90649/athlone-city-status-to-be-backed-by-destination-athlone |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=[[Athlone Advertiser]]}}</ref> as well as [[property developer]]s such as [[Ballymore Group]] have made public submissions proposing Athlone as a city. The Ballymore plan, published in June 2025,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-22 |title=Massive plan to turn Athlone into city of 100,000 revealed |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/06/22/massive-plan-to-turn-athlone-into-city-of-100000-revealed/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=[[WestmeathIndependent.ie]] |language=en-IE}}</ref> described Athlone as a potential "[[15-minute city|15-minute]] [[green city]]", with a population of about 100,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-22 |title=Revealed: masterplan for new transformed Athlone city |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/06/22/revealed-masterplan-for-new-transformed-athlone-city/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=[[WestmeathIndependent.ie]] |language=en-IE}}</ref>

As part of a 2026 budget initiative, the [[Government of the 34th Dáil]] announced Athlone's inclusion as a regional centre in the "Living City Initiative".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hussey |first=Sinéad |date=October 11, 2025 |title=How could the Living City Initiative impact Athlone? |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2026/2025/1011/1537940-living-city-initiative/ |website=[[RTÉ News]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Culture<span class="anchor" id="Events"></span>==
[[File:View From Town Centre Looking West.jpg|thumb|Looking west from the town centre]]
Theatres in Athlone include the [[Dean Crowe Theatre|Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre]] and the [[Athlone Little Theatre|Little Theatre]].

[[RTÉ]] [[All-Ireland Drama Festival]] takes place annually in Athlone, bringing together nine amateur drama groups from across Ireland. The festival is supported by a number of "fringe" events that include [[street theatre]], [[art exhibition]]s, workshops and activities for young people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fringe |url=https://www.dramafestival.ie/fringe/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=RTE All Ireland Drama Festival |language=en-GB}}</ref>

A cultural and history festival focused on the town's connection to the Shannon, the Athlone River Festival, was held in 2019 and again in early August 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 June 2024 |title=Exciting river festival to showcase Viking settlement in Athlone |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/06/23/exciting-river-festival-to-showcase-viking-settlement-in-athlone/ |accessdate=25 February 2025 |website=Westmeath Independent |quote=The [2024] committee would like to thank [..] former chairman [..] who organised the last River Festival in 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=1 August 2024 |title=Athlone River Festival returns for Bank Holiday weekend |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/08/01/athlone-river-festival-returns-for-bank-holiday-weekend/ |accessdate=25 February 2025 |website=Westmeath Independent}}</ref> The festival is also planned for the [[August Holiday|August Bank Holiday]] weekend in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Plans confirmed for Athlone River Festival's August return |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/02/07/plans-confirmed-for-athlone-river-festivals-august-return/ |accessdate=25 February 2025 |website=[[Westmeath Independent]]}}</ref>

The Athlone Literary Festival is an annual event which began in 1999, originally as a weekend celebration of the life and works of [[John Broderick (writer)|John Broderick]], but which was later expanded to feature a variety of speakers and debaters.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The [[tenor]] [[John McCormack (tenor)|John McCormack]] was born in Athlone.<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]] |date=1992 |publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]] |isbn=0-85112-939-0 |editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]] |edition=First |page=1554}}</ref>

Athlone School of Music opened in 2013 and is a grant-aided project aimed at developing music education and services in the Midlands region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athlone School Of Music - Guitar, Piano, Drums Music Lessons Westmeath |url=https://athloneschoolofmusic.ie/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Athlone School Of Music - Guitar, Piano, Drums Music Lessons Westmeath |language=en-US}}</ref>

Abbey Road Artists' Studios launched in 2011 in a building constructed in 1841. These artists' studios, which provide a dedicated space for local and visiting artists, consist of four individual studios as well as a multi-purpose space which is used community cultural events, exhibitions, performances and workshops.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abbey Road Artist's Studios Exhibition Space {{!}} Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd |url=http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/artists-studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202230355/http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/artists-studios |archive-date=2 December 2012 |website=AthloneArtAndHeritage.ie}}</ref> The Abbey Road artists' studios work closely with the [[Luan Art Gallery]].

In 1954, Athlone became the first branch of the [[Inland Waterways Association of Ireland]] and the town had a large part in the organisation's creation.<ref>{{cite web |title=IWAI – Chronology |url=http://www.iwai.ie/org/1950s.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234545/http://www.iwai.ie/org/1950s.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |website=[[IWAI.ie]]}}</ref>

==Literature==
American crime writer [[James M. Cain]] refers to Athlone in his 1937 book, ''Serenade'', in a passage where two characters discuss tenor John McCormack:
"--There's the language he was born to. John McCormack comes from Dublin".
"He does not. He comes from Athlone".
"Didn't he live in Dublin?".
"No Matter. They speak a fine brogue in Athlone, almost as fine as in Belfast".
"It's a fine brogue, but it's not brogue. It's the English language as it was spoken before all the other countries of the world forgot how to speak it. There are two things a singer can't buy, beg or steal, and that no teacher, coach or conductor can give him. One is his voice, the other is the language that was born in his mouth. When McCormack was singing Handel he was singing English, and he sings it as no American and no Englishman will ever sing English".<ref>{{cite book|author=James M. Cain|title=Serenade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=URKdQ0FGnUcC|orig-year=1937|date=9 September 2010|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4091-3240-0|chapter=6}}</ref>

The Irish poet [[Aubrey Thomas de Vere]] wrote a poem ''The Ballad of Athlone'' which is an account of an incident in the 1691 siege.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ballad of Athlone|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/narrative-notes/the-ballad-of-athlone/|website=Ask About Ireland|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021010836/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/narrative-notes/the-ballad-of-athlone/|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=An Irishman's Diary|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.1054564|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030046/http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.1054564|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Amenities==
[[File:Town Centre.JPG|thumb|[[Athlone Town Centre]] shopping centre.]]
Athlone is a retail destination within the [[Midland Region, Ireland|Midlands]] region of Ireland. The town centre extends from Church Street in the west to Seán Costello Street in the east. Located centrally is the [[Athlone Town Centre]], a shopping centre built in 2007, containing 54 shops, cafés and a four-star hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheratonathlonehotel.com/|title=Sheraton Athlone Hotel|website=Marriott International|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816161838/http://www.sheratonathlonehotel.com/|archive-date=16 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athlonetowncentre.com/|title=Athlone Towncentre - Stylish shopping in the heart of Ireland|work=Athlone Towncentre Shopping Centre|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405102435/http://athlonetowncentre.com/|archive-date=5 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Golden Island Shopping Centre]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenislandsc.com |title=Golden Island Shopping Centre |access-date=2009-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430182838/http://www.goldenislandsc.com/ |archive-date=30 April 2009}}</ref> which opened in 1997, is also located in the town centre.[[File:GoldenIslandShoppingCentreAthlone.jpg|thumb|[[Golden Island Shopping Centre]], opened 1997]]
Athlone Regional Sports Centre, developed by the former Town Council in 2002, is located on the outskirts of the town. The facility contains a swimming pool, gym and [[AstroTurf]] pitches. It is served by TFI bus route (A2).{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Athlone has a number of hotels, including chains such the [[Radisson Blu]] and [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton]] hotels, as well as several locally owned ones.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Places of interest==
[[File:Athlone - IRA Memorial - 20190921125534.jpg|thumb|upright|IRA Memorial on Custume Place, Athlone]]
The promenade on the River Shannon is popular among [[Fisherman|anglers]], [[birdwatchers]] and [[human swimming|swimmers]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The lakeshore is accessed from Coosan Point and Hodson Bay.

[[Athlone Castle]] is open to the public as a museum and there is a tourist office on Church Street. [[Sean's Bar]], located on the west bank of the river, was certified by the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] as the oldest pub in Ireland.<ref name="vintage">{{cite web |last1=Flatley |first1=Helen |title=This Irish Bar Holds the Record as the World's Oldest Pub – Take a Look Inside |url=https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/03/05/seans-bar/ |website=The Vintage News |access-date=4 June 2020 |date=5 March 2019 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609223939/https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/03/05/seans-bar/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Luan Gallery was opened in 2012. It is the first purpose-built, modern visual art gallery in the Midlands. It was designed by [[Keith Williams (architect)|Keith Williams]], who also designed the Athlone Civic Centre. The gallery, which was officially opened by [[Jimmy Deenihan]], the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, opened with an exhibition of works from the [[Irish Museum of Modern Art]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/11/28/4013502-athlones-new-34m-art-gallery-to-open-tomorrow/|title=Athlone's new €3.4m art gallery to open tomorrow|work=[[Westmeath Independent]]|first=Tom|last=Kelly|date=28 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407162840/http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/11/28/4013502-athlones-new-34m-art-gallery-to-open-tomorrow/|archive-date=7 April 2016}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/luan-gallery|title=Luan Gallery|website=Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201080555/http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/luan-gallery|archive-date=1 December 2012 }}</ref>

[[Burgess Park (Athlone)|Burgess Park]] stands near the centre of the town, on the banks of the [[River Shannon]]. Other nearby tourist attractions include the Glendeer Open Farm and the Viking Cruise of the Shannon. [[Baysports]], a boat training and watersports centre with the world's largest floating inflatable water slide,{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} is located on the outskirts of the town at Hodson Bay.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Public art===
Examples of [[public art]] and sculpture in Athlone include the IRA Memorial which was erected near the corner of Church Street and Custume Place in the early 1950s.<ref name="niahMemorial">{{Cite web|title=IRA Memorial, Custume Place, Athlone, Athlone, County Westmeath|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15009271/ira-memorial-custume-place-athlone-athlone-county-westmeath|access-date=1 November 2024 | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage |website=buildingsofireland.ie|language=en-IE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=War Memorial Athlone Brigade I.R.A. Memorial in Athlone, Custume Place, Athlone, Westmeath|url=http://www.irishwarmemorials.ie/Memorials-Detail?memoId=1030|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.irishwarmemorials.ie}}</ref> It is dedicated to the Athlone Brigade of the [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) that participated in the [[Irish War of Independence]] (1919–1921) and [[Irish Civil War]] (1922–1923).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Athlone - Baile Átha Luain - Athlone Brigade IRA|url=https://statues.vanderkrogt.net/object.php?webpage=ST&record=ie324|access-date=2020-06-17|website=statues.vanderkrogt.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=At the crossroads of the country|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/at-the-crossroads-of-the-country-1.738459|access-date=2020-06-17|website=The Irish Times|language=en | quote = take a stroll past the shadow of a gunman – a statue dedicated to IRA volunteers from the original Troubles – and cross the bridge to the old town }}</ref> The [[limestone]] statue consists of a life-sized male figure, dressed in a typical IRA uniform from the period,<ref name="niahMemorial"/> and was created by Dublin-based sculptor [[Desmond Broe]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Foster|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEMTBwAAQBAJ&dq=IRA+Memorial+athlone&pg=PT85|title=The Irish Civil War and Society: Politics, Class, and Conflict|date=2015-02-18|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-137-42570-6|language=en}}</ref>

Also on Custume Place is a sculpture, the "Mask of the Shannon", which was erected in 2020 - despite some controversy about the choice of figure used to [[Personification|personify]] the [[River Shannon]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2020/09/11/athlones-shannon-mask-sculpture-is-still-on-the-cards/ | work = Westmeath Independent | title = Athlone's Shannon 'mask' sculpture is still on the cards | date = 11 September 2020 | accessdate = 1 November 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2022/06/17/council-seeks-ideas-for-e125k-art-commission-on-local-cycleway/ | work = Westmeath Independent | title = Council seeks ideas for €125k art commission on local cycleway | date = 17 June 2022 | accessdate = 1 November 2024 | quote = some local objections were raised to the choice of the 'Mask of the Shannon' sculpture by Mayo artist Rory Breslin [..] Despite the controversy, the piece went ahead and was installed at Custume Place, Athlone, in December 2020 }}</ref> A [[Figurative art|figurative statue]], representing the "contributions the [[Marist Brothers]] have made to the town of Athlone",<ref>{{cite web|url = https://markrode.ie/portfolio/marist-brothers-memorial/ | website = markrode.ie | title = Marist Brothers Memorial - Mark Rode Sculpture | accessdate = 1 November 2024 }}</ref> was unveiled on St. Mary's Square in 2012.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://champagnat.org/en/marist-brother-memorial-statue-athlone/ | website =champagnat.org | title = Marist Brother Memorial Statue, Athlone | date = 17 August 2012 | accessdate = 1 November 2024 }}</ref>

===Greenway===
[[File:Athlonemullingargreenway793457937.jpg|thumb|Bridge on the greenway]]
{{Main|Athlone to Mullingar Cycleway}} The [[Old Rail Trail]] greenway runs for 42 kilometres from Athlone to [[Mullingar]], along the disused [[Midland Great Western Railway|Athlone-Mullingar Railway]].<ref>{{cite web |title=42km of Brilliant Biking |url=https://athlone.ie/visit/the-greenway-cycleway/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Westmeath County Council (WCC) Our Services |url=http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/artsandrecreation/greenways/oldrailtrail-routemap/}}</ref> It will eventually form part of the [[Dublin–Galway Greenway]]. A new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the [[River Shannon]] was built beside the Luan Gallery and opened in August 2023.<ref name="Greenway Bridge">{{cite news |last=Percival |first=Geoff |date=8 August 2023 |title=Athlone Greenway Bridge Officially Opened |url=https://ittn.ie/irish-news/athlone-greenway-bridge-officially-opened/ |work=ITTN}}</ref>

==Education and industry==
[[File:WeirWallInAthlone.jpg|thumb|Athlone on the [[River Shannon|Shannon]]]]

Athlone's major employers include Alkermes, a pharmaceutical company that succeeded Elan in Athlone; Bioclin Laboratories, another pharmaceutical company; PPD Thermo Fisher a clinical research company, [[Ericsson]], a telecommunications business; [[Tyco Healthcare]], a medical equipment supplier; Utah Medical, another medical equipment supplier; Pharmaplaz, another pharmaceutical company; [[Alienware]], a computer hardware business; ICT Eurotel, a contact centre; and Athlone Extrusions, a [[polymers|polymer]] supplier.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Athlone is the regional centre for a large number of state-run and semi-state-run organisations. The [[Department of Education and Youth|Department of Education]], [[State Examinations Commission]], [[Revenue Commissioners]], [[FÁS]] Midlands Region, [[Bus Éireann]], [[Iarnród Éireann]], [[IDA Ireland]] and [[Enterprise Ireland]] all have bases in the town. Athlone is also a major Irish military centre, as the [[Custume Barracks]], which lie on the west bank of the Shannon in the town, is the headquarters of the Western Command of the [[Irish Army]].

The [[Athlone Institute of Technology]] (AIT) is a constituent institute of the [[Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest]], (TUS).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://aitlitconsortium.ie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505095844/https://www.aitlitconsortium.ie/ |archive-date=2021-05-05 |access-date=2021-05-05 |website=AIT-LIT Consortium |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Limerick IT and Athlone IT to merge to form new technological university |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/limerick-it-and-athlone-it-to-merge-to-form-new-technological-university-40388958.html |access-date=2021-05-05 |website=[[Independent.ie]] |language=en |first=Brendan |last=Kelly Palenque |date=2021-05-05 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505111209/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/limerick-it-and-athlone-it-to-merge-to-form-new-technological-university-40388958.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Athlone forms part of the [[Midlands Gateway]], an in-progress infrastructure initiative, along with [[Mullingar]] and [[Tullamore]]. The AIT has a campus size of 44 acres, and has new, purpose-built facilities include the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies building, built in 2003; the Nursing and Health Science building, built in 2005; the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, also built in 2005; the Engineering and Informatics building, built in 2010; and the Postgraduate Research Hub, also built in 2010.<ref>[http://www.ait.ie/campus/ Campus Developments] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225936/http://www.ait.ie/campus/ |date=3 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology.</ref> [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ's]] Midlands studio and office are located at AIT.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16553-en.html |title=2012 press releases - RTA midlands office to be re-located to AIT |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306013214/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16553-en.html |publisher=[[Athlone Institute of Technology]] |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref>

The [[Athlone Institute of Technology]] has [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[Rio de Janeiro State University]], one of the largest universities in the Brazilian city.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16884-en.html |title=2012 press releases AIT Signs MoU with Rio de Janeiro State University |url-status=dead |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304004134/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16884-en.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |publisher=[[Athlone Institute of Technology]] |date=16 October 2012}}.</ref> AIT also has agreements with the [[Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais]], one of the largest Brazilian private universities.<ref>{{cite press release |url-status=dead |access-date=8 June 2020 |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2011pressreleases/title-12201-en.html |title=2011 press releases - AIT Signs Agreement with Brazilian University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001708/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2011pressreleases/title-12201-en.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |publisher=[[Athlone Institute of Technology]] |date=20 November 2011}}</ref> The institute also founded agreements with two leading Beijing universities, the [[Capital University of Economics and Business]] and the [[Beijing Union University]].<ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-3506-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305182901/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-3506-en.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (30 March 2010).</ref><ref name="ait.ie">[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-4184-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306182147/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-4184-en.html |date=6 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (12 May 2010).</ref> The agreements were signed by the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and university representatives.<ref name="ait.ie"/> Other agreements exist between the AIT and [[TVTC]], in Saudi Arabia, and a memorandum of understanding exists with the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]].<ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-2961-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051122/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-2961-en.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (1 March 2010).</ref><ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-600-en.html 2009 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222635/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-600-en.html |date=4 January 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (21 January 2009).</ref> Further agreements exist with the [[Bharati Vidyapeeth]], one of the largest universities in [[India]].<ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-593-en.html 2009 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222635/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-593-en.html |date=4 January 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (25 August 2009).</ref>

There are four major secondary schools in the Athlone area, the [[Athlone Community College]], a coeducational school; Our Lady's Bower School, a girls' school; [[Marist College, Athlone|Marist College]], a boys' school; Coláiste Chiaráin, the new secondary school resulting from the amalgamation of [[St. Aloysius College, Athlone|St. Aloysius' College]] and St Joseph's College, Summerhill.

In June 2010, [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]] announced his support of a proposed European and Chinese training hub in Athlone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/eurochinaathlone001/category/1084 |title=Euro-China trading hub in Athlone proposed |publisher=Inside Ireland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126062423/http://insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/News/ext/eurochinaathlone001/category/1084 |archive-date=26 November 2010 }}</ref> In May 2012, the project was granted permission by [[An Bord Pleanála]]. It was planned to comprise a total of nine exhibition halls, nine smaller independent exhibition buildings, one temporary exhibition space, several offices, administrative services, some living quarters, hotels, shops, restaurants, pubs, a school and railway station.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0501/asian-trade-hub-for-athlone-approved.html | publisher=RTÉ News | title=€175m Asian trade hub in Athlone would create up to 1,500 jobs | date=1 May 2012 | access-date=2 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502121803/http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0501/asian-trade-hub-for-athlone-approved.html | archive-date=2 May 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was never built.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whatever happened to... A massive Chinese business centre in Westmeath? |url=https://fora.ie/athlone-china-trading-hub-3122866-Dec2016/ |access-date=2021-05-05 |website=[[Fora.ie]] |date=30 December 2016 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505123142/https://fora.ie/athlone-china-trading-hub-3122866-Dec2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Broadcasting==
Between 1931 and 1975 the main [[radio transmission]] centre for Irish radio was located at Moydrum, Athlone ({{Coord|53|25|14|N|7|52|52|W|type:landmark}}). The original [[call sign]] was 2RN, a wordplay on the song "Come back to Erin". The station subsequently became known as "Radio Athlone" and could clearly be heard throughout Europe, and as far away as Moscow. This changed as bandwidth allocations were accorded at the Helsinki Declaration.

The station originally operated at a power of 60&nbsp;kW, which during the 1950s, was increased to 100&nbsp;kW. For an antenna, a [[T-antenna]] was and is still used, which spins between two 100-metre tall guyed masts with square cross-sections and which are insulated against ground. Many old radio sets in Europe had the "Athlone" dial position marked near the end of their tuning scales.

In the late 1970s the station reopened on a new dial position of 612&nbsp;kHz for "Radio 2", later known as [[RTÉ 2fm]]. Moydrum was also the location of Ireland's short-lived Shortwave international radio service, which was closed down in 1948 due to lack of money. Today, [[RTÉ]]'s Midlands studios are located in Athlone, at St. Mary's Square. The local radio station is [[Midlands 103]]. Many also tune into the [[Shannonside FM|Shannonside]] station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shannonside.ie/index.php |title=Shannonside – Home |publisher=[[Shannonside FM]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106234551/http://www.shannonside.ie/index.php |archive-date= 6 November 2014 }}</ref>

A radio station, [[i102-104FM]], was launched in 2008, geared to the 15–34 age group of the Midlands and Northeast.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/digital-radio-receives-an-old-fashioned-launch-treatment-1.891919?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fdigital-radio-receives-an-old-fashioned-launch-treatment-1.891919|title=Digital radio receives an old-fashioned launch treatment|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Lorna|last=Siggins|date=8 February 2008|access-date=27 April 2020}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bci.ie/news_information/press163.html|title=BCI signs contract with iRadio for new north west regional youth service|publisher=[[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland|Broadcasting Commission of Ireland]]|date=7 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928152206/http://www.bci.ie/news_information/press163.html|archive-date=28 September 2008|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>

The Athlone Community Taskforce and several members of the Roscommon community radio station, RosFM, have begun broadcasting from the Athlone area under the banner of Athlone Community Radio. Their first broadcast was on 15 March 2008 and the broadcasts were originally set to run every Saturday and Sunday for the following 15 weeks, until their temporary licence expired. They received a 10-year licence on 14 January 2011 from the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]], and they currently broadcast on the frequency of 88.4 FM.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bci.ie/licensing/radio/temporary_services_apps.html |title=BCI: Licensing: Radio: Successful applicants for Temporary services |publisher=[[Broadcasting Commission of Ireland]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402092214/http://www.bci.ie/licensing/radio/temporary_services_apps.html |archive-date= 2 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://athlonecommunityradio.ie/about |title=about us |publisher=Athlone Community Radio |access-date=29 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715133156/http://athlonecommunityradio.ie/about/ |archive-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Print==
Local newspapers include the ''[[Westmeath Independent]]'' located on Sean Costello Street which was established in 1846 and the ''Athlone Topic''.

==Sport==
[[File:Athlone IT.jpg|thumb|The [[Athlone IT]] International Arena in Athlone]]

In addition to being home to the Athlone Regional Sports Centre, a number of sporting organisations are based in the town. These include [[Athlone Town F.C.|Athlone Town Football Club]], who play their home games at [[Athlone Town Stadium]] in [[Lissywollen]], an arena with a 5,000 person capacity. Athlone Town FC won the League of Ireland Championship in 1981 and 1983, as well as the [[FAI Cup]] in 1924. The team also qualified for the [[1975–76 UEFA Cup]], where they played 0–0 against [[AC Milan]].

The Athlone IT International Arena, which cost to ten million Euro to build, was opened in 2013 as Ireland's first "world-class" indoor athletics arena. It has a floor space of nearly 10,000 square metres.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130412224413/http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/athletics-athlone-it-unveil-10m-indoor-field-of-dreams-29022650.html Athletics: Athlone IT unveil €10m indoor 'field of dreams']. Independent.ie (25 January 2013).</ref><ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2013pressreleases/title-18786-en.html 2013 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222635/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2013pressreleases/title-18786-en.html |date=4 January 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (15 February 2013).</ref> The opening of the arena, which was opened by [[Taoiseach]] [[Enda Kenny]], was described by Senator [[Eamonn Coghlan]] as the "best news story in Irish athletics history".<ref>[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2013pressreleases/title-18407-en.html 2013 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025717/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2013pressreleases/title-18407-en.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (23 January 2013).</ref> The stadium hosts the annual AIT Grand Prix event, broadcast by TG4 in Ireland and internationally via Vinco and Runnerspace.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Athlone hosted the [[European Triathlon Championships]] in 2010 when approximately 5,000 athletes participated in the event. [[Alistair Brownlee]] of Great Britain won the event.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Athlone is home to several [[Gaelic football]] teams, including Tubberclair GAA, [[Garrycastle GAA]], and [[Athlone GAA]], with [[St. Brigids (Roscommon) GAA]] and [[Clann na nGael GAA (Roscommon)|Clann na nGael GAA]] being located outside Athlone itself. Having won the 2011 [[Leinster Senior Club Football Championship]], Garrycastle GAA qualified for the [[2011–12 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship]] final for the first time in the club's history by beating Connacht Champions, St. Brigids GAA, in an all-Athlone semi-final.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Athlone is also home to [[Buccaneers RFC]], whose club's grounds are at [[Dubarry Park]]. Dubarry Park, with a 10,000 person capacity, is also home to the [[Connacht Eagles]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20130108013058/http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2012101183045/dubarry-park-announced-as-the-home-of-the-connacht-eagles Dubarry Park announced as the home of the Connacht Eagles | Connacht Rugby Website]. Connachtrugby.ie (11 October 2012).</ref> the team that represents Connacht in the [[British and Irish Cup]]<ref>[https://archive.today/20130107214721/http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2012051182840/the-bai-cup-set-to-arrive-in-connacht B&I Cup set to arrive in Connacht | Connacht Rugby Website]. Connachtrugby.ie (11 May 2012).</ref> and in the All Ireland Inter-provincial Championship.

The town is also home to [[Lough Ree Yacht Club]].

The European Capital of Sport awarded Athlone the title of European Town of Sport for 2013.<ref>[http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/11/4012159-athlone-chosen-as-a-european-town-of-sport/ Athlone chosen as a European Town of Sport] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407222905/http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/11/4012159-athlone-chosen-as-a-european-town-of-sport/ |date=7 April 2016 }}. ''Westmeath Independent''. (11 September 2012).</ref>

There are several golf courses near Athlone, including Athlone Golf Club, Glasson Golf & Country Club and Mount Temple Golf Club.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Notable people==
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2020}}
[[File:Churchstreetathlone.jpg|thumb|right|[[St. Mary's Church, Athlone|St. Mary's Church (CoI) in Athlone]]]]
*[[Earl of Athlone|The Earls of Athlone]] 
*[[Pat Barlow]] (1914–1986), professional footballer
*[[Robbie Benson]] (born 1992), professional footballer<ref name="faischools1">{{cite news |url=http://www.faischools.ie/national/news/2011/feb/sun/robbie-benson-awarded-fai-international-schools%E2%80%99-accolade|title=Robbie Benson awarded FAI International Schools' accolade |publisher=FAI Schools|date=8 February 2011 |access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927085333/http://www.faischools.ie/national/news/2011/feb/sun/robbie-benson-awarded-fai-international-schools%E2%80%99-accolade|archive-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
*[[Paul Brock (musician)|Paul Brock]] (born 1989), accordionist
*[[John Broderick (writer)|John Broderick]] (1924–1989), novelist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athloneheritage.com/famo/jbrod.html|title=John Broderick|publisher= Athlone Architectural Heritage Group|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707182811/http://www.athloneheritage.com/famo/jbrod.html|archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>
*[[James J. Browne]], former president of the [[National University of Ireland, Galway]] (2008–2018)
*[[Jack Carty (rugby union)|Jack Carty]] (born 1992), Connacht and Ireland rugby union player
*[[Dean John Crowe|John Crowe]] (Dean Crowe; died 1955),<ref name="NationalGallery">{{Cite web |title=Remembrance card designed by Richard King, in memory of Rev. John Dean Crowe of Athlone |url=https://sourcenationalgallery.ie/collection/calm-r4321 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=[[National Gallery of Ireland]]}}</ref> parish priest of St. Peter's parish on the Roscommon side of Athlone
*[[Michael Joseph Curley]] (1879–1947), Catholic Archbishop and educationalist
*[[Stephen Donohoe]] (born 1984), jockey and sailor
*[[Thomas Duffy (VC)|Thomas Duffy]] (1806–1868), recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[Lisa Dwan]] (born 1977), actress
*[[Jimmy Elliott]] (1838–1883), Irish-American world heavyweight boxing champion from 1865 to 1868
*[[Thomas Flynn (VC)|Thomas Flynn]] (1842–1892), [[Victoria Cross]] recipient
*[[John Ellard Gore]] (1845–1910), astronomer, one of the founding members of [[British Astronomical Association]]
*[[Robbie Henshaw]] (born 1993), Irish rugby union player<ref name="Henshaw family">{{cite web| url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/tackling-things-together-robbie-henshaw-and-dad-tony-31452419.html | work=[[Irish Independent]] | title=Tackling things together... Robbie Henshaw and dad Tony | access-date=5 November 2015 | date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
*[[Anthony Kelly (academic)|Anthony Kelly]] (born 1957), UK government advisor and professor at University of Cambridge and University of Southampton
*[[Henry Kelly]] (1946–2025), journalist and television presenter, grew up in Athlone<ref>{{cite news |title=Henry Kelly obituary: a versatile broadcaster who charmed audiences on 'Going for Gold' and 'Game for a Laugh' |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/henry-kelly-obituary-a-versatile-broadcaster-who-charmed-audiences-on-going-for-gold-and-game-for-a-laugh/a1368205952.html |date=26 February 2025 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref>
*[[Ralph Kenna]] (1964–2023), physicist, born in Athlone<ref>{{cite news |first=Adrian |last=Cusack |title=Great sadness at death of leading academic from Athlone |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/11/01/great-sadness-at-death-of-leading-academic-from-athlone/ |date=1 November 2023 |work=[[Westmeath Independent]] |access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref>
*[[Declan Lynch]] (born 1961), novelist and playwright
*[[David Madigan]] (born 1962), statistician
*[[John McCormack (tenor)|John McCormack]] (1884–1945), [[tenor]]
*[[Nicky McFadden]] (1962–2014), [[Teachta Dála]]
*[[Jacksepticeye|Seán McLoughlin]] (born 1990), YouTube game commentator known as [[Jacksepticeye]]
*[[Stefan Molyneux]] (born 1966), far-right podcaster and former YouTuber
*[[T. P. O'Connor]] (1848–1929), journalist and Member of Parliament
*[[Caroline O'Donnell]] (born 1974), architect and author
*[[Feargal O'Rourke]] (born 1964), accountant and taxation pioneer
*[[Mary O'Rourke]] (1937–2024), politician of various ministry roles and author
*[[Richard Rothwell (painter)|Richard Rothwell]] (1800–1868), 19th-century Irish portrait and genre painter
*[[Marcus Seoige]] (born 1976), actor
*[[Brendan Shine]] (born 1947), folk/country singer
*[[George Thomas Stokes]] (1843–1898), ecclesiastical historian

==International relations==
===Sister cities===
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Athlone, Victoria]], Australia{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
* {{flagicon |USA}} [[Providence, Rhode Island]], United States<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twinning Partnership between the City of Providence, Rhode Island, and the Town of Athlone, Ireland - City of Providence |url=https://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=15228&MediaPosition=&ID=48494&CssClass= |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=providenceri.iqm2.com}}</ref>

===Twin towns===
*[[Chateaubriant]], France<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/97954/mayor-calls-for-more-twinning-arrangements|title=Mayor calls for more twinning arrangements|date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Athlone Pursuivant]]
* [[Corlea Trackway]]
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[List of market houses in the Republic of Ireland]]

== Notes and references ==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Athlone}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{wikivoyage inline|Athlone}}
* [http://www.athlone.ie Athlone.ie] – Official Town Portal

{{Athlone}}
{{County Roscommon}}
{{County Westmeath}}
{{Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population}} 
{{River Shannon}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Athlone| ]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Shannon]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Westmeath]]
[[Category:Former urban districts in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland]]