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| SHANNON REGION - Athlone |
Shannon Menu
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Athlone
in County Westmeath, has been a strategic crossing point on
the River Shannon for many centuries and this whole area is
very historical. Because of it's geographical position Athlone
has played a prominent role in many Irish battles.  The
town has some of the best shopping for visitors and a vast array
of knitwear, celtic crafts and souvenirs can be found, altogether
a wonderful place to visit.
The main feature here is Athlone Castle, situated on the west
bank of the Shannon, this has always been the town's main point
of defence. It was built by the Normans in 1210 on the site
of a wooden fort. The drum-shaped towers overlooking the river
date from the late 13th century. It has been partly destroyed
and remodelled several times due to fierce battles and many
ancient Kings have taken it over by force.
Today the Castle houses a Museum, Tourist Office, Tea Rooms,
Gallery and Interpretative Centre. 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 opening 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
ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise is situated at
the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly and dates back almost
1,500 years. St. Ciaran, the son of an Ulsterman who had settled
in Connaught, chose the site in 545 AD because of its ideal
location at the junction of river and road travel in Celtic
Ireland. The location borders the three provinces of Connaught,
Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the
River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying
a position so central it was the burial-place of many of the
kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. Metal workers of
gold, silver and bronze produced some of the world's finest
Celtic craftwork, not surpassed since the 11th Century.
 The
monastic settlement has seen many violent and destructive periods
in its history and was destroyed by fire at least 13 times.
In 1552 it was finally reduced to ruin by an English garrison
in Athlone and from that time onwards there were no monasteries
in Ireland for almost 300 hundred years. Clonmacnoise lay in
decay until the Office of Public Works began the arduous task
of turning it into one of Ireland's most famous visitors' centres.
Now, Clonmacnoise has a number of surviving reminders of our
past including the famous High Crosses. Visiting Clonmacnoise
is a unique experience and will afford you with plenty of opportunities
to take some excellent photographs of the settlements, stoneworks
and the local scenery. After the visit in the audio-visual centre
you can enjoy a coffee in the courtyard of the little café.
An excellent day out for all.
Originally built as an estate village, Glasson still
retains its old world charm, beauty and tranquility. Glasson
has something for everyone: award winning restaurants, championship
golf course, traditional pubs serving food, entertainment and
barbecues, historic builidngs and beautiful countryside. |
| Accommodations |
Coolvuck House, Coolvuck Ballykerran, Athlone , Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85032 Hotel
Hodson Bay Hotel & Golf Club, Hodson
Bay, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92444 Hotel
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| Restaurants |
Restaurant
Le Chateau, St.
Peters Port, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 94517;
Situated in the magnificently converted 19th Century Presbyterian
Church, on the banks of the river Shannon, the split-level
restaurant has a wonderful nautical theme. Stephen &
Martina, Chefs/Proprietors, use only the freshest & finest
ingredients in their creative menus, which are complimented
by an extensive wine list and excellent service. Mail
them here: lechateau@eircom.net
or visit their website:www.r-l-c.net |
Glasson Village Restaurant, Glasson,
Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85001
Grogans Restaurant, Glasson,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85158
The Olive Grove Restaurant, Custume
Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 76946
Wineport, Glasson, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85466
il Ristorante Park, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 73241
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| Pubs |
Conlons, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 74376
The Castle Inn, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92048
The Sportsmans Tavern, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92945
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| Visitor Attractions |
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Athlone Castle, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 72107
Athlone Castle & Visitor Centre provides excellent viewing
points across the river Shannon. The castle houses a tourist
information centre, gift shop and tea rooms. You may explore
the history of the castle and walk it's battlements. For
information and group bookings contact 0902 92912 |
Athlone Crystal, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92867
Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre, Clonmacnoise,
Co. Offaly. Tel. 0905 74195
Derryglad Folk Musuem, Curraghboy,,
Athlone, Co. Roscommon. Tel. 0902 88192 Museum
Glendeer Open Farm, Drum,,
Athlone, Co. Roscommon. Tel. 0902 37147 Pet Farm
Horse Drawn Caravans, Glasson,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85102
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| Golf |
Athlone Golf Club, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92073
Glasson Golf and Country Club, Glasson,
Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85102
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| Fishing |
Strand Fishing Tackle, Strand St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 79277 Tackle & Supplies
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| Cycling |
Bike Rental, M.White, Glasson, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85309
Irish Cycle Tours, Ballykerran, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85309
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| Equestrian |
Abbey Acre Riding Centre, Abbey Cottage Kilkenny, W. Glasson, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85289
Kiltoom Stables, Kiltoom,, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. Tel. 0902 89511
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| Sport & Leisure |
Athlone Leisure World, Diskin Entp Centre Grace Rd, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
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| Gifts & Crafts |
Teach de Faoite Craft Shop, Glasson, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 85119
The Bastion Gallery, 6 Bastion St., Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Tel. 0902 92948
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| Transport |
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Ireland