Active & Outdoor

Looking for something fun to do as we head into the summer months? Why not enjoy the scenic landmarks of Athlone as well as its beautiful history with Athlone Guided Tours. Taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11.30am, Athlone Guided Tours are an eco-friendly, Covid compliant walking tour suitable for visitors and locals alike

Just 10 minutes from Athlone in Moate, you find Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, a wonderful get away that’s full of natural beauty. With a series of paths, a wetland reserve, parklands and a children’s playground, it’s a fabulous place to get out for a stroll. You’ll see lots of birdlife, native trees and planting. There’s also a tourlough that’s bursting with life.

All year round the new Athlone to Mullingar Greenway is the perfect way to get out with the kids and enjoy the fresh air. Bring your own bikes or hire them where the trail begins in Garrycastle. The route follows the old railway line for over 40kms all the way to Mullingar and because it’s for bikes and pedestrians only, it couldn’t be safer. Plus there are no hills so it’s easy on little legs too. There are entry and exit points every few kilometres so there are plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. The whole family will love Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park just outside Moate. With beautiful grounds, stone ring forts, fantastic sculptures, a brilliant playground and a fab café for mum and dad, it’s sure to be a hit. After that, there are old station platforms, towering bridges, beautiful countryside and even an deep rail tunnel. Whether you choose to just do a small section or to use Athlone as your base and do it all over a few days, the Old Rail Trail is a cycling route where you can let go and really enjoy.

On the shores of the majestic Lough Ree, a fresh water adventure centre awaits. As well as sailing, kayaking, pier jumping and even Chinese dragon boating there’s one unique must do experience your kids will love, Baysports is also home to the tallest floating slide in the world, awarded by Guinness World Records.

With fairways that taper to the waters edge, Athlone Golf Club is one of the most picturesque golf courses in Ireland. For enthusiasts or friends searching for fun in the fresh air, it’s the perfect place to play. With all sand based greens and tees to a USGA standard, the course is a delight to play all year round. All the gear you need is available for hire on site and guests are always welcome.

With a 6-lane 200-metre indoor running track, a sprint track, jump pits, pole vault area, shot putt area and much more, the AIT International Area is the best athletics facility in the country. Showcasing national events throughout the year, it’s a must see for any enthusiast.

Ideally situated in a quiet country setting yet only three miles from Athlone town, Athlone Equestrian Centre prides itself in providing a safe and fun learning experience to both adults and kids. Expert tuition is available and riders of all level are welcome.

On the shore of Lough Ree, you’ll discover a golfing gem. Designed by the legendary Christy O’Connor Jnr, Glasson Golf Course is a treat for every golfer to enjoy, from the scratch player to the total beginner. Whether you want to tee off for a relaxing round or test yourself at championship level, what better place to set a challenge among friends.

A state of the art health, sports & fitness facilities including a 25m heated indoor swimming pool, a toddler's pool, separate family changing areas, jacuzzi, sauna and steam-rooms, a fitness auite, an aerobics studio, astro-turf pitch, sports hall, children's outdoor playground and the recently developed outdoor skate park. The centre also has a coffee shop, crèche service and meeting rooms.

This is a place for where you’ll want to pack a picnic and spend the day. Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, angling or bird watching, Lough Boora Parklands has something for you. Featuring walking and biking trails that stretch from 3km to 16km, you enjoy an abundance of wild flowers and wild life along the way.

On the western shores of Lough Ree you’ll discover an unexpected historical gem. On St. John’s Point peninsula lies the abandoned medieval town of Rindoon. With its town wall, castle, medieval hospital, church and mill there is nothing that compares to it anywhere in Ireland or the UK. Built in the first half of the 13th century and abandoned a few hundred years later, the site has remained largely untouched.

Before dinner, with the sun on your back and water lapping at your side, take a stroll along the Shannon Banks Walk. It begins in the shadow of Athlone Castle and leads you along a nature trail that’s bursting with a diversity of wildlife. Stretching along a five-kilometre loop, you’ll pass lawns, grassy verges and parklands. You’ll walk under Sycamore, Norway Maple, Red Oak and proud Horse Chestnut trees.