Location & Legend
In the shadow of the Hill of Uisneach where east meets west and the River Shannon meets Lough Ree, lies Ireland’s great assembly… an ancient meeting place and a beacon of myth, learning and legacy. Today, with easy access from three international airports and excellent motorway connections East and West, here is the place to gather, connect and do more business.
EASY ACCESS BY ROAD AND RAIL
Just an hour from Dublin and even less from Galway with an excellent motorway network, 29 daily rail connections and 60 bus connections on 12 regional routes.
CHOICE OF THREE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Dublin, Shannon and Ireland West Airport all within 70 minutes drive with hundreds of international connections daily.
THE MAJOR CROSSING POINT OF IRELAND’S LONGEST RIVER
Athlone owes its existence to its location on a convenient crossing point of the 360 km River Shannon where the river was easily forded. Battles and power struggles have been fought by Vikings, warlords and armies at this strategic location over the centuries.
EXPERIENCE HISTORY BROUGHT TO LIFE AT ATHLONE CASTLE
This place has been an assembly point of Irish dynasties, a stronghold of High Kings, residence of the President of Connaught and a Royal stronghold during Anglo-Norman times.
AN ASSEMBLY POINT AND THE SEAT OF THE HIGH KINGS OF IRELAND
It was here on the Hill of Uisneach and in Athlone Castle, at the Shannon’s crossing between East and West that laws were made and disputes settled.
THE BURIAL GROUND OF ERIÚ THE GODDESS OF IRELAND
It was after Eiru that Ireland was named and legend has it her resting place is here at The Hill of Uisneach.
THE ROYAL CENTRE OF IRELAND
It was here that the 5 ancient provinces of Ireland met, the 5th being ‘Mide’ the magical ‘otherworld’.
ST. PATRICK CAMPAIGNED HERE FOR A CHRISTIAN IRELAND
And in 1111AD, it was from here that Catholic Bishops carved Ireland into Dioceses.
VISIT IRELAND’S ORIGINAL UNIVERSITY
Clonmacnoise monastic settlement, Ireland’s 1st University and a beacon of learning during Europe’s dark ages.
