Family Fun

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

For young or old, this is an opportunity to explore. Climb the steps to the castle keep and enjoy the view across the majestic River Shannon or climb higher still to the castle turrets and look across the rooftops of the whole town. Then take a step back in history.

Just 5 miles from Athlone, the whole family can get a whole lot closer to nature. There are all sorts of animals from the familiar to the exotic. See the deer, pot bellied pigs, goats, donkeys, sheep and cows.

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.

Get on board for a bit of bearded wonder as Viking Mike sets course for history, beauty and myth filled magic. Sail north up to Lough Ree, the Lake of the Kings, or south down along the River Shannon to Clonmacnoise, the most famous monastic site in Ireland.

No trip to the midlands is complete without a visit to the Derryglad Folk Museum. The collection showcases Farm & Folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past. See all sorts of artefacts from a time gone by, from horse-drawn machinery restored to the original working order to a 1930's old-style thatched bar & grocery. It's a step back in time and a picture of bygone days.

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.

Explore Birr Castle Demense and Garden along Ireland’s Ancient East. Birr Castle Demesne, Ireland’s Historic Science Centre and the extensive gardens at Birr Castle offers a combination of fun, relaxation and discovery to all who visit. Starting with Ireland’s Historic Science Centre in the old stable block, with its café and shop you can then explore 50 hectares of park land. Visit the magnificent formal gardens and terraces and discover Birr’s world famous engineering and astronomical wonder – the Great Telescope, known as the Leviathan. Birr Castle Demesne of Discovery offers something for everyone to enjoy and is especially interesting and educational for families.

Part of Ireland’s Ancient East and just 40 minute from Athlone, Belvedere House Gardens and Park is a magnificent parkland estate on the shores of Lough Ennel, comprises 160 acres of parkland with six kilometres of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks, including the Narnia Trail. The house, built originally as a hunting and fishing lodge, was designed by the renowned German architect Richard Castle for Robert Rochfort, later the First Earl of Belvedere. A fascinating walled garden, designed by Ninian Nevin in 1857, contains one of Ireland’s finest collections of rare and special plants. The stable block is home to a modern visitor centre with fully licensed cafe. Adjacent to the visitor centre are two children’s play areas, with another at lakeshore along with a zip-line. Belvedere is open year round with a full calendar of events.

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.