Testimonials:

“My friend and myself had to go to Athlone to do a delivery. Once we were done,we decided we’d go and see some of Athlone. We decided we go see the castle as castles are my thing. The staff are so very welcoming and very knowledgeable about all aspects of the castle throughout its history. It’s a fun place to visit. You, and if you have kids with you can dress up as a lords or a lady’s of the castle and sit on a throne with a crown and take pictures. There’s lots to see and learn there. I’d highly recommend a visit if passing. Or go to their website to learn more.’’

“If you’re interested in the history of Athlone, specifically the Siege of Athlone in 1690-1691 then it is a must-see. Tickets can be purchased online or in the visitors centre and then there are eight different “rooms” with different exhibits and activities. They have interactive games and dress-up areas that would make it a great outing with kids (although I enjoyed a lot of the games myself!). If you’re really interested in the history and plan on reading every plaque give yourself a couple hours to spend here. The exterior of the castle is open to visitors as well, and is a great place to get pictures of the surrounding town.’’

1819: “Within a few years last past, the original castle or citadel has been repaired in a more modern style of fortification and the whole town strengthened by several batteries of field works, all manned and mounted with various guns of different calibres.’’

1697: “There broke out continuous lightning; just above the castle, in the twinkling of an eye, fell; a great body of fire and blew up the grenades, and the match in fire following. The whole town is utterly destroyed.’’

1537: “The King’s castle of Athlone is obtained unto his possession from the usurpation of Irishmen who have kept the same from him these many years’’

“Many dead bodies lay half-buried under the rubbish, more under faggots and many not to be seen under the river, whereby the stink is insufferable.’

“Before the advent of TV, the main entertainment was ring boards and darts. Customers played cards of course – 25s – and in the run-up to Christmas they’d play for live turkeys and geese – put up by the publican. People brought porter home in cider bottles, or beer bottles wrapped in newspapers. We did our own bottling in the past. A lot of pubs do food now, but in general I’d say the trade is back where it was fifty years ago – most of our business is done at weekends.’’

“In my early days in the trade in the early 1960s carpenters engaged in making door-frames and hanging doors depended on such basic tools as a hammer and chisel to cut the grooves for hinges and for fitting locks, and on a bit-and-brace to drill the holes for the screws. This work was all done on site. Today the work can be fully and efficiently done in the workshop using a computer controlled-controlled router.’’

“My mother used to bake her own soda-bread six days a week. It was cooked in the range, but her mother used to cook it in a pot-oven. On a Saturday my mother cooked double rations because she wouldn’t bake on a Sunday. There was nothing like the smell of the freshly cooked bread…with six children the bread never lasted too long in our house I can tell you…’’

“I hear you calling me / Though years have stretched / Their weary lengths between / And on your grave / The mossy grass green / I stand / Do you behold me listening here / Hearing your voice / Through all the years between.’’