Getting Here
Whether you are travelling by road, rail or river let us help you plan your visit.
Athlone is at the Centre of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Its central location in Ireland, on the banks of the River Shannon have made it a strategic location for over 5,000 years. Today it remains a busy transportation hub with Motorway, Rail, an off-road Greenway and River Shannon Cruisers bringing visitors from far and wide.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO ATHLONE
Athlone is on the M6 motorway which runs (together with the M4) from Dublin to Galway.
Athlone is only 1 hour and 20 minutes’ drive from Dublin airport, and Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way is just an hour away.
Visitors travelling via the M6 can take Exit 11, the most direct route, for the town centre, and continue toward Northgate Street, take a right at the traffic lights and cross the bridge of Athlone, you can’t miss the Castle. If driving from Dublin, take Exit 8 and follow signs for the town centre, continuing on Dublin Road and continuing straight. Cross the bridge and you will see the Castle on your left.
All route directions can be accessed using Google Map
GET DIRECTIONS
By Train
The town is serviced by an excellent rail line that connects Dublin to Galway and Westport.
The train station is on the north side of the town centre on Southern Station Rd., located about 1 km (0.6 miles) from Athlone Castle within easy walking distance. A taxi rank and Athlone town service bus stop (A1 or A2 bus towards Bealnamulla) are located at the train station.
For train times, visit the Irish Rail website.
By Bus
The Bus Éireann station is located beside the train station.
The bus station is on the north side of the town centre on Southern Station Rd., located about 1 km (0.6 miles) from Athlone Castle within easy walking distance. A taxi rank and Athlone town service bus stop (A1 or A2 bus towards Bealnamulla) are located beside the bus station.
Timetables and fares can be found on the Bus Éireann website.
Visitors coming from Dublin or Galway can also opt to travel on Citylink, which stops at Arcadia Crescent (beside B&Q). Athlone town service A2 bus (towards Bealnamulla) from Arcadia Crescent stops directly beside the Castle.
Timetables and fares can be found on the Citylink website.
By Boat
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre is located on the West bank of the River Shannon (the longest river in Ireland), on the east bank of the River Shannon in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel you will find the town Marina.
Moorings can be booked through +353 90 6478687
Discover more about boating on the River Shannon and Lough Ree.
The Old Rail Trail Greenway
The Old Rail Trail is an off-road Greenway for cycling and walking. The 46kms of pathway follows the old rail track under arched bridges, through a tunnel and past beautiful countryside all the way from Mullingar to Athlone.
Discover more about the Old Rail Trail Greenway.
