Education & Outreach

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Interact, engage and learn the history of Athlone Castle from the comfort of your home with
our online resources and fun activities.

SCHOOL

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Young school students enjoying a chance to get hands on with some of the old artefacts in our on- site handling collection at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.

Make learning fun! Our selection of downloadable worksheets can be completed on-site or in the classroom after your visit to Athlone Castle Visiting Centre.

Primary Schools

Have fun while learning about the Great Siege of Athlone and the bravery of many soldiers. Draw, colour and get those thinking caps on.

Secondary Schools

Learn, engage, explore and discover all about Athlone’s past. Meet some of Athlone’s heroes, get creative and try your hand at becoming a local newspaper reporter.

Language Schools

Learn as you explore- take part in our on- site castle quest! Can you find all the answers hidden within our exhibition?

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us

STORIES FROM THE CASTLE

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Discover the stories from Athlone Castle and our town from the comfort of your home with our videos and podcasts. We havea selection of mini virtual tours of our collection highlights, archaeological dig and even a ghost story!

  • ‘How Hugh destroyed Athlone Castle Halloween 2021’
    Did you know that on the night of October 27th 1697 Athlone Castle was destroyed by lightning? Or so everyone thought… Today we will finally learn the truth of those tragic events. Listen to Sergeant Hugh Griffits, as he recalls what really happened that night. This spooky story is suitable for children over 6 years of age but can also be enjoyed by the whole family.
  • ‘What did the Irish eat before potatoes’
    Learn about the type of food eaten in the Middle Ages by the inhabitants of the castle and townspeople of Athlone from Viscountess Susannah of York. Try out the tasty Medieval recipes in your own home
  • ‘Walled town of Athlone’
    Enjoy this bite-size history of the Athlone town walls – yes, Athlone is one of a number of historic walled towns. The town of Athlone is located on either side of the River Shannon and was originally built on an important fording point, hence the Irish name ÁthLúain, meaning Luan’s Ford. The earliest evidence for a town wall at Athlone comes from 11th century.
  • ‘Gilbert, the Ghost of Athlone Castle’
    Listen to the story of our very own ghost who protects Athlone Castle to this day! Written by Athlone Castle’s Cultural Officer, Joanna Grobosz and performed by the Castle’s Team, this story reimagines the events of 1210, when the original tower collapsed. With a Wicked Warlock, explosion and unexpected hero, it is a tale that will put a spell over the whole family.
  • ‘Dig it with David’
    In a fun and educational, step by step video tutorial, Athlone Castle’s Cultural Assistant and resident Archaeologist, David Landers, will showcase the different stages that take place during an excavation and how this can easily be done at home in the back garden (with a parent’s permission and supervision).

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us

Athlone Castle team member David giving a demonstration on how an archaeological dig is executed. Here he is using a sand box full of sand and some tools such as a paintbrush to dig into the sand and see what he can discover.
Athlone Castle team member David giving a demonstration on how an archaeological dig is executed. Here he is using a sand box full of sand and some tools such as a paintbrush to dig into the sand and see what he can discover.

Discover the stories from Athlone Castle and our town from the comfort of your home with our videos and podcasts. We havea selection of mini virtual tours of our collection highlights, archaeological dig and even a ghost story!

  • ‘How Hugh destroyed Athlone Castle Halloween 2021’
    Did you know that on the night of October 27th 1697 Athlone Castle was destroyed by lightning? Or so everyone thought… Today we will finally learn the truth of those tragic events. Listen to Sergeant Hugh Griffits, as he recalls what really happened that night. This spooky story is suitable for children over 6 years of age but can also be enjoyed by the whole family.
  • ‘What did the Irish eat before potatoes’
    Learn about the type of food eaten in the Middle Ages by the inhabitants of the castle and townspeople of Athlone from Viscountess Susannah of York. Try out the tasty Medieval recipes in your own home
  • ‘Walled town of Athlone’
    Enjoy this bite-size history of the Athlone town walls – yes, Athlone is one of a number of historic walled towns. The town of Athlone is located on either side of the River Shannon and was originally built on an important fording point, hence the Irish name ÁthLúain, meaning Luan’s Ford. The earliest evidence for a town wall at Athlone comes from 11th century.
  • ‘Gilbert, the Ghost of Athlone Castle’
    Listen to the story of our very own ghost who protects Athlone Castle to this day! Written by Athlone Castle’s Cultural Officer, Joanna Grobosz and performed by the Castle’s Team, this story reimagines the events of 1210, when the original tower collapsed. With a Wicked Warlock, explosion and unexpected hero, it is a tale that will put a spell over the whole family.
  • ‘Dig it with David’
    In a fun and educational, step by step video tutorial, Athlone Castle’s Cultural Assistant and resident Archaeologist, David Landers, will showcase the different stages that take place during an excavation and how this can easily be done at home in the back garden (with a parent’s permission and supervision).

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us

FAMILY FUN

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Animated castle characters enjoying the views on the upper battlements at Athlone Castle

These fun and easy activity sheets, prepared especially for the youngest of our visitors, are a great introduction to the history of Athlone.

Little historians can discover the stories of Athlone’s past with the help of those printable fact sheets.

Explore Athlone Castle’s collection one object at the time. Learn more about some of our favourite objects

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us

GET CRAFTY

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Indulge your creative site with or step by step tutorials inspired by the rich history of Athlone Castle.

  • ‘Viking Attack!’
    Make your own walking Viking in 5 easy steps.
  • ‘Fire-breathing Dragon’
    Fun and easy to make, this fire-breathing Dragon is a perfect craft for any budding artist.
  • ‘Suit of Armour’ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
    Just what every Knight needs! This 4-part tutorial will make you ready to battle the imaginary dragons!
  • ‘Make a Cannon’
    History, crafts and laws of physics’ combine in this special tutorial on how to create a miniature cannon.

We would love you to share a photo of your creations with us:

[email protected]

AthloneCastle

@athlonecastle

@Athlone AT

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us

Animated castle Williamite solider ready to fire the cardboard cannon at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre. The cannonballs sit piled up next to the cannon ready to fire.
Animated castle Williamite solider ready to fire the cardboard cannon at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre. The cannonballs sit piled up next to the cannon ready to fire.

Indulge your creative site with or step by step tutorials inspired by the rich history of Athlone Castle.

  • ‘Viking Attack!’
    Make your own walking Viking in 5 easy steps.
  • ‘Fire-breathing Dragon’
    Fun and easy to make, this fire-breathing Dragon is a perfect craft for any budding artist.
  • ‘Suit of Armour’ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
    Just what every Knight needs! This 4-part tutorial will make you ready to battle the imaginary dragons!
  • ‘Make a Cannon’
    History, crafts and laws of physics’ combine in this special tutorial on how to create a miniature cannon.

We would love you to share a photo of your creations with us:

[email protected]

AthloneCastle

@athlonecastle

@Athlone AT

For more information on our Educational Programme, contact us