OUR EXHIBITIONS

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Travel back in time and discover the rich history of this important stronghold.

Athlone Castle, like so many others, has evolved greatly over the centuries. From its meagre beginnings into a bold, defensive, and important structure, the castle has witnessed many historical milestones. Despite much of the original structure being destroyed by warring armies and natural disasters, visitors can still see the remains of the 13th Century walls that were incorporated into the existing building.

Athlone Castle Visitor Centre invites visitors to travel back in time following a series of eight modern exhibition spaces where the story of Athlone and the castle is discovered through panels, interactives, authentic and replica artefacts, touchable objects and games.

Discover the Castle’s importance, its destruction and its revival and marvel at the fascinating stories of bravery and sacrifice, fierce battles and territories won and lost.

Some young students marvel at a stone slab from Early Christian times and a bronze shield from the Bronze age located in our Early History exhibition at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
EARLY SETTLEMENT

Unearth Athlone’s earliest society and discover its intriguing story.

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Three children taking in the illustrations of Athlone Castle development through Medieval times right up to the Anglo Norman era in our First 400 Years exhibition at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
ATHLONE CASTLE’S FIRST 400 YEARS

Delve into the Medieval period at Athlone Castle and interact with history.

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A group of visitors listening to a presentation on the flintlock pistol which is on display in our Athlone Besieged exhibition at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
ATHLONE BESIEGED

Follow the story of Athlone during this warring period.

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A group of people experiencing the Siege 360 exhibition at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre. Surrounded by projections of images and re-enactments from the Great Siege of Athlone in 1691.
THE SIEGE EXPERIENCE

Witness the dramatic reenactment of the Siege in a 360° visual experience.

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A family takes selfies with historical figures at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre
PEOPLE OF THE SIEGE

Come face to face with the past and meet the people from the siege.

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people looking at old uniforms
FABRIC OF ATHLONE

Learn about Athlone’s restoration and regeneration.

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A black and white photo of Athlone’s son and world-famous tenor John Count McCormack at our John McCormack exhibition in Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
JOHN MCCORMACK

Listen to one of Ireland’s greatest tenors and learn about Athlone’s most famous son.

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A visitor takes a closer look at a unique glass bottle in the museum’s collection
SELF SUFFICIENT PEOPLE

Browse a selection of objects connected to Athlone’s old trades, crafts and lifestyles.

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Take some time to reflect on just how brutal the Siege of Athlone was in our Death and Destruction exhibition. See the curled up sculptor figures and listen to the scene that was left behind.
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

Reflect on the horrors of this deadly period of battles and war.

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