The Historical Garden at Athlone Castle is like stepping back in time, featuring plants that would have grown in castle gardens during the Middle Ages. Medieval gardens were full of herbs, flowers, fruit trees, and bushes. Many of these plants were edible or used in cooking, while others had medicinal purposes or were used for making dyes and inks. This variety shows how military castles, like Athlone Castle, were largely self-sufficient.
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will once again deliver an exciting programme of events during National Heritage Week from Saturday, August 17th, to Sunday, August 25th, 2024, designed to cater to all ages.
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will once again deliver an exciting and engaging programme of events during National Heritage Week 2022 in collaboration with a broad selection of specialist heritage experts, facilitators, artisans and historians and supported by the Heritage Council under the Irish Walled Towns Network 2022 Interpretation Fund.
Athlone Castle in association with Creative Ireland and Westmeath County Council, will host a programme of free events for this year’s National Cruinniú na nÓg celebrations on Saturday 11th of June.
Athlone Castle is delighted to celebrate the Easter holiday with an exciting and fun filled onsite family event taking place on Easter Saturday 16th April supported by Westmeath County Council and Creative Ireland.
Monday 28th February 2022 at 11am marks the Centenary of the handover of Custume Barracks by the Irish National Army following the War of Independence. The occasion will be marked by a military parade from Burgess Park across the Town Bridge through the gates of the Barracks, the event will include a flag raising ceremony in Athlone Castle.
An Athlone native recalls his memories of Christmas time growing up in Athlone.
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will be closed from Thursday 23rd December to Tuesday 28th December inclusive. We will reopen to the public on Wednesday 29th December at 10.30am. We will also be closed on New Years Day, 1st January 2022. Our normal opening hours will resume from Sunday 2nd January 2022.
This year, we are inviting young and old alike to celebrate the holiday period with the castle’s resident troublemakers Olaf the Viking and Hugh the Williamite. What can go wrong when those lovable rouges try to organise the perfect Christmas?
Athlone Castle, Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios will once again open their doors to welcome those interested in exploring arts and heritage sites this Culture Night which takes place on Friday 17th of September.
