The old castle keep in the courtyard beautifully lit up on a dark evening at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.

Temporary Closure of Athlone Castle Visitor Centre for Redevelopment Works

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Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will close to the public from Sunday 19 October 2025, to allow for redevelopment works. The project will focus on revitalising Athlone Castle to provide a more enhanced visitor experience. Works will include significant upgrades to ageing utilities and mechanical systems, a reconfiguration of visitor centre layout and interpretation, and enhancements to the courtyard, reception and retail areas. The anticipated reopening is Autumn 2026, although this date is subject to confirmation.

Athlone Castle Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2024-2025

Athlone Castle Seasonal Closures Christmas and New Year 2024-2025

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Athlone Castle Visitor Centre and grounds will be closed from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th December inclusive, and will re-open on Saturday 28th December and Sunday 29th December 2024. Athlone Castle Visitor Centre and grounds will be closed on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st December 2024, and will be open on New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1st January 2025. Normal Opening Hours resume from Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Historical Garden Exhibition at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre as part of Heritage Week 2024

Athlone Castle’s Historical Garden Exhibition

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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.