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Cruising:

The mid-point of the river Shannon system and only 2 hours from Dublin or Shannon Airports, Athlone is the ideal starting point for a Shannon Cruise. Three cruiser companies offer modern craft, with diesel engines, showers, central heating, etc. Waveline Cruisers, Killinure Point, Glasson, Athlone;
S.G.S. Marine Ltd. Ballykeeran, Athlone; and Athlone Cruisers Ltd. Jolly Mariner Marina.

Golf:

The Athlone Golf Club, in an idyllic setting at Hodson Bay on the shores of Lough Rea, is just 3 miles from Athlone and has magnificent views of the lake.  This testing 18 hole course has a modern clubhouse, resident professional, catering facilities etc. and visitors are very welcome. Glasson Golf Club is also one to consider and is set on a peninsula bordering Lough Ree. East of Athlone just 10 miles out the Dublin Road is Mount Temple Golf Club in Moate, another 18 hole course.

Theatre:

The Dean Crowe Hall is the venue for the Athlone Musical Society's Productions, The John Player Tops of the Towns, the All Ireland Drama festival, and many other productions during the year, including visits by the Irish National Ballet. Athlone Little Theatre has its own theatre and puts on seasons of drama at regular intervals.

Goldsmith Country: 

The poet was born in Pallas near Ballymahon (14 miles from Athlone). He is commemorated by a statue and a memorial Window in nearby Forgney Church. He went to school in Auburn (9 miles from Athlone) and his poem "Sweet Auburn of the Vale" is from this area. Also in the area are the ruined rectory, the church, the site of the "Busy Mill" and the Hawthorn Bush.

Clonmacnoise: 

Situated just 12½ miles from Athlone are the fascinating ruins of the Monastic University City of Clonmacnoise founded by St. Ciaran in 548 A.D. and a must for all visitors to the area. It has a unique atmosphere and one can readily imagine the ghosts of long-dead monks flitting by in the twilight. Pope John Paul 11 stopped here and prayed during his visit to Ireland in 1979.

There is no public transport system to Clonmacnoise so for help to travel there you can contact:- Paddy Kavanagh in Athlone
by e-mail. He has daily mini-bus tours and will help arrange transport for you or your party.

Clonfert: 

Another fine monastic heritage site is in Clonfert Co. Galway and located about 20 miles south of Athlone. Here you will find the beautiful little 12th. century cathedral built on the monastic site founded by Saint Brendan the Navigator. At one time this location was the learning centre of Ireland and in Elizabethan times was earmarked as the loaction for the now world famous
Trinity College.

Heritage Sites: 

Athlone Castle resting on the bridge over the river Shannon dominates the western entrance to Athlone town. Not far from Athlone in County Offaly is Birr Castle Demesne built in the mid 1600's.