Athlone Castle
great for history-lovers. Originally built for England's King John in 1210, it was twice besieged in the 17th century The Siege of Athlone before finally being captured by the Williamites. The closing decades of the seventeenth century were among the most turbulent in this country's history. It is not surprising then to realise that the most dramatic events in the history of Athlone occurred during the Williamite and Jacobite Wars.Church of St Peter & Paul
is the symbol of Athlone. This twin towered church, built in the 1930's was recently cleaned up and looks very well.A bronze bust of Count John McCormack, Athlone native and renowned singer, is located on the promenade in Athlone. Count John McCormack was born in Athlone on June 14th 1884. His father, Andrew McCormack had been lured to Ahlone, from Galasheils in the Scottish lowlands by the prospect of employment in Athlone Woollen Mills. In time Andrew was to become a foreman in these Mills which had a world-wide reputation for the quality of the tweeds they produced. In 1903 John won the coveted gold medal in the tenor class of the Dublin Feis Ceoil. It was this victory which was to lead to a phenomenal singing career. In 1907 John made his operatic debut in Covent Gardens in Cavaleria Rusticana. He was made Count of the Papal Court in 1928 by Pope Pius Xl. Having conquered the operatic world John turned his attention to the concert stage where he was soon to become the most popular lyric tenor of his day. Apart from his rendition of popular Irish songs John McCormack was renowned for his masterful singing of German lieder He made successful concert tours of America, Australia and Europe but in Ireland the highlight of his career was his singing of Panis Angelicus at the open air mass for the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin's Phoenix Park in 1932. John's colourful career spanned almost forty years and included a brief but lucrative career in Hollywood. His earnings for the film Song O'My Heart in 1930 was estimated to be in the region of $500,000 John McCormack died in Dublin on September 16th 1945 and is buried in Deans Grange Cemetery. The bronze bust of McCormack on the promenade in Athlone, the work of the Cork sculptor Seamus Murphy, was unveiled in 1970.
architecture
The following are worth a look for those interested in architecture
Church of Ireland
located on Church St. A typical Protestant church with the unusual accompanient of a seperate tower.Dillon Shoes
on the corner of Church St and Northgate St. It has a lovely decorative red brick front. Particularly over the doorway.Methodist Church
on Northgate Street. A quaint stone structure with twin mini spires.Gainsborough House
opposite the Methodist Church. It has a neat inset window on the second floor.Allied Irish Bank
This branch at the bridge is typical of such buildings around the country save for the nice pedestrian bridge leading into it.Workhouses
on Northgate St. These were again typical of such buildings put up in Irish towns. A fine broad stone structure in good condition at least from the outside.Court Devenish House
located off Northgate St/Church St. The grounds are private but the roadside allows a clear view of this fine Jacobean House from the 17th century. Their is also the ruins of an abbey on the grounds again visible from the roadside.St Mary's Church
in St Mary's Square, just beyond Church Street, is a fine RC parish church and the best of its kind on the east side of the town.Franciscan Friary
on Friary Lane, off Church St, is a nice replica of the older style stone churches built throughout the country with the tower at the side of the church.The Old Train Station
located just beyond the barracks. This is a fine long classical stone structure.Garden Vale
located between the train/bus station and Church St. This is the best example of red/grey brick old world housing in the town. It consists of two/three storey imposing townhouses.Church of Corpus Christi
is located off Pearse Street on the west side of the river. A nice small stone parish church hidden away.Father Matthew Hall
is situated oppposite St Peter's and Paul. It is a neat brick structure which used to house the library. Sadly now derelict. It took a petition to stop local authorities from demolishing it.Pearse Street
is home to a run of buildings on the right hand side as you walk up from St Peter's and Paul. They are occupied by various state bodies and are typical of state architecture from the 1940's. They include the Post Office, Garda Station, and Social Welfare Office.