Athlone Castle Visitor Centre is currently creating a record of the social history of families who resided in Athlone Castle, which will form the basis of a temporary exhibition, entitled ‘Stories from Athlone Castle’, during this year’s Heritage Week in August.
Athlone Castle has been a landmark structure in the town of Athlone since the first stones were laid in 1210 and has witnessed Athlone’s evolution throughout the centuries into the bustling town it is today.
For most of the 20th century, the Castle was home to several families of soldiers serving in the nearby Custume Barracks. The stories, memories, anecdotes, and laughter shared by the many families that lived in the Castle are valuable elements of the Castle – and the town’s – history.
Athlone Castle invites members of the families who lived in the castle and members of the public to share their memories of life in the castle as part of an oral history project, which will culminate in a temporary exhibition in the Athlone Castle Visitor Centre during National Heritage Week.
“The Castle team, led by the Cultural Officer and exhibition Curator, Joanna Grobosz, is very excited about this project. We are eager to collect these important stories and living memories of life for the families who once called Athlone Castle their home, share them with a wider audience and preserve them for further generations,” Manager, Carmel Duffy, said.
This oral history project will begin in June 2023 and culminate in an exhibition as part of an extensive programme of events celebrating Heritage Week from August 12 to 20. ‘Stories from Athlone Castle’ project is supported by the Heritage Council under the IWTN Heritage Interpretation and Events Grants 2023.
If you, your family members or friends would like to share their stories of their life in Athlone Castle please email [email protected] or telephone 090 6442130 as soon as possible.
