As part of this year’s Heritage Week, which starts tomorrow (Saturday August 23 ) Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will offer guided tours of castle walls as well as a temporary exhibition, all free to the public.
‘Athlone Our Home’ is a temporary exhibition that explores the history of the town through a selection of ordinary objects with extraordinary stories. These items have been loaned for the exhibition by Athlone people who also shared their amazing stories. The exhibition will be on display from Saturday August 23 until Sunday August 31. From cannon balls discovered on Talbot Avenue to a photograph, which on a daily basis stands on a fireplace only to ‘hide’ an amazing story of a family who once lived in Athlone Castle. All these and many more items with their special stories will be on display throughout the week with free admission.
There will be also a unique opportunity to learn about the impressive fortifications at Athlone Castle through guided tours. The hour long mini expedition will make its way around the defences taking in the impressive feats of engineering.
Mary Bannon from Athlone Castle Visitor Centre said: “During the tour visitors first find out why and how the first stone castle was constructed here at Athlone. The guides also explain the town’s importance in connecting with Rindoon and Roscommon to create a powerful triangle of Norman influence in the west back in the days, talk about the siege and many more quirky and interesting facts. It is definitely a very pleasant way to learn even more about Athlone Castle. We can’t promise good weather but if it rains all you need is an umbrella!”
The tours are free of charge and anyone can join on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 2-3pm.
Visitors are also encouraged to ‘storm the castle’ on Wednesday as there will be free admission to Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.
