An archaeological find alluding to the possible remains of the town’s 17th century defence walls has been unearthed as Westmeath County Council and the Office of Public Works progress the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme on The Strand at the River Shannon.
Athlone was a strategically important crossing point on the River Shannon and was first walled in 1251. These walls were repaired and rebuilt in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when Athlone became the base of the English government for Connaught. Both the west and east parts of Athlone were walled, with the eastern walled area enclosing 14 acres.
Substantial additions were made in the middle of the seventeenth century, including bastions. Further modifications to the town defences were made at the end of the seventeenth century. Athlone’s defensive walls and its castle played a significant part in the Siege of Athlone in June 1691 as the forces of King William attacked the Irish Jacobite defenders across the River Shannon.
Part of these town defences included a bastion which projected into the River Shannon on what is now The Strand. The remains of this bastion appear to have been substantially demolished for the Shannon Navigation works in the 1840s, when The Strand was created as a street along the east bank of the River Shannon.
Now, construction works for the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme have uncovered the remains of walls that may have been part of this bastion. Further archaeological assessments will be carried out on The Strand under Ministerial Consent to determine this and in the interim Westmeath County Council in conjunction with the OPW are reopening The Strand between its junction with Griffith Street and Friary Lane for pedestrian use only.
Defences of a different kind uncovered at The Strand - O’Rourke
Noting the significant archaeological find, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath County Council, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, stated that the unearthing of such remains reveals further information pertaining to the history of Athlone.
“As the Office of Public Works (OPW ) progress the work along the eastern banks of the River Shannon, in The Strand area, yet another fascinating archaeological find is uncovered. This find, along with the 1840’s slipway found last year, also on The Strand, tells us more and more about the history of our town.
“Given the historical infrastructural gems that are hidden just below the surface of the street in the Strand area, the OPW must progress with caution as they undertake any excavation work. All of their excavation work is supervised by an on-site archaeologist to ensure nothing is overlooked or lost in terms of what lies below.
“The find last week was not the first find of interest along this area. Last year an old slipway dating back to the 1840s used during the Shannon Navigation work was unearthed and work was halted to record, photograph and examine this find. Now, this latest find seems to be the remains of the town’s seventeenth-century wall, defences of a very different kind!
“Since the 13th century, Athlone was a walled town, both on the west and east sides of the town, with the eastern walled area enclosing up to 14 acres of land. Further archaeological assessments will be carried out on The Strand under Ministerial Consent to determine this find and any others that might be encountered going forward.
“In the interim, Westmeath County Council, in conjunction with the OPW are reopening The Strand between its junction with Griffith Street and Friary Lane for pedestrian use only,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
The Cathaoirleach acknowledged, that while the flood alleviation works are taking time to complete, it is expected that they will reach completion in early 2023.
“These flood alleviation works along The Strand are essential if we are to defend the town from future extreme weather events and a rising river. While it is fair to say that the works have been painstakingly slow and have been the source of much frustration for locals, businesses and boat users over recent years, the scheme is nearing completion and by early 2023, almost all of the heavy civil construction will reach a conclusion.
“I want to thank the local residents and businesses in all of the areas where flood defence works are underway in Athlone for their patience and co-operation, it most certainly has not been easy at times and I wish to acknowledge this realisation,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
