Athlone Castle

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Athlone Castle Experience a magnificent immersive journey through history at Athlone Castle in the heart of Ireland.

Trivia Tuesday ✨The Fall of the Athlone BridgeFor this slide, we're sharing the story of the dragoons who rushed onto th...
20/10/2026

Trivia Tuesday ✨

The Fall of the Athlone Bridge

For this slide, we're sharing the story of the dragoons who rushed onto the town bridge to delay the crossing of the Williamites to the west side of town.

During the Siege of Athlone in 1691, the Williamite army tried to reinforce the main town bridge to breach the town's western defenses. Sergeant Custume and ten dragoon volunteers rushed onto the bridge under a hail of enemy fire. Armed only with axes, picks, and crowbars, they fought to tear down the timber planks and beams laid by the advancing forces. Though all ten men were killed in the intense assault, their heroic sacrifice successfully broke the bridge, delayed the Williamite crossing, and forever cemented their place in Irish history.

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

A perfect pop of gold and purple to break up the gloomy weather. We hope our marigolds and borage bring a little brightn...
18/10/2026

A perfect pop of gold and purple to break up the gloomy weather. We hope our marigolds and borage bring a little brightness to your feed today! 🌼

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

Can anyone guess what this object in our collection is? To find out more information about our history, visit our websit...
16/10/2026

Can anyone guess what this object in our collection is?

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your meals, try making a nasturtium pesto, it brings a lovely, peppery ki...
14/10/2026

If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your meals, try making a nasturtium pesto, it brings a lovely, peppery kick to the dish 🍃

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

The Capture of KinsaleIn October 1690, the Williamite forces, under the joint command of John Churchill, Earl of Marlbor...
12/10/2026

The Capture of Kinsale

In October 1690, the Williamite forces, under the joint command of John Churchill, Earl of Marlborough, and Ferdinand Wilhelm, Duke of Wurttemberg, arrived in Kinsale and led an assault to capture the southern port, guarded by James Fort and Charles Fort. It had served as the entry point where King James II landed with French military aid, weapons, and reinforcements.

James Fort fell first following a major gunpowder explosion. Williamite forces then targeted the star-shaped Charles Fort, leading the defenders to surrender after several days of heavy bombardment.

By taking Kinsale, the Williamite forces cut off the Jacobites' primary supply line to France. With the southern coast secured, the Williamites refocused their efforts on breaking the Jacobite defensive lines along the River Shannon, setting the stage for the definitive Siege of Athlone the following year.

Photo: Pearse

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

For some of our events we get to have little archers display their talents and make archery look easy ✨To find out more ...
08/10/2026

For some of our events we get to have little archers display their talents and make archery look easy ✨

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

Does anyone know what this object in our collection is? To find out more information about our history, visit our websit...
06/10/2026

Does anyone know what this object in our collection is?

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

To continue our series sharing slides from the 1999–2008 Visitor Centre, we look at Sir Richard Bingham.In 1584 he was a...
04/10/2026

To continue our series sharing slides from the 1999–2008 Visitor Centre, we look at Sir Richard Bingham.

In 1584 he was appointed as Governor of Connacht, launching one of the most violent and cruel eras of the Tudor period in Ireland where brutal force was used to try and destroy Gaelic independence. He also saw the Castle in Athlone - more significantly, the “house” within the walls - to be his due as it had been held by his predecessors.

Bingham famously spent years trying to break the famous pirate queen Gráinne Ní Mháille, taking her son Tibbot Burke and her half-brother Dónal an Phíopa Ó Máille prisoner in Athlone Castle on charges of treason, while also seizing her lands. Burke and Ó Máille escaped along with other Gaelic nobles in a daring nighttime rescue in 1592.

He also enforced land taxes with the 1585 Composition of Connacht - lords and chieftains had to give up their traditional lordship rights and private armies in exchange for crownrecognised legal titles under English Common Law.

His cruelty also sparked rebellions which united rival clans, such as the Battle of Ardnaree (1586) or the Uprising of Western Clans (1589). It also secured his legacy as a ruthless foreign overlord, but whose mission was not successful.

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

03/10/2026

The Second Williamite Siege of Limerick occurred between August and October of 1691, during the Williamite War in Ireland.

It was the decisive conflict of the war between the forces of King William and the supporters of King James II. With the Treaty of Limerick being signed on the 3rd of October 1691, the remaining Jacobites were given the option of exile and joining the French army, known as The Flight of the Wild Geese. Meanwhile, William’s victory consolidated Protestant rule in Ireland and set the stage for further religious and political tension as other terms of the treaty were not honoured in subsequent years.

To pre-book your tickets follow the link in bio section 👆👆👆

#1691

Learn the lessons of the past and those who shaped our world ✨Photographer: Ros KavanaghTo find out more information abo...
02/10/2026

Learn the lessons of the past and those who shaped our world ✨

Photographer: Ros Kavanagh

To find out more information about our history, visit our website: www.athlonecastle.ie

Address

Athlone

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 9:30am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+353906442130

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