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ATHLONE CASTLE
Caisleán Ath Luain, the Castle at the Ford of
Luan
Athlone, County Westmeath
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Athlone gets its name from the Irish Caisleán Ath Luain,
which means the Castle at the Ford of Luan.
Historical records tell that in 1001/1002 High King Brian
Boru sailed with his army up the River Shannon from his
home at Kincora on Lough Derg to Athlone. He met with
Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (Turlough O'Connor),
King of Connaught, a sept of the Uí Néill kingdom. At
this meeting, Turlough finally acknowledged Brian Boru
as High King of all Ireland. This was an important turn
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in Irish history, as the Uí Néill's were the assumed
High Kings of Ireland since they controlled all of the
northern half of the island. Until now, there had never
been a High King from southern regions. This was the only
time in all of Ireland's history when the whole of Ireland
was controlled by a single leader.
In 1129, King Turlough O'Connor built a timber fortress
at the meeting of the River Shannon and Lough Ree. He
realized this position was of strategic importance. This
site was at the heart of Ireland and the epicenter of
the land and water trading routes. Ciarán's monastery,
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had been located nearby on the Shannon since the 6th century,
already having established the region as the ideal place
to base in order to convert heathens to Christianity,
as there was already a trading post in the region.
When King John of England was in Ireland, he ordered
the building of many fortresses in Ireland, including
in Limerick City. In King John's absence,
Bishop of Norwich oversaw the construction of the stone
keep and bridge in Athlone, which were completed in 1210.
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Athlone Castle, also known as Adamson's Castle, is by
far the most unusual in Ireland. At the center of the
fortress is a 12-sided keep, which was used as the armory.
During the Siege of Athlone, also known as the Williamite
War, in 1690 much of the area around the keep was destroyed.
The current surrounding walls were built after that time.
This became the most secure defensive keep in the region.
A wide, semi-circular stairs goes up the side of the
armory to an upper level of the fort. Here, several large
hearths still exist along the inner walls. These fires
were not meant for warmth, but rather to repair weapons
in war times.
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The Armory
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Visitors can refer to an artists rendering at the viewing
point overlooking the river of the layout of Athlone to
see where other military buildings were located around
the town and river.
The Athlone Tourist Office is located within Athlone
Castle.
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~ Pay attraction
~ Parking available
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Access on lower levels and tourist office, some stairs
to upper levels
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