Athlone Castle

Happy Birthday to Athlone’s own John Count McCormack!

Born in 1884 in The Bawn, he rose from humble beginnings to become a world-famous tenor, performing across the globe while always staying proud of his Athlone roots. A star of early “talkie” films, a Papal Count, and a contemporary of Dame Nellie Melba, his legacy is unforgettable.

Athlone still celebrates him today, from the bust beside Luan Gallery to his statue outside the Civic Centre, and the dedicated exhibition in Athlone Castle Visitor Centre.

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

Only one week left until our Threads of Place: Plein Air Drawing Event at Abbey Road Graveyard.

📅 Saturday 20th June
🕘 10am - 4pm
📍 Abbey Road Graveyard, Athlone
🎟️ €30 | Adults only | Booking required (not available for groups of 5+)
🔗 For full details and to book visit www.athlonecastle.ie/events

This plein air drawing event, facilitated by artists Hilary Kinahan and Andrea Cullen brings together artists and enthusiasts to engage with one of Athlone's most historically significant sites through drawing and observation.

Following a short talk on the history and legacy of Abbey Road’s historical sites by local historian Gearoid O’Brien, participants will have the opportunity to respond to the architecture, landscape, and layered histories of the area through drawing.

This workshop is part of Threads of Place, a creative collaboration between Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios.
The project will culminate in a public group exhibition of artworks created during the programme, hosted in the upstairs Community Space at Abbey Road Artists’ Studios and Luan Gallery Boardwalk Gallery.

Threads of Place is supported by Westmeath Arts Office and Creative Ireland 2026 Community Grant.

Westmeath County Council Westmeath Arts CreativeIrl .cullen .designhouse

With the arrival of the Anglo-Normans into Ireland in 1169 brought some innovations into the country, like the Anglo-Norman helmet with conical nasal helm.

These helmets feature a conical dome and a forward metal nose guard; it was worn over chainmail to protect the head while maintaining visibility and breathability for mounted knights. The conical shape of the helmet meant that if a sword was swung at the head, it would slide off due to the helmet's shape.

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

Step into Athlone’s rich history and explore it through drawing at our Threads of Place: Plein Air Drawing Event at Abbey Road Graveyard.

📅 Saturday 20th June
🕘 10am - 4pm
📍 Abbey Road Graveyard, Athlone
🎟️ €30 | Adults only | Booking required (not available for groups of 5+)
🔗 For full details and to book, https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/athlonecastle/items/713039/?full-items=yes&flow=1549567

This plein air drawing event, facilitated by artists Hilary Kinahan and Andrea Cullen brings together artists and enthusiasts to engage with one of Athlone's most historically significant sites through drawing and observation.

Following a short talk on the history and legacy of Abbey Road’s historical sites by local historian Gearoid O’Brien, participants will have the opportunity to respond to the architecture, landscape, and layered histories of the area through drawing.

This workshop is part of Threads of Place, a creative collaboration between Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios.

The project will culminate in a public group exhibition of artworks created during the programme, hosted in the upstairs Community Space at Abbey Road Artists’ Studios and Luan Gallery Boardwalk Gallery.

Threads of Place is supported by Westmeath Arts Office and Creative Ireland 2026 Community Grant.

Westmeath County Council Westmeath Arts Creative Ireland

Home - Luan Gallery Luan Gallery presents inspiring contemporary art exhibitions and events. We are a welcoming, accessible space, located on the banks of the River Shannon in Athlone’s cultural quarter, connecting people through visual art, ideas and shared creative experiences.

Time to weigh in on our latest artefact!

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

Here we have a lovely picture of our friend from Irish Fibre Crafters showing visitors how to do traditional spinning, dyeing, and weaving.

We can't wait to host our famous Storm the Castle day when we reopen!

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

The adventure continues ✨🐟

Our friends Hugh and Olaf went from Puy du Fou in France to Rosslare last weekend, and while they were in the neighbourhood they took a trip to SigginstownCastle to see our friends in the SCA. Looks like they had a blast!

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

SigginstownCastle

Throwback Thursday ✨

Abbey Road in Athlone takes its name from the historic Franciscan abbey and adjoining Abbey Graveyard. The Franciscans have been part of Athlone’s story since the 13th century, enduring wars, exile, and rebuilding through centuries of Irish history.

During the late 1600s, a new friary and church were being constructed on Abbey Road before the Williamite sieges of Athlone brought progress to a halt. Following further exile under the Banishment Act of 1697, the Franciscans eventually established a new church nearby in the early 1800s.

The Abbey Graveyard remained Athlone’s principal burial ground until the 1870s. Today, Abbey Road stands as a lasting reminder of Athlone’s rich religious and cultural heritage.

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

Here we have this lovely close-up of a ram's head pipe bowl from our 19th-century collection of clay pipes, made in Knockcroghery.

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

Thanks to everyone who attended the opening of Garden to Gallery at Luan Gallery on Thursday October 2nd.

We are delighted to announce Garden to Gallery, a vibrant new exhibition that brings visual art, nature and heritage together in a celebration of community collaboration and creativity. This exhibition is on display until Sunday October 12th in the Boardwalk Gallery space at Luan Gallery.

The Garden to Gallery exhibition showcases work created by members of the public, participants from the local community group Active Age, and service users of St Hilda’s Services, who took part in a series of visual arts workshops held across May, June, and July 2025.

Beginning with a guided tour of the Historical Garden at Athlone Castle, participants explored the folklore and history of native herbs, flowers, and vegetables before using these plants as inspiration and raw materials in their artistic journey. Under the guidance of professional artists, participants learned to create natural dyes and pigments with sustainable artist Niamh Butler, explored eco-friendly printmaking techniques with visual artist Hilary Kinahan, and engaged in a therapeutic watercolour painting session led by art therapist Tara Mulvihill.
The result is a rich and diverse exhibition of prints, paintings, and expressive artworks that reflect a deep connection to the local environment and the creative spirit of the community.

Garden to Gallery is a collaboration between Athlone Castle, Luan Gallery, and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios - and is proudly supported by Creative Ireland and Westmeath County Council Arts Office.

Garden to Gallery
📅 Thursday 2nd October- Sunday 12th October
⏰ Open: Tue - Sat | 11am – 5pm and Sun 12pm - 5pm
📍 Luan Gallery Boardwalk gallery
Free Admission

This exhibition is supported by the Westmeath Creative Ireland 2025 Community Grant