Athlone Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Athlone Castle
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| Part of the Town of Athlone | |
| Athlone, Westmeath in Ireland | |
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 Athlone Castle
Location in Ireland
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| Coordinates | 53°25′24″N 7°56′33″W / 53.42333°N 7.94250°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | City of Athlone, Ireland |
| Operator | Athlone Arts and Tourism |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1129 (Wooden fort), 1210 (Motte-and-Bailey) |
| Built by | Bishop John de Gray of Norwich |
| In use | 1129-1969 |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Athlone |
Athlone Castle, sometimes known as Adamson Castle, is an amazing castle located in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. It was first built way back in the 12th century and has a long, exciting history!
Contents
The Story of Athlone Castle
The very first "castle" in Athlone was a wooden fort. It was built in 1129 by King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht. This wooden fort might have been on the same spot where the stone castle stands today.
Building the Stone Castle
The stone castle you see now was built in 1210. It was made for King John by Bishop John de Gray of Norwich. The main reason for building it was to protect the important river crossing at Athlone. It also helped the Normans move further into Connaught.
The castle built in 1210 had a strong, many-sided tower. This tower was placed on a "motte," which is a man-made hill. Even though it has changed a lot, this tower is still the main part, or "keep," of the castle today. Back then, the River Shannon around Athlone looked very different. The castle probably had a ditch or "fosse" filled with water for extra protection.
Changes Over Time
The castle got much stronger in the late 1200s (around 1276). A thick wall, called a "curtain wall," was built around the motte. This wall had round towers at its corners. These parts, though rebuilt many times, are still there today.
In 1547, Sir William Brabazon rebuilt parts of the castle. The outer walls and towers faced heavy attacks during the Sieges of Athlone in 1690-91. They were later damaged when lightning struck the castle in 1697.
The castle you see today looks different because it was updated during the Napoleonic era. This was a time when armies used cannons a lot. The short, round towers of the castle now look a bit like the Martello towers. These towers were also built during the Napoleonic era to defend coasts.
What You Can Still See
If you look closely at the castle, you can still spot many cool features. There's the shape of a "sally gate" in the wall facing the Shannon. This was a secret exit. You can also see a "bow loop" in the wall facing Castle Street. This was a narrow opening for archers to shoot arrows from. There are also "gun-embrasures" and "pistol loops" on the walls near the entrance ramp. These were openings for guns.
One important feature that disappeared in the 1900s was the drawbridge. It was there until the 1940s!
The main tower, or Keep, of the castle is a very important national monument. For 750 years, the castle was a key part of Athlone's defenses. In 1967, it became home to a museum run by the Old Athlone Society. Then, in 1991, a modern visitor center was added. Since 2012, Athlone Arts and Tourism has managed the castle. Athlone Castle helps us understand how the town of Athlone grew from its Norman beginnings.
Modern Updates
Athlone Castle reopened in 2012 after a huge renovation project. Millions of euros were spent to turn the castle into a modern, exciting place to visit. It now offers a "multi-sensory" experience. This means you can learn about history using all your senses!
The castle has eight exhibition rooms. They tell the story of the castle in order, from oldest to newest events. You can see cool 3D maps and watch audio-visual shows. There are also amazing illustrations by Victor Ambrus, who is famous for his work on the TV show Time Team.
Images for kids
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A view inside Athlone Castle after the restoration work.
