History Athlone (Item)

History Mullingar Athlone Greenway

The route now enjoyed as the Mullingar–Athlone Greenway originated in the mid-19th century as part of the Midlands Great Western Railway (MGWR). The railway line officially reached Mullingar from Dublin in September 1848, and by October 2nd that year, the first train arrived in Mullingar at a newly built station. The Castletown Station followed in 1851, serving both passengers and freight, and remained operational until 1963. Moate Station, also opened in 1851, continued service until 1987.

This railway formed the central east-west link in Ireland connecting Dublin with Athlone and beyond, forming a vital artery across the Midlands. After 1987, with services rerouted, the line was decommissioned.

In the early 21st century, the idea emerged to repurpose this disused railway into a greenway for walking and cycling, forming part of the larger Dublin–Galway Greenway project. The vision was to create a safe, off-road, scenic trail that would connect the Royal Canal at Mullingar with the River Shannon at Athlone, traversing the midlands countryside. A new dedicated bridge across the River Shannon in Athlone, critical for seamless completion of the route was finally opened in August 2023.

Athlone (Irish: Áth Luain, meaning “the ford of Luan”) traces its roots to a strategic Bronze Age crossing on the River Shannon, where a natural esker created a shallow stretch essential for travel and trade. Archaeological finds—including early Christian grave slabs—suggest settlement from at least that era.

King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht established the first recorded fort and wooden bridge here in 1129 to aid his campaigns eastward. By 1210, the Anglo-Norman justiciar Bishop John de Gray, acting on behalf of King John, constructed the stone Athlone Castle and a more permanent motte-and-bailey fortification.

Over the centuries, Athlone became a hub of governance and military importance. In 1569, it became the seat of the Presidency of Connacht, fortified by town walls granted in 1251, and improved with an Elizabethan bridge built in 1566.

However, its strategic significance also made it a flashpoint. During the Williamite Wars, Athlone's defenses were tested in key engagements:

1690: A successful defense by Jacobite forces under Colonel Richard Grace held off Williamite attackers until the siege was broken.
1691: A renewed Williamite assault ultimately forced a crossing and led to the garrison’s surrender, marking a turning point in the conflict.

Following these sieges, the castle was modernized—rebuilt during the Napoleonic period to withstand artillery fire and refitted with drum towers, embrasures, and other defensive enhancements.

Beyond military might, Athlone's fabric interweaves commerce, culture, and innovation:

Sean’s Bar, located on Main Street, claims the title of Ireland’s oldest pub—possibly established as early as 900 AD. Though much of the current structure dates to the 17th–18th centuries, archaeological evidence suggests older materials were reused.
The Lough Ree Yacht Club, founded in 1770 near Athlone, highlights the town’s longstanding connection with river-based leisure and competition—one of the earliest inland sailing clubs in the world.

The 19th century brought modernization and expansion:

Construction of the nine-arched Elizabethan bridge, developments in the Shannon navigation, and the arrival of the railway in 1850 spurred Athlone's growth.
The town evolved administratively too. Athlone was granted its first charter in 1599 and another in 1606, leading to a municipal corporation governed by influential families (e.g., the Handcocks and St Georges). This structure lasted until the 19th century, when reforms replaced it first with town commissioners and later with the Athlone Urban District Council.

In 1922, during Ireland’s new Free State era, Custume Barracks on the west bank of the Shannon became a symbol of revolutionary pride—its renaming commemorated a local hero’s bravery during the 1691 siege.

Meanwhile, Athlone Castle transitioned from historic fort to cultural landmark. In 1967, the Old Athlone Society established a museum there, and later renovations—especially the €4.3 million visitor center inaugurated in 2012—transformed it into a modern exhibition hub focusing on Athlone’s past and people.

Other notable developments include:

The Moydrum radio transmitter, which from 1931–1975 was a powerful beacon for radio across Europe.
Today, Athlone is a bustling Midlands town with rich cultural offerings, festivals, academic institutions, and sports facilities that foster an active community spirit.

Mullingar, the name derives from the Irish "An Muileann gCearr", meaning "the left‑handed mill" or more colorfully, "the wry mill." Tradition recounts a 7th-century miracle: St Colman of Lynn supposedly reversed the rotation of a local mill, giving the town its name.

The town began to take shape over 800 years ago during the Norman period. Its foundation included a manor, borough, castle, parish church, monastic houses (Augustinian and Dominican), a hospital, and a venue called a “Frankhouse,” accommodating settlers from Ireland, France, England, Wales, Flanders, and Brittany.

Key religious establishments included the Augustinian Priory of St Mary (founded 1227) and a Dominican friary (established 1237), both flourishing through the medieval period.

In 1542, following the Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act, Mullingar was established as the county town of the newly formed County Westmeath—a role it maintains to this day.

The Cromwellian land settlements reshaped local ownership, introducing new English and Scottish landholding families, while some Irish families emigrated to the European continent.

By 1661, Mullingar manor had passed to Sir Arthur Forbes, Earl of Granard, whose family retained influence for approximately 200 years.

In the 1700s, Mullingar emerged as a key wool market, attracting widespread trade. A devastating fire in 1747 led to substantial rebuilding, setting the stage for prosperity.

Nearby, the Jealous Wall, an impressive Gothic folly, was erected in the 1760s within Belvedere House's grounds—symbolizing romantic rivalry as well as architectural flair. It remains Ireland’s largest folly.

A transportation revolution reached Mullingar with the Royal Canal in 1806, connecting the town to Dublin, followed by the railway in 1848, linking it across Ireland. The town supported a wide array of civic infrastructure: a cathedral, barracks, railway station, workhouse, infirmary, courthouse, jail, market house, gas lighting (from 1859), telegraph office (1853), racecourse, and various schools.

Mullingar was a garrison town from around 1819, later known for hosting Columb Barracks, until its closure in 2012.

The Greville Arms Hotel, originally Wilton’s Hotel (circa 1750), was redeveloped under ownership of Lord Greville from 1858 onward.

The Cathedral of Christ the King—built between 1932 and 1936—now dominates the skyline. It’s celebrated for its Renaissance style and mosaics by Russian artist Boris Anrep.

The County Hall, now the Mullingar Arts Centre, was completed in 1913 in neoclassical style and officially opened by Douglas Hyde. It served as local government offices until the 2014 reform.

A proud cultural heritage continues: Mullingar is known for its contributions to music and entertainment—Joe Dolan is memorialized with a bridge and sculpture; global artists like Niall Horan (One Direction) and soprano Ailish Tynan hail from there. The town supports a vibrant arts and sports scene including GAA, rugby, cricket, cycling, and more.