Athlone

Athlone the urban capital of the Midlands is strategically positioned in the centre of Ireland, where an esker ridge provides convenient access through the surrounding lowlands to make it the focus of east-west traffic across the river Shannon. Athlone town is located in the centre of Ireland and is well served by local and national infrastructure.

Industrial Development/Employment and Workforce
The town has a long manufacturing tradition and today is justifiably proud to be regarded as the epicentre of all commercial and industrial activity in the Midlands. In recent years the town has gained not only a national but an international reputation due to the presence of high-profile companies such as Elan Corporation, Ericsson,Athlone Extrusions, Alienware, Nexans,Tyco/Mallinckrodtand the recent call centres opened by One Direct Insurance and ICT Eurotel.

Athlone is the regional centre for a large number of state and semi-state organisations. These account for some 3000 odd jobs and contribute substantially to the business life of the town i.e. Defence Forces (including military personnel and civilians), Department of Education, Athlone Institute of Technology, FAS Midlands Region, CIE, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Eircom, Health Services, Athlone Town Council, Schools and various Government Departments.

The Services Sector employs half the population of the Midlands region e.g. Approximately 600 people are employed in the Golden Island Shopping Centre. Industry comes second, with agriculture still a significant employer, but declining in third place. The young age profile (45% less than 24 years), high birth rate and increased female participation supports the future manpower needs of companies.

Company Profiles

There are also a variety of successful indigenous Irish companies operating in the town

Population:
The current population of19,387 is based on the preliminary 2006 Census Report:
Athlone Urban 6,970
Athlone East Rural 6,804
Athlone West Rural 3,114
Moydrum 2,499
The preliminary Census 2006 report, based on population summaries prepared by each of the 4,400 Census Enumerators, sets out the numbers of males and females at the level of Electoral Division. The definitive population results, based on the scanned Census Forms, will be released between April and December 2007.

View preliminary Census 2006 report


Development and Commercial Property
Ongoing developments include residential and construction of new office facilities. The development of riverside amenities includes new apartments and a hotel. Renewal programmes and a campaign to upgrade Athlone to city status significantly enhance Athlone's attractiveness to potential investors and workers. Athlone has experienced strong growth over the last 2-4 years in both the industrial and retails sectors. The total cost of developments over the last couple of years is approx. 60m (Source Athlone Chamber of Commerce). Read more >>


Retail
Retail Athlone in the last number of years has come to be regarded as the commercial and retail capital of the Irish Midlands with shoppers travelling from surrounding counties because of the quality, choice and accessibility. The development of both the east and west riverbanks of the town has provided visitors and locals with an excellent variety of interesting shops, which are attractively and conveniently located to suit shoppers' requirements. Car-parking facilities in the town are plentiful and strategically dispersed to accommodate shoppers' needs in congested areas. Two easily accessible shopping centres,Golden Island Shopping Centre and the Texas Shopping Centre,both with excellent facilities dominate the east side of the town.Construction has commenced on anew Athlone Town Centre Development with up to 6 acres of retail space and residential development. Click here for details of Commercial Developments in Athlone.

Housing
The housing requirements of the town are met by the Athlone Town Council, the County Council and by private developers. Over the past five years the residential sector has undergone growth as reflected by the number of new housing developments both completed, under construction and on the drawing board.

Training and education
The educational infrastructure is very attractive in Athlone with Athlone Regional College established in 1970 now designated to an Institute of Technology and catering for over 5,000 students. The Institute offers part-time and full-time programmes at certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels. The National Polymer Development Centre based in Athlone is Ireland's leading Polymer Technology and Development Organisation, providing the polymer industry with a rapid turnaround, confidential and industrially focused technical service. Several private and public establishments providing full-time, evening and part-time training and tuition. A large number of Primary and Second Level Schools exist within a 10-15 mile catchment area. Over 3,000 pupils attend second level schools in the town with approx. 2,000 students graduating annually from second-level schools. Read more >>

Tourism
Tourism is a significant and growing income earner for the Midlands. Statistics from MERTA indicate that it is the second fastest growing Inland Tourism Destination in the East Coast and Midlands Region. A wide range of amenities and services are available within a 20 mile radius of Athlone town. The town is well catered for by excellent hotels and quality B&B's, with a variety of restaurants and eateries catering for all tastes and budgets. Athlone's position on the River Shannon at the foot of Lough Ree has ensured a consistent influx of water enthusiasts including those who participate in sailing, cruising, wind surfing and canoeing. Angling enthusiasts come to fish the Shannon and the many lakes located in the Midlands Region.

Athlone and District boasts a wide variety of visitor attractions and historical sites of note including the instantly recognisable Athlone Castle and Clonmacnoise Monastic Site. Many walking, cycling and driving trails have been developed in recent years for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

The town offers many popular cultural and social events and festivals such as season performances by Athlone Little Theatre, Athlone Musical Society, Athlone Chorale group and the Athlone Barbershop Group. The Ericsson All Ireland Drama Festival, local and travelling productions, concerts and exhibitions are hosted in the Dean Crowe Theatre Arts Centre.

Leisure facilities in the area include the recent opening of a Regional Sports Centre with a 25 metre pool, a children's pool, aerobics, karate, yoga, gym and an all weather pitch. Other activities enjoyed locally are golf, horse-riding and racing, hunting, tennis, scuba-diving, rowing, sailing, cruising, hockey, camogie, rugby, soccer and gaelic football. Indoor facilities include gyms, swimming pools, bowling, badminton, snooker/pool, indoor soccer, arts, drama and musical societies.

Athlone town is situated in the centre of Ireland with a broad range of amenities and services available. The town offers excellent hotels and good quality B&B's, with a variety of restaurants and cafes catering for all tastes and budgets.

Athlone and District offers a wide variety of attractions and historical sites including Athlone Castle
and Clonmacnoise Monastic Site.

Athlone's position on the River Shannon at the foot of Lough Ree provides the ideal location for water and leisure enthusiasts. Guided boat-trips of Lough Ree and cruising the River Shannon are popular during the summer season.

The modern name Athlone comes from the Irish Ath-Luain the ford of Luain. According to tradition a man called Luan, the son of Lewy kept a hostelry close to the ford. He acted as a guide to travellers who needed to venture across the rapid torrent. In time the place came to be known as Athlone or Ath Luain: the ford of Luain.

Westmeath Tourism
Westmeath Tourism is a voluntary body comprised of Tourism Operators in Westmeath. Its function is to promote members products, services and events in the Westmeath area.
Web: http://www.westmeathtourism.com

East Coast and Midlands Tourism
East Coast and Midlands Tourism is the Regional Tourism Authority for counties: Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, North Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow. Its principle role is the marketing, development and servicing of tourism with the trade at both a regional and local level. It operates a network of 14 tourist offices, which form part of the national network.

Athlone Tourist Information Office(Seasonal)
Address: Athlone Castle, Athlone, County Westmeath
Contact: Ms Rosaleen McQuillan
Telephone:             00 353 (0) 90 6494630       
Web: http://www.eastcoastmidlands.ie

Mullingar Tourist Information(All year round)
Address: Mullingar, County Westmeath
Contact: Ms Caroline Cole
Telephone:            00 353 (0) 44 9348650       
Fax 00 353 (0) 44 9340413
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.eastcoastmidlands.ie