Athlone

The town of Athlone (in Gaelic: Baile Átha Luain) lies on the river Shannon (the longest river in Ireland) near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, approximately 130 Kilometres (80 miles) west of Dublin.. The east side of Athlone forms part of county Westmeath and the west side of county Roscommon.

The Siege of Athlone took place here. Wits say that Athlone is the dead centre of Ireland, with dead being the operative word. However recent developments including the Golden Island shopping centre have made a big improvement to the range of activites available to residents.

The name Athlone is generally pronounced as Ah-loan by natives.

Nearby are Moate on the Dublin road, Ballinasloe on the Galway road, and Tang on the road to Ballymahon, county Longford.