Castles in County Westmeath.

Athlone Castle and Museum.

(Luan's ford.)

The justicar John de Gray built the first castle built on this site in 1210. The three quarter round towers flanking the curtain wall were probably added in the late thirteenth century. When Sir Edward Fitton was president of Connacht he made alterations in the 1570's. The castle again underwent restoration between 1669 and 1685. The building was badly damaged during the Williamite siege of Athlone, substantial renovations ensued.

The castle now houses Athlone Museum and holds an interesting collection of items relating to the history and prehistory of the Athlone area. There are early Christian grave slabs, cannonballs from the 1691 siege, a penal cross dated 1792, various domestic and agricultural implements, and the recorded voice of the tenor John McCormack.