97-699: Athlone Community College is a mixed gender school in the town of Athlone in the Irish Midlands under the patronage of the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB). It consists of a student body of over 1,100 students and employs more than 120 teachers. In 1902, a Technical School for boys was opened by the Secretary of the Department of Education and Technical Instruction. The Old Vocational School on Northgate Street moved to
194-532: A "false peace". Although Mac Lochlainn remained a threat to Toirdelbach he died in 1121, leaving Toirdelbach the most powerful man in Ireland. He immediately subdued unrest in Munster, causing the "people to cry aloud". Toirdelbhach spent much of his career modernising and improving various aspects of Ireland, particularly in his home province of Connacht. Tairrdelbach constructed Dún Gaillimhe in 1124, for use as
291-667: A battle for the High Kingship – only to have Máel Sechnaill, abandoned by his kinsmen of the Northern Uí Néill , submit to Brian without a fight. A bridge was built across the river in the 12th century, approximately 100 metres (330 ft) south of the current structure. In 1129, to protect the bridge, the High King Turloch Mór Ó Conor constructed a fort on the river's west bank, within Athlone. On
388-438: A coeducational school; Our Lady's Bower School, a girls' school; Marist College , a boys' school; Coláiste Chiaráin, the new secondary school resulting from the amalgamation of St. Aloysius' College and St Joseph's College, Summerhill. In June 2010, Taoiseach Brian Cowen announced his support of a proposed European and Chinese training hub in Athlone. In May 2012, the project was granted permission by An Bord Pleanála . It
485-515: A fine brogue in Athlone, almost as fine as in Belfast". "It's a fine brogue, but it's not brogue. It's the English language as it was spoken before all the other countries of the world forgot how to speak it. There are two things a singer can't buy, beg or steal, and that no teacher, coach or conductor can give him. One is his voice, the other is the language that was born in his mouth. When McCormack
582-469: A fort and naval base, from which the King's fleets could attack all along the west coast of Ireland. A small settlement grew up around this fort and eventually this developed into Galway city. Although the town was destroyed or burned many times over the next few centuries it continued to grow into a prosperous city. He also created a new supply of water for settlements in eastern Connacht when he constructed
679-634: A great number of the High King's sailors were killed. However, the Irish fleet prevailed and the Norse-Gaels were slaughtered. Many of them abandoned ship and were subsequently captured by the Irish fleet. The Norse commander, Mac Scelling, apparently lost his teeth in the battle, but survived. However, the heavy casualties suffered by the High Kings forces appear to have severely weakened his power in
776-595: A life-sized male figure, dressed in a typical IRA uniform from the period, and was created by Dublin-based sculptor Desmond Broe . Also on Custume Place is a sculpture, the "Mask of the Shannon", which was erected in 2020 - despite some controversy about the choice of figure used to personify the River Shannon . A figurative statue , representing the "contributions the Marist Brothers have made to
873-530: A number of hotels, including chains such the Radisson Blu and Sheraton hotels, as well as several locally-owned ones. The promenade on the River Shannon is popular among anglers , birdwatchers and swimmers . The lakeshore is accessed from Coosan Point and Hodson Bay. Athlone Castle is open to the public as a museum and there is a tourist office on Church Street. Sean's Bar , located on
970-467: A number of occasions both the fort and bridge were subject to attacks, and towards the end of the 12th century the Anglo-Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey fortification there. This earthen fort was followed by a stone structure built in 1210 by Justiciar John de Gray . The 12-sided donjon , or tower, dates from this time; however, the rest of the original castle was largely destroyed during
1067-487: A pharmaceutical company that succeeded Elan in Athlone; Bioclin Laboratories, another pharmaceutical company; Ericsson , a telecommunications business; Tyco Healthcare , a medical equipment supplier; Utah Medical, another medical equipment supplier; Pharmaplaz, another pharmaceutical company; Alienware , a computer hardware business; ICT Eurotel, a contact centre; and Athlone Extrusions, a polymer supplier. Athlone
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#17327726363381164-715: A post on social media, the school praised Donohoe's "dedication, passion and unwavering commitment". Donohoe was succeeded by Lisa O'Kennedy. The school offers both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles, as well as Transition Year . Athlone Community College is involved in a variety of sports, including Gaelic football , soccer and rugby . It is also involved in debating, having won three All-Ireland Concern Debating titles and two All-Ireland Gael Linn Irish debating titles. Athlone Athlone ( / æ θ ˈ l oʊ n / ; Irish : Baile Átha Luain , meaning 'The town of Luan's ford ' [ˌbʲlʲɑː ˈl̪ˠuənʲ] )
1261-498: A rebellion against Toirdelbach in 1136 at a low point in the High King's fortunes. They were defeated by Toirdelbhach and Aedh was captured and blinded– however, Ruadhrí escaped punishment by fleeing to an Archbishop , who protected him from the King. As Toirdelbach did not want any tension between himself and the Catholic church in Ireland , eventually the family briefly reconciled before Ruadhrí again rebelled against his father in
1358-588: A right to elect two MPs to the Irish House of Commons until 1801. After the Acts of Union 1800 , it was represented in the United Kingdom House of Commons by one MP. A commissioners' report dated 1833 stated: "To the prosperity of Athlone the corporation have at no time contributed, nor is it likely that, as at present constituted, they ever will. The strongest feeling of hostility exists between
1455-525: A six-mile-long canal which redirected the River Suck around a castle and towards nearby towns and villages. The route of this damn probably began near the modern town of Ballinasloe which was built on the river later. A political strategy often utilised successfully by Toirdelbhach was the appointment of relatives or loyal nobles as rulers or governors of towns, cities and other lesser regions or kingdoms. This allowed him to keep control of every area in
1552-529: A well-defended personal domain within Connacht, an imperium that he would have span all Éire. Dún Mór was its caput , Tuaim Dá Ghualann the seat of its archbishop , and Dún Gaillimhe its main port - military and merchant. Quite an achievement for what is perceived as the 'timeless' western 'fringe' of twelfth-century Europe, but was a dynamic society ruled as aggressively as those in ' feudal ' Europe." (Martyn, 2016, p. 35) Since Toirdelbach's accession to
1649-579: Is a town on the border of County Roscommon and County Westmeath , Ireland . It is located on the River Shannon near the southern shore of Lough Ree . It is the second most populous town in the Midlands Region with a population of 22,869 in the 2022 census . Most of the town lies on the east bank of the river, within the townland of the same name ; however, by the terms of the Local Government Act of 1898 , six townlands on
1746-652: Is also home to a number of privately operated services, including the Flagline bus company, which operates local bus routes as well as service to Tullamore . Bus Éireann continues to operate a local Athlone bus service in and around the town. The local services are as follows: Route A1: Bus Station, Willow Park (Norwood Court) via Golden Island Shopping Centre, Dublin Road and Athlone Institute of Technology; and Route A2: Monksland (River Village); Garrycastle (Moydrum Road) via Galway Road, St. Peter's Avenue, Saint Anne's Terrace,
1843-442: Is an annual event which began in 1999, originally as a weekend celebration of the life and works of John Broderick , but which now features a great variety of speakers and debaters. The tenor John McCormack was born in Athlone and, for many years, an annual festival was held in the town to celebrate his life. Athlone School of Music opened in 2005 and is a grant-aided project aimed at developing music education and services in
1940-596: Is part of the municipal district of Athlone— Moate . Theatres in Athlone include the Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre and the Little Theatre . RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival takes place annually in Athlone, bringing together nine amateur drama groups from across Ireland. The festival is supported by a number of "fringe" events that include street theatre , art exhibitions , workshops and activities for young people. Athlone Literary Festival
2037-471: Is the regional centre for a large number of state-run and semi-state-run organisations. The Department of Education , State Examinations Commission , Revenue Commissioners , FÁS Midlands Region, Bus Éireann , Iarnród Éireann , IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland all have bases in the town. Athlone is also a major Irish military centre, as the Custume Barracks , which lie on the west bank of
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#17327726363382134-573: The Acts of Union 1800 , Athlone continued as a constituency , sending one MP to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. In the 1970s the Republican Éire Nua programme proposed making Athlone the capital of a federal United Ireland . With the two counties divided by the river, the part of the town that lies east of the Shannon is in the province of Leinster ,
2231-527: The Cong Abbey . This increased his power as he would often have the Catholic Church on his side in any political or military conflicts later in his career which was crucial given to the importance of religion in Ireland at the time, though notably, the church protected the King's son Ruadhrí from Toirdelbach after failed rebellions against him in both 1136 and 1143. The Cross of Cong , made at
2328-607: The High Kingship for over a century, since the death of Brian Boru . In 1114, Toirdelbhach took advantage of political turmoil in the Kingdom of Munster , which at the time was ruled by his uncle, Muircherteach Ua Briain, King of Munster and High King of Ireland, who had previously often supported Toirdelbach as he reigned in Connacht and was the one who backed him to take the Kingship from his brother, had become "sick to
2425-691: The Jacobite strongholds that defended the river-crossings into the Jacobite-held Province of Connacht following the Battle of the Boyne on 1 July 1690. That same year, Colonel Richard Grace 's Jacobite forces in Athlone repelled an attack by 10,000 men led by Commander Douglas. In the following year's campaign, the Siege of Athlone saw a further assault by a larger allied force, during which
2522-422: The Kingdom of Meath died, ending the alliance between Toirdelbach and Murchad Ia Mael Sechnaill, King of Meath. Toirdelbach defeated their forces on both land and on the River Shannon , gaining the submission of Meath. He later married Connacht noblewoman Cailleach De, daughter of Ua hEidin, who was the mother of future High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , Toirdelbach's son. At the end of 1115, he bestowed gifts upon
2619-578: The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 , the town became an urban district and the board of commissioners was upgraded to an urban district council. The portion of the urban sanitary district which had been in County Roscommon was transferred to County Westmeath. In 2002, the urban district council became a town council. In 2003, the area of jurisdiction of the town was enlarged. In 2014, in common with all town councils in Ireland, it
2716-796: The MacCarthy Mór dynasty. But they turned against Muircherteach at Glanmire in County Cork , allying with the MacCarthys to remove the High King from power once and for all. At the same time, Toirdelbach's forces attacked Leinster , Osraige and Dublin , which were still held by the Ua Briain's, removing Domnall Ua Briain as governor of Dublin, and forcing the forces of the three kingdoms to join Toirdelbach in his campaigns against Munster. Toirdelbach even went as far as destroying
2813-758: The Rio de Janeiro State University , one of the largest universities in the Brazilian city. AIT also has agreements with the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais , one of the largest Brazilian private universities. The institute also founded agreements with two leading Beijing universities, the Capital University of Economics and Business and the Beijing Union University . The agreements were signed by
2910-586: The St. Peter and St. Pauls , a Franciscan friary and a chapel of the Society of Saint Pius X . However, seven townlands , or sections of the town, lie west of the Shannon: Athlone and Big Meadow, Bellaugh, Bogganfin, Canal and Banks, Doovoge, part of Monksland, and Ranelagh. Although surrounded by County Roscommon in the province of Connacht , they are designated as part of County Westmeath to preserve
3007-542: The Uí Briúin and Síol Muireadaigh , including the long-displaced Ui Fiachrach Aidhne . Tairrdelbach's brothers Tadc and Domnall both gained the kingship at different times, but depended upon the support of Muircherteach Ua Briain. In 1106, with the support of his uncle Muirchertach Ua Briain , eighteen-year-old Tairrdelbach deprived his older brother Domnall of the kingship of Connacht. "Tairrdelbach carefully maintained his alliance with Ua Briain, sending troops to aid
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3104-689: The Westport / Ballina lines as well as to Athenry , Oranmore and Galway . Connections from Athlone via a train transfer at Athenry railway station extend to Ennis and Limerick , while a transfer at Portarlington connects Limerick Junction and Limerick . There are trains from Portarlington to Mallow , and from Mallow to Cork , Killarney , Farranfore and Tralee . Travel between Athlone and Killdare enables connections to Carlow , Kilkenny and Waterford . For many years state-owned bus operator Bus Éireann provided hourly services to Dublin and Galway from its bus station in Athlone located beside
3201-473: The 1691 Siege of Athlone and subsequently rebuilt and enlarged. In 1607, Athlone was granted a municipal charter by James I. This entitled it to send two MPs to the Irish House of Commons . Throughout the wars that wracked Ireland in the 17th century, Athlone contained the vital, main bridge over the River Shannon into Connacht . During the Irish Confederate Wars (1641–53), the town
3298-488: The Arcadia Retail Park and Athlone Institute of Technology rather than the bus station. Such private bus companies that stop in Athlone include Citylink and a new Aircoach bus route (Galway-Athlone-Dublin) which was established soon after Bus Éireann's decision, to cope with the demand. There are also services to Limerick , Dundalk , Waterford , Cavan , Belfast , Longford and Roscommon . The town
3395-606: The Batteries, Connaught Street, Northgate Street, Bus Station, Golden Island Shopping Centre , Dublin Road and Athlone Institute of Technology . The Athlone Town service became Ireland's first fully electric bus service in January 2023. The town is located alongside the N6 dual carriageway , which is effectively a section of the M6 motorway connecting Galway to Dublin. The N6 passes along
3492-860: The Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and university representatives. Other agreements exist between the AIT and TVTC , in Saudi Arabia, and a memorandum of understanding exists with the Georgia Institute of Technology . Further agreements exist with the Bharati Vidyapeeth , one of the largest universities in India . There are four major secondary schools in the Athlone area, the Athlone Community College ,
3589-656: The Gaeltacht, opened with an exhibition of works from the Irish Museum of Modern Art . Burgess Park stands near the centre of the town, on the banks of the River Shannon . Other nearby tourist attractions include the Glendeer Open Farm and the Viking Cruise of the Shannon. Baysports , a boat training and watersports centre with the world's largest floating inflatable water slide, is located on
3686-617: The High King against the Ui Ruaric of Bréifne in 1109. But he was also determined to defend his kingdom against predators such as Domnall Mac Lochlainn of the Uí Néill (d. 1121), king of the north of Ireland." In 1110, Mac Lochlainn raided Connacht, carrying off herds of cattle and captives. While this raid rattled Toirdelbach, he demonstrated that he was not weak by attacking the Conmaicne and Breifne , with mixed fortunes; he defeated
3783-410: The High Kingship, his long-designated heir had been Conchobar Ua Conchobair, who was Toirdelbach's Tánaiste , and whom he had appointed as his governor of the Kingdom of Laigin (Leinster) and city–state of Dublin within it, and later the province and kingdom of Mide . However, many of Toirdelbach's twenty other sons were very discontented with this situation. Two of them, Ruadhrí and Aedh, staged
3880-763: The Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies building, built in 2003; the Nursing and Health Science building, built in 2005; the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, also built in 2005; the Engineering and Informatics building, built in 2010; and the Postgraduate Research Hub, also built in 2010. RTÉ's Midlands studio and office are located at AIT. The Athlone Institute of Technology has memorandum of understanding with
3977-496: The Kingship, with backing from Toirdelbach and other powerful kings, in an attempt to restore order in the province. However, this war would remain a stalemate for several years, and allowed others both within and outside the Kingdom to scheme and form their own plans against Munster. In 1118, Muircherteach and, with backing from Toirdelbach, Ua Máel Sechnaill, and Aéd Ua Ruairc of the Kingdom of Breifne, attacked Tadgh Mac Carthaigh of
Athlone Community College - Misplaced Pages Continue
4074-564: The Midlands region. Abbey Road Artists' Studios launched in 2011 in a building constructed in 1841. These artists' studios, which provide a dedicated space for local and visiting artists, consist of four individual studios as well as a multi-purpose space which is used community cultural events, exhibitions, performances and workshops. The Abbey Road artists' studios work closely with the Luan Art Gallery . In 1954, Athlone became
4171-676: The Netherlands. The account was penned by the victorious commanding officer from the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , general lieutenant Godard van Reede, in letters written to his family in mainland Europe. In the account, the commanding allied officer reported that half of Athlone's defenders retreated westward, towards the rest of their army, leaving almost 2,000 dead within the city walls and more than 100 taken prisoner, including dozens of officers. Following
4268-660: The Retreat Road site in 1974, when Athlone Community College was built to cater for 500 students. In 2008, the Department of Education and Science gave approval for the building of a new school in place of the existing building. The school was completed in 2014 and opened by the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2017. In May 2024, the school announced the retirement of principal Eileen Donohoe after 47 years of teaching in Athlone Community College. In
4365-451: The Shannon in the town, is the headquarters of the Western Command of the Irish Army . The Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is a constituent institute of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest , (TUS). Athlone forms part of the Midlands Gateway , an in-progress infrastructure initiative, along with Mullingar and Tullamore . The AIT has a campus size of 44 acres, and has new, purpose-built facilities include
4462-409: The Ua Briain palace at Kincora, Killaloe. Meanwhile, in southwest Munster, in modern Counties Cork and Kerry, the Mac Carthaigh (MacCarthys), another royal dynasty of Munster who had been living under the rule of the Ua Briain rebelled. Toirdelbach, eager to further destabilize Munster, backed this revolt. Toirdelbach then resolved the issue he had created by partitioning Munster in 1118. The province
4559-450: The battle of Mhóin Mór. Meanwhile, Domhnall Mór was beginning to fall out of favour with Toirdelbach and his fate was sealed later when he was arrested. This secured Ruadhrí's position as sole heir to the throne. Ruadhrí became the Tánaiste and succeeded Toirdelbach as king following his death. Battle of Móin Mór Despite giving hostages to Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn in 1150, and thereby ceasing to be King of Ireland, Tairrdelbach
4656-404: The behest of Tairrdelbach was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church at Tuam . The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey . He is also believed to have refounded Cong Abbey ca. 1135. Tairrdelbach's successful and innovative reign as High King of Ireland has been summed up as follows: "[he] was fifty years King of Connacht, one of
4753-434: The brother of Tairrdelbach's mother, Muirchertach Ua Briain , High King of Ireland , who possibly took Tairrdelbach into his household to groom him for the day when he would be king of Connacht. (p. 471,MIAE 2005) However this would not occur until 1106; until then, Connacht endured a prolonged period of civil strife between different factions of the Uí Conchobair, Uí Ruairc of Bréifne as well as more minor families of
4850-399: The church at the monastery at Clonmacaoise , including a drinking horn and chalice. A tactic Toirdelbhach used throughout his career in politics and as High King was divide and rule . This can be seen in several instances, most notably the partition of Munster , which at the time, under the rule of the Ua Briain (O'Brien dynasty) was the most powerful kingdom in Ireland and had controlled
4947-429: The country and avoid rebellions or alliances against him. This can be seen in 1126 when Toirdelbhach appointed one of his sons, Conchobhair, as king of Laigin (Leinster) and the city-state of Dublin. Toirdelbhach realized the political and military importance of Dublin as the city had become more or less the capital of the country. It was also one of the main trading ports of the country. Therefore, control of Dublin
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#17327726363385044-422: The county of Westmeath , the barony of Brawny , and the civil parish of St Mary's. Unusually, the barony is coterminous with a single civil parish. In terms of ecclesiastical boundaries, the eastern part of the town is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise and the parish of St Mary's. There are several other churches in the town including a Church of Ireland ( St. Mary's , Anglican ),
5141-407: The defences of the province. Athlone was a strategic location as it guarded one of the few crossings over the Shannon and guarded the area against any invasions via ships sailing up or down the river, especially from Munster whom Toirdelbhach was involved in an ongoing war with at the time. Toirdelbach was also known to have constructed or rebuilt several churches, cathedrals and monasteries, notably
5238-441: The east. Located centrally is the Athlone Town Centre , a shopping centre built in 2007, containing 54 shops, cafés and a four-star hotel. The Golden Island Shopping Centre , which opened in 1997, is also located in the town centre. Athlone Regional Sports Centre, developed by the former Town Council in 2002, is located on the outskirts of the town. The facility contains a swimming pool, gym and AstroTurf pitches. Athlone has
5335-445: The first branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the town had a large part in the organisation's creation. American crime writer James M. Cain refers to Athlone in his 1937 book, Serenade , in a passage where two characters discuss tenor John McCormack: "--There's the language he was born to. John McCormack comes from Dublin". "He does not. He comes from Athlone". "Didn't he live in Dublin?". "No Matter. They speak
5432-473: The forces of Toirdelbach Ó Briain, killing "7000" enemy soldiers. The Annals of Tigernach describe the battle and victory of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobhair here: "Until sand of sea and stars of heaven are numbered, no one will reckon all the sons of the kings and chiefs and great lords of the men of Munster that were killed there, so that of the three battalions of Munster that had come thither, none escaped save only one shattered battalion." This event, along with
5529-405: The former at Mag Na, but his army was defeated by the men of Breifne at Mag Brenair. He attacked the Northern Uí Néill the next year in 1111, plundering Termonn Dabeoc in Tír Chonaill and ravaging modern County Fermanagh as far as Lough Erne . Domnall, Toirdelbach's brother who he had taken the Kingship of Connacht from would remain in Connacht, however, and contested Toirdelbach's claim to
5626-499: The further decline of the Ua Briain dynasty. Toirdelbach had now defeated and partitioned the Kingdom of Munster , gained the submission of several other kings, and notably ended the Ua Briain's hold of the High Kingship which had lasted since 1002. In 1120 he celebrated the Oneach Titleann, an event meant to signify one's holding of the High Kingship of Ireland. However, this attracted the attention of Domnall mac Lochlainn of Ulster . The two kings met at Athlone where they agreed to
5723-448: The greatest King of Ireland since the reign of his great-great-grandfather Brian Boru. One of Toirdelbach's twenty sons, Ruadhrí, would become High King of Ireland following the death of Muircherteach mac Lochlainn, despite him rebelling against his father earlier in his life. He became High King of Ireland completely unopposed in the year 1166, and was crowned in Dublin. He would enjoy a period of relative peace in his High Kingship during
5820-400: The inhabitants and its members." The municipal corporation was abolished under the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840 . It was disfranchised by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 . Athlone was later granted town commissioners under the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854. Following the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 , Athlone was designated as an urban sanitary district. Under
5917-480: The integrity of the town. These townlands lie in St Peter's civil parish in the barony of Athlone South . In terms of ecclesiastical boundaries, the townlands west of the Shannon are part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin and the parish of Saints Peter and Paul. Athlone is a common stop for pleasure craft along the River Shannon. Lough Ree , the largest lake on the Shannon, is a short distance upstream from Athlone, and many boat companies are based out of
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#17327726363386014-410: The invading troops of King William and Queen Mary eventually overran the entire city. The defenders were forced to flee further west, toward the River Suck , at such speed that eyewitness accounts record that they "flung their cannons into the morass" as they fled. The most recently discovered account of the Siege of Athlone, written after the attack, on 5 July 1691, was found in 2004 in an archive in
6111-420: The lands of the O'Donnell Dynasty in Tír Chonaill (County Donegal) which was then part of the Northern Uí Néill , and went as far north as Inis Eoin (the Inishowen Peninsula). The Northern Uí Néill were alarmed by these attacks on the province of Ulster and decided to take action to assist the O'Donnells . Muircherteach Mac Lochlainn (who would later succeed Toirdelbach as High King of Ireland), who
6208-639: The longest reigns of any European monarch. He dominated Irish politics .. leading armies and navies all over Éire ... subjugating entire kingdoms. A superb military commander by any standards, his victory at Móin Mór in 1151 was among the most decisive in Irish history, inflicting 7000 enemy casualties ... An innovative tyrant, his creation of castles was novel in Éire ... as was his apparent wish to introduce male primogeniture ... Commercial and political networks connected him with fellow-rulers in Britain , Francia , and Scandinavia . He reorganised lordships and kingdoms as suited him, carving out
6305-408: The north and allow Mac Lochlainn to put more pressure on Ua Conchobhair in his ambition to secure the High Kingship. Toirdelbach Ua Conchobhair died in the year 1156. His reign had lasted 50 years, one of the longest in Ireland and Europe up to that point in history. He was succeeded as King of Connacht by his son Ruadhrí mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobhair , who had previously been his Tánaiste. He
6402-406: The northern side of the town, crossing the River Shannon into County Roscommon . A number of national secondary roads connect Athlone with other towns and regions, namely the N55 to Ballymahon and Cavan , the N61 to Roscommon and the N62 to Birr , Roscrea , and Southern Ireland. Athlone was granted a municipal charter by James I in 1607. This created a parliamentary borough with
6499-422: The outskirts of the town at Hodson Bay. Examples of public art and sculpture in Athlone include the IRA Memorial which was erected near the corner of Church Street and Custume Place in the early 1950s. It is dedicated to the Athlone Brigade of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) that participated in the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) and Irish Civil War (1922–1923). The limestone statue consists of
6596-465: The partition of Munster earlier in Toirdelbach's reign, practically destroyed the power of the Ua Briain dynasty in Munster, and secured Tairrdelbach as the undisputed High King of Ireland and as overlord of Munster and Connacht. Toirdelbach's military forces and his excellent capabilities as a commander were a crucial aspect of his success as High King, similar to the reign of his great‐grandfather, King Brian Boru. Naval battle off Inishowen In
6693-616: The period of 1166–1169, however, Ireland would again be thrown into conflict when the Anglo–Norman invasion of Ireland occurred in 1169. This would begin eight hundred years of conflict and political tension with England and later, Britain. Tairrdelbach had the following known wives: Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh , writing in 1649, wrote the following account of Tairrdelbach's family (219.16 – 220.13, pp. 486–489): " Toirdhealbhach Mor s. Ruaidhri, high-king of Ireland, had many sons; Ruaidhri, king of Ireland also, Cathal Croibhdhearg, king of Connacht, Domhnall Mor, tainst of Connacht (to him
6790-638: The point of a living Skeleton". It was at this point that Diarmuid, brother of Muircherteach, took the Kingship and banished Muircherteach. Tairrdelbach had been scheming against Munster with Muircherteach's enemies, mainly Domnall mac Lochlainn in Ulster and Murchad Ua Máel Sechnaill of the Kingdom of Meath to his east, and they supported Diarmuit's claim to the throne, but Diarmuit soon rose in rebellion against Toirdelbhach. In response, Toirdelbach attacked Munster, ravaging Thomond and expelling Diarmuit. A year later in 1115, Muircherteach Ia Briain regained his strength and led campaigns against his brother to regain
6887-494: The province. Toirdelbach did not make the same mistake twice or risk the life of another of his sons and instead divided the kingdom of Meath between three kings loyal to him; modern County Westmeath was given to the Northern Uí Néill, and 'East Meath' was divided between the Ua Ruaircs of Breifne (modern counties Leitrim and Cavan ) and the third are was given to the King of Leinster . Toirdelbhach selected another son, Domhnall Mór mac Tairrdelbach, to be his Tánaiste and heir to
6984-762: The railway station, but in July 2021 these routes, 20 and X20 Expressway, were cancelled indefinitely. The company cited "continuing losses [..] resulting from the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic " as the reason. Bus Éireann services between Dublin and Belfast, Cork and Limerick were also cut following a "viability review" of 18 routes in September 2020. It was noted that from July 2021 onwards, bus journeys between Athlone and Galway, Ballinasloe , Moate , Dublin city or Dublin airport would be operated by private companies only, with passengers being dropped off or picked up at
7081-468: The throne of Connacht and Ireland. Ruadhrí however, attempted a new approach in securing the Kingship by instead attempting to gain his father's favour. He conducted raids against the Ua Ruaircs (O'Rourkes) in the late 1140s, and was also involved in the capture of one of Toirdelbach nephews who was rebelling against him. He was also involved in raids against the O'Briens of Thomond in the prelude to
7178-438: The throne of the Kingdom, but he was finally expelled southward to Munster by Toirdelbhach several years later in 1114. A year later in 1115, an attempt to assassinate him was made by some of his nobles who were discontent with his rule at Ath Bo, but they were unsuccessful. Although much of his time and resources during his early reign were spent in Munster, he was also involved in campaigns elsewhere. In 1115, his wife Orlaith of
7275-605: The town of Athlone", was unveiled on St. Mary's Square in 2012. The Old Rail Trail greenway runs for 42 kilometres from Athlone to Mullingar , along the disused Athlone-Mullingar Railway . It will eventually form part of the Dublin–Galway Greenway . A new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the River Shannon was built beside the Luan Gallery and opened in August 2023. Athlone's major employers include Alkermes,
7372-526: The town. For craft to pass through Athlone, it is necessary to use a lock in the river, which is beside the weir and downstream of the current road bridge. The lock, weir, and bridge were all constructed by the Shannon navigation commissioners in the 1840s. Before then, boats used a canal, about a mile and a half long, to the west of the river. The canal was built by Thomas Omer for the Commissioners of Inland Navigation. Work started in 1757 and involved
7469-412: The west bank of the Shannon, formerly in County Roscommon, were incorporated into the town, and consequently, into the county of Westmeath. Around 100 km west of Dublin , Athlone is near the geographical centre of Ireland . Athlone Castle , situated on the western bank of the River Shannon, is the geographical and historical centre of Athlone. Throughout its early history, the ford of Athlone
7566-594: The west bank of the river, was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest pub in Ireland. The Luan Gallery was opened in 2012. It is the first purpose-built, modern visual art gallery in the Midlands. It was designed by Keith Williams , who also designed the Athlone Civic Centre. The gallery, which was officially opened by Jimmy Deenihan , the Minister for Arts, Heritage and
7663-557: The work of over 300 men. Omer built a single lock, 120' X 19' with a rise of 4.5', but there was also a guard lock, further upstream, with a single set of gates to protect the canal against floods. There were also two lay-bys, or harbours, one above the lock and another at the upstream end. The old canal is no longer navigable. Athlone railway station opened on 3 October 1859, with Irish Rail services travelling eastwards to Portarlington , Kildare and Dublin Heuston and westwards to
7760-466: The year 1143, and was defeated yet again. This time, he was captured and imprisoned by Toirdelbhach, however, the archbishop again intervened by preventing the King from punishing Ruadhrí. Ruadhrí was released after a year in prison. However, it was at this point, in the year 1144, that Conchobar, the heir to the throne, was assassinated while governing the kingdom of Mide. He was killed by a Meath lord or noble who had deemed him unfit or unworthy to govern
7857-442: The year 1156, Toirdelbhach organised a massive fleet gathered from all over western Connacht including men and ships from Dún Gaillimhe, Clew Bay on the coast of County Mayo (likely the seafaring Uí Mháille (O'Malley) clan and Connemara in western County Galway among others. The fleet was commanded by one of Toirdelbach's admirals, as by now the High King himself was almost seventy years of age. This fleet sailed north to plunder
7954-481: Was King of Connacht (1106–1156) and High King of Ireland (ca. 1120–1156). Toirdelbhach was born in the year 1088. He was the youngest son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide (died 1118), and his mother was Mór, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain (1009–14 July 1086). Therefore, through his mother, his great-great-grandfather was Brian Boru . His brothers were Niall (killed 1093), Tadc (killed 1097), Conchobar (murdered 1103), and Domnall, King of Connacht (deposed 1106). There
8051-478: Was 2RN, a wordplay on the song "Come back to Erin". The station subsequently became known as "Radio Athlone" and could clearly be heard throughout Europe, and as far away as Moscow. This changed as bandwidth allocations were accorded at the Helsinki Declaration. The station originally operated at a power of 60 kW, which during the 1950s, was increased to 100 kW. For an antenna, a T-antenna
8148-740: Was a member of the Cenel Eoghain branch of the Ui Néill Dynasty , decided to request the assistance of the Viking Norse-Gaels who inhabited the Norse Kingdom of the Isles in the modern Hebrides and Western Isles of Scotland . The Norse-Gaels were excellent sailors and possessed a large and advanced naval force . Mac Lochlainn sent a representative to request assistance in defeating Toirdelbach's fleet, which
8245-444: Was abolished. The urban district council was based at the old civic offices, which had been crudely extended over time and were demolished to make way for the new Athlone Civic Centre, which was completed in 2004. In County Roscommon, Athlone is a six-seat local electoral area (LEA) to Roscommon County Council which forms its own municipal district. In County Westmeath, Athlone is a five-seat LEA to Westmeath County Council which
8342-470: Was and is still used, which spins between two 100-metre tall guyed masts with square cross-sections and which are insulated against ground. Many old radio sets in Europe had the "Athlone" dial position marked near the end of their tuning scales. Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair (old spelling: Tairrdelbach Mór Ua Conchobair ; 1088 – 1156) anglicised Turlough Mór O'Conor ,
8439-414: Was around this point that Muircherteach finally managed to successfully topple his brother Diarmuid from power and retook the Kingship, however, he was now only King of Thomond , not the whole of Munster. He would die a year later in 1119 at Lismore . Toirdelbach had successfully divided Munster, and a year later he annexed the Ua Briain homeland of County Clare into the Kingdom of Connacht , leading to
8536-553: Was at least one sister, Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra of Luighne Connacht (died 1131). Ruaidrí was married to four or more women. According to the Annals of Tigernach, Toirdelbach's mother died the year he was born, suggesting his birth may have been arduous. In 1092, King Ruaidrí was blinded by Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh , an incident which led to the domination of Connacht by the Dál gCais of Munster, led by Tairrdelbach's uncle,
8633-587: Was crucial to a successful High Kingship of Ireland. Conchobhair would also be given the Kingship of the province of Mide (Meath) later in 1143, however, this move would backfire when he was assassinated a year later. In the year 1129, Toirdelbach reputedly built the first stone castle in Ireland, on the River Shannon in Athlone . Toirdelbach would build several more of these throughout Connacht, notably in Dún Gallimhe, Dún Mór and Ballinasloe, strengthening
8730-471: Was granted. The Vikings, under the command of a man by the name of Mac Scelling , sailed from western Scotland and the two fleets met in a battle off the peninsula of Inishowen. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, the battle lasted all day from the morning until late in the evening. The Annals state that the battle was "fiercely and spiritedly" fought and that there was a "great slaughter" and
8827-529: Was held by Irish Confederate troops until it was taken in late 1650 by Charles Coote , who attacked the town from the west, having crossed into Connacht at Sligo . Forty years later, during the pan-European War of the Grand Alliance (1688–97), the town was again of key strategic importance. In the Irish phase of the conflict (the Williamite War in Ireland of 1688–1691), Athlone was one of
8924-679: Was partitioned into the Kingdoms of Thomond , under the rule of the Ua Briain Dynasty, the Kingdom of Desmond , under the rule of the Mac Carthaigh Mór Dynasty , and finally the short-lived Kingdom of Osraige , under the rule of the Kennedy Dynasty, though the latter kingdom was small in comparison to the other two and were rarely involved in the politics or struggles for the Kingship of Munster. But it
9021-533: Was planned to comprise a total of nine exhibition halls, nine smaller independent exhibition buildings, one temporary exhibition space, several offices, administrative services, some living quarters, hotels, shops, restaurants, pubs, a school and railway station. It was never built. Between 1931 and 1975 the main radio transmission centre for Irish radio was located at Moydrum, Athlone ( 53°25′14″N 7°52′52″W / 53.42056°N 7.88111°W / 53.42056; -7.88111 ). The original call sign
9118-463: Was singing Handel he was singing English, and he sings it as no American and no Englishman will ever sing English". The Irish poet Aubrey Thomas de Vere wrote a poem The Ballad of Athlone which is an account of an incident in the 1691 siege. Athlone is a retail destination within the Midlands region of Ireland. The town centre extends from Church Street in the west to Seán Costello Street in
9215-494: Was still capable of active overlordship in southern Ireland. In 1151 he and his allies - King Diarmaid Mac Murchadha of Leinster, Maelseachlainn son of Murchadh Ó Maelseachlainn of the Kingdom of Mide , King Tighearnán Ó Ruairc of the Kingdom of Breifne - met the forces of King Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain of Thomond at Móin Mór near Glanmire . In what was one of the most decisive battles ever fought in Ireland, Tairrdelbach defeated
9312-553: Was strategically important, as south of Athlone the Shannon is impassable until Clonmacnoise , where the Esker Riada meets the Shannon, while to the north the Shannon flows into Lough Ree . In 1001 Brian Bóru sailed his army up river from Kincora and through Lough Derg to attend a gathering in Athlone. The following year, Brian met the High King of Ireland Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill at Athlone, intending to engage him in
9409-718: Was succeeded as High King of Ireland by Muircherteach mac Lochlainn of the Northern Uí Néill, who would reign for ten years before being assassinated by his own nobles in the year 1166. He was initially interred at the Cong Abbey, the very monastery he had rebuilt earlier in his reign. However he was later buried in Clonmacaoise , where many members of the ruling Ua Conchobhair royal bloodline would be buried. Toirdelbach's reforms, advances and military prowess in Ireland would be remembered for many years as arguably
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