Sheraton Belong – Resort & Hotels Athlone, Ireland
Sheraton Athlone Hotel
Places to Visit
An early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre.
Web: www.heritageireland.ie/en/HistoricSites/East/ClonmacnoiseOffaly/
Athlone Castle
This Norman Castle dominates the town centre and commands the traditional gateway to the West of Ireland. Features exhibitions and audio visual presentations on the siege of Athlone, Count John McCormack, River Shannon wildlife and history with folk and military museums.
Tel: 090 6442100
Lockes Distillery
Web: www.lockesdistillerymuseum.com/
Established in 1757, Locke’s Distillery is the oldest licensed pot still distillery in the world. Locke’s produced triple distilled whiskey for nearly 200 years. Now open as a museum, guided tours follow the
process from the grinding of the grain to the casking of the final product. At the end of the tour you are treated to a complimentary sample of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.
Tel: 057 9332201
Belvedere House Mullingar
Lord Belvedere’s Hunting Lodge at Lough Ennell stands on 160 acres of maintained estate and Victorian Gardens plus an apiary and Falconry Centre. Belvedere House is fully restored includes a licensed restaurant, gift shop, interpretative centre, exhibition galleries, three children’s playgrounds, animal sanctuary, tram trips and several picnic areas.
Tel: 044 49060
Web: www.belvedere-house.ie
Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
Housed in the 1897 Bonded Warehouse, relates the story of Tullamore Dew Whiskey/Irish Mist Liqueur and the development of the town. Visitors can wander through the various recreated working stations that were at the distillery such as malting, bottling or cooperage areas and learn how the whiskey was made.
Tel: 057 9325015
Web: http://www.tullamoredew.com/heritage-centre/default.asp
An Dun, Transport & Heritage Museum
Transport & Heritage Museum offers a unique private collection of transport and heritage lovingly restored by its owners. Experience the fascination and excitement of this unique treatment of by-gone days openly displayed for your enjoyment.
Doon, Co. Westmeath
Tel: 090 6430106
Birr Castle & Gardens
World famous for its exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and lake, formal gardens, terraces and wildflower meadows. A prominent feature in the centre of the Park is the Great Telescope, built in 1845; the largest in the world for over 70 years and can be seen operating throughout the day and the Galleries of Discovery. Also houses the national birds of Prey Centre.
Tel: 057 9320336
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway
The Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway offers a 9km-rail trip through Blackwater Bog, near Shannonbridge Co.Offaly on a 3ft narrow gauge railway. While travelling learn about the formation of the peat and the industry that has built up around the bog.
Tel: 090 9674450
Derryglad Folk Museum
Derryglad Folk Museum houses a unique 25 year collection of over 3, 000 items. These include; horse-drawn machinery restored to the original working order, tradesmans tools and buttermaking equipment. For those with an interest in the lifestyle of bygone days, the Museum hosts laundry memorabilia, old and rare washing machines, 1930's old-style thatched bar & grocery, old-style sheep shears, radios, gramophones and a large collection of 78rpm records, shop dockets and bill-heads, as well as much, much more.
Tel: 090 648 8192
Dun na Sí Heritage Park
In addition to its role as a centre for all local Comhaltas Dun na Si also provides the following facilities: Genealogical research centre - a computerised database for County Westmeath that offers research facilities on family histories. Heritage park - a 6.5 acre park with structures and preserved machinery that allows visitors to step into the past and experience aspects of rural Ireland through the ages.
Moate, Co Westmeath
Tel: 090 6481183
Glendeer Pet Farm
Stretch your legs along the unspoilt nature walk where old horse drawn farm machinery can be viewed. Feed the Pet Animals, which include deer, Vietnamese pot belly pigs, ponies, donkeys, Jersey cows, sheep, goats, peacocks and other rare birds and domestic fowl. The children can play on the slide, swings, seesaws and very popular glider swing, while adults enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee with freshly made sandwiches and home-made cakes.
Athlone
Tel: 090 643 7147
King House
King House is a magnificently restored Georgian Mansion built around 1730 by Sir Henry King whose family were one of the most powerful and wealthy in Ireland. Today visitors can explore the house and enjoy a range of exhibitions that offer an enchanting view of Irelands heritage and culture. However you like your history, come to King House and you will definitely be looking forward to looking back.
Boyle Co Roscommon
Tel:071 9663242
Portlick Castle
Portlick Castle is an 12th century Dillon Castle located on the shores of Lough Ree with 30 acres of walled gardens, wooded areas and pasture land. The castle and period extensions have all been extensively renovated to a very high standard.
Tel: 090 6485955
Roscommon Castle
Located on a hillside just outside the town, Roscommon castle was enclosed by a lofty curtain wall. It was built in 1269 and has a long and exciting history.
Tel: 090 662 6342
Strokestown Park House
Strokestown Park House is an 18th century mansion, which has been faithfully restored. It is unique in that it retains its original furnishings and professionally guided tours allow visitors to browse freely through the stately surroundings.
Co Roscommon
Tel: 071 9633013
Claypipe Visitor Centre
Provides a window into the unique history of Knockcroghery with its prolific clay pipe industry and its unusual demise.
Knockcroghery Village
Co. Roscommon
Web: www.irishclaypipes.com
Tel 090 666 1923
