“The overall aim of the project is to improve the visitor experience to Athlone Castle, to ensure accessibility and to increase linger time by visitors at the location. The project is designed to remove clutter in the area around the castle, providing an unobstructed view of the castle from the bridge and maintaining the view of the River Shannon from the Market Square.

“The cluster of important heritage and tourist attractions in the vicinity of Athlone Castle include the Luan Gallery, St. Peter and Paul’s Church, the historic Athlone Town Bridge, the new Athlone Greenway Bridge, key arrival point for Boat Tours and restaurants and bars. The enhancements will add greatly to tourism in the centre of Athlone improving access to a key tourism asset, attracting additional footfall and contributing to the vitality and vibrancy of the Tourism and Cultural Quarter of Athlone.”

“Culturally, the Connaught side of Athlone is very important and it is critically that we maintain and enhance what is on offer to enhance our tourism offering.”

“The riverfront element of the enhancement project was originally envisaged to be delivered as part of the Athlone Flood Relief Scheme which has ensured the protection of Athlone from flood events and has also enhanced the public realm along the River Shannon throughout the town of Athlone.

“The urban section of the Athlone to Galway Greenway also forms a key element of the enhancement project. The recently constructed Athlone Greenway Bridge links with this project as a section of the Greenway passes below the historic Town Bridge and across the area in front of the Castle providing more opportunities for people using the Greenway to stop and linger in the heart of Athlone’s Tourism and Cultural Quarter.”