ATHLONE, urban district, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Pop. (1926) It is 78m. W. of Dublin on the Great Southern railway. A castle and a bridge over the river were built by John de Grey, bishop of Norwich and justiciar of Ireland in I210. It became the seat of the presidency of Connaught under Elizabeth, and withstood a siege by the insurgents in 1641. In the war of 1688 the possession of Athlone was considered of the greatest importance, and it consequently sustained two sieges, the first by William III. in person, which failed, and the second by Gen eral Godart van Ginkel (q.v.). In 1797 the town was strongly fortified on the Roscommon side, but the works are now dis mantled. Athlone was incorporated by James I., and returned two members to the Irish parliament, and afterwards one mem ber to the imperial parliament till 1885.
The river Shannon divides the town into two portions, the Leinster side (east), and the Connaught side (west), which are connected by a bridge, opened in 1844. There is a swivel railway bridge. The rapids of the Shannon at this point are obviated by means of a lock communication with a basin, which renders the navigation of the river practicable above the town. Some trade by water is carried on with Limerick, and with Dublin by the river and the Grand and Royal canals. Athlone is an important agricultural centre, and there are woollen factories. The salmon fishing both provides sport and is a source of commercial wealth. There are two parish churches, St. Mary and St. Peter, both erected early in the 19th century, of which the first has near it an isolated church tower of earlier date. There are three Roman Catholic chapels, a court-house and other public offices. Early remains include portions of the castle, of the town walls (1576), of the abbey of St. Peter, and of a Franciscan foundation. On several islands of Lough Ree, to the north, are ecclesiastical and other remains.