Guidebook for Ballinasloe
Drinks & Nightlife
OK, the sawdust on the floor might not be strictly necessary any more, but 'the oldest pub in Ireland' is still the real deal. Try to get the little booth with the charts and nautical instruments.
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Sean's Bar, Najstariji pub na svijetu
13 Main StOK, the sawdust on the floor might not be strictly necessary any more, but 'the oldest pub in Ireland' is still the real deal. Try to get the little booth with the charts and nautical instruments.
Food Scene
The ideal pit-stop on a blustery morning in town. Breakfast and lunch menus. Well-cooked fare in generous portions. Good coffee. Deli items. Well frequented by the locals but there's always a table.
Kariba's Restaurant & Coffee House
7 Society StThe ideal pit-stop on a blustery morning in town. Breakfast and lunch menus. Well-cooked fare in generous portions. Good coffee. Deli items. Well frequented by the locals but there's always a table.
We've had many a meal in the Canal Bar, and generally been very impressed with the food. Also try: Noor Tandoori (of which we've heard glowing reports), Fusion Asian Restaurant, and Gullane's Hotel.
Shearwater Hotel
We've had many a meal in the Canal Bar, and generally been very impressed with the food. Also try: Noor Tandoori (of which we've heard glowing reports), Fusion Asian Restaurant, and Gullane's Hotel.
Kin Khao Thai
1 Abbey LnExcellent, authentic Thai food.
We were blown away by the food in its old incarnation as a country pub. In its smart new location it was just as good. Main courses are in the €22-28 range, but there is an Early Bird menu too.
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The Fatted Calf Restaurant
Church StreetWe were blown away by the food in its old incarnation as a country pub. In its smart new location it was just as good. Main courses are in the €22-28 range, but there is an Early Bird menu too.
This is our favourite restaurant in Athlone. The ambience is pleasant, in the heart of the old town, and the food excellent. The early-bird menu is available almost all the time!
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The Left Bank Bistro
3 High StThis is our favourite restaurant in Athlone. The ambience is pleasant, in the heart of the old town, and the food excellent. The early-bird menu is available almost all the time!
Recommended by several of our guests, and by the Irish Times.
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Moran's Oyster Cottage
The WeirRecommended by several of our guests, and by the Irish Times.
Sightseeing
Splendid 12th Century castle with a new 'multi-sensory visitor experience'.
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Athlone Castle & Visitor Centre
Splendid 12th Century castle with a new 'multi-sensory visitor experience'.
Here you'll find the beautiful monastic ruin of Kilconnel Friary, where Tadhg 0'Kelly who built our castle, is buried. Still used as a cemetery. It looked locked when we went, but it wasn't.
Kilconnell
Here you'll find the beautiful monastic ruin of Kilconnel Friary, where Tadhg 0'Kelly who built our castle, is buried. Still used as a cemetery. It looked locked when we went, but it wasn't.
Interesting museum and delightful gardens. There is a restored early telescope in the grounds, and the tallest box trees you will see. A good half-day out.
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Birr Castle
Interesting museum and delightful gardens. There is a restored early telescope in the grounds, and the tallest box trees you will see. A good half-day out.
In a very pretty and accessible spot, Ballylee Castle was once the home of the poet W.B. Yeats, the famous Irish poet. (Watch out for it being closed!) Tea room and shop.
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Thoor Ballylee Yeats Tower
In a very pretty and accessible spot, Ballylee Castle was once the home of the poet W.B. Yeats, the famous Irish poet. (Watch out for it being closed!) Tea room and shop.
On the shores of Lough Derg. 'Although gutted by fire in 1826,' the guidebook says, 'the Castle is still an imposing example of early 17th Century Irish architecture.' Actually very interesting.
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Portumna Castle Harbour
On the shores of Lough Derg. 'Although gutted by fire in 1826,' the guidebook says, 'the Castle is still an imposing example of early 17th Century Irish architecture.' Actually very interesting.
The doorway of the tiny 12th C. cathedral is 'the crowning achievement of Hiberno-Romanesque style' and has great sandstone carvings. In the modern church nearby is a beautiful wooden 14th C. Madonna.
Clonfert
The doorway of the tiny 12th C. cathedral is 'the crowning achievement of Hiberno-Romanesque style' and has great sandstone carvings. In the modern church nearby is a beautiful wooden 14th C. Madonna.
Large and beautiful area of limestone pavement. 'One of the finest examples of a Glacio-Karst landscape in the world.' Get out of the car and jump over the wildflower-filled cracks or 'grikes'.
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Nacionalni park Burren
2 Church StreetLarge and beautiful area of limestone pavement. 'One of the finest examples of a Glacio-Karst landscape in the world.' Get out of the car and jump over the wildflower-filled cracks or 'grikes'.
Not just the Park, the whole peninsular is very special. A famously beautiful landscape of lakes, hills and coastline. You really need a fine (or at least changeable!) day to bring out the colours.
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Connemara National Park
Not just the Park, the whole peninsular is very special. A famously beautiful landscape of lakes, hills and coastline. You really need a fine (or at least changeable!) day to bring out the colours.
This ruined medieval Augustinian Priory is a National Monument as well as a current cemetery. It has fine limestone carvings and great atmosphere. The 350m track from the road will probably be muddy.
Clontuskert
This ruined medieval Augustinian Priory is a National Monument as well as a current cemetery. It has fine limestone carvings and great atmosphere. The 350m track from the road will probably be muddy.
This is a nostalgic gem, full of everything you can think of from vintage farm machinery and old domestic appliances to wirelesses and cameras. There are fun shop, schoolroom and pharmacy displays.
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Derryglad Folk and Heritage Museum
This is a nostalgic gem, full of everything you can think of from vintage farm machinery and old domestic appliances to wirelesses and cameras. There are fun shop, schoolroom and pharmacy displays.
A major tourist attraction. Standing 214m (702 ft) at their highest point they stretch for 8km (5mi) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare. Spectacular scenery, bird watching, visitor centre etc.
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Cliffs of Moher
A major tourist attraction. Standing 214m (702 ft) at their highest point they stretch for 8km (5mi) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare. Spectacular scenery, bird watching, visitor centre etc.
Shopping
Cut-price supermarket. Bargains on unexpected items you may not want. Aldi and a good Tesco just up the road, off the mini-roundabout.
Lidl
R446Cut-price supermarket. Bargains on unexpected items you may not want. Aldi and a good Tesco just up the road, off the mini-roundabout.
Tricky to find, but worth the effort. Amazing array of perfumes, with glimpses of their production. Cafe, and attractive garden.
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Burren parfumerija
Tricky to find, but worth the effort. Amazing array of perfumes, with glimpses of their production. Cafe, and attractive garden.
Arts & Culture
Traditional Irish music, including some early sessions. Also try Maud Millar's, the Dunlo Tavern, and The Pillar House.
An Tain pub
5 St Michael's SquareTraditional Irish music, including some early sessions. Also try Maud Millar's, the Dunlo Tavern, and The Pillar House.
Everything Else
Five pubs, a general store at the petrol station open early until late 7 days a week, two churches, a post office, a very good butcher's, a garage, and a takeaway (pizzas, burgers, kebabs, curries).
Ahascragh
Five pubs, a general store at the petrol station open early until late 7 days a week, two churches, a post office, a very good butcher's, a garage, and a takeaway (pizzas, burgers, kebabs, curries).
There are boat trips from Athlone on the Shannon river and this massive lake, part of the Shannon river system. Yachting and angling.
Lough Ree
There are boat trips from Athlone on the Shannon river and this massive lake, part of the Shannon river system. Yachting and angling.
The characterful and picturesque 'Latin Quarter' behind the castle is dominated by the imposing St Peter and St Paul church, with wonderful stained glass windows from the Studio of Harry Clarke.
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Athlone
The characterful and picturesque 'Latin Quarter' behind the castle is dominated by the imposing St Peter and St Paul church, with wonderful stained glass windows from the Studio of Harry Clarke.
And of course there's the charming sea-port of Galway City, with its endless festivals of oysters, film, theatre, music and more; the Races; and its legendary night-life. Very cosmopolitan and lively.
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Galway City
And of course there's the charming sea-port of Galway City, with its endless festivals of oysters, film, theatre, music and more; the Races; and its legendary night-life. Very cosmopolitan and lively.
An 18-hole course, 'set in panoramic parkland surroundings, overlooking the majestic Lough Ree'. Next to the 4-star Hodson Bay Hotel. Open to visitors.
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Athlone Golf Club
An 18-hole course, 'set in panoramic parkland surroundings, overlooking the majestic Lough Ree'. Next to the 4-star Hodson Bay Hotel. Open to visitors.
Our local town is best known internationally for its annual Horse Fair in October, the oldest in Europe, which attracts many members of the Irish traveller community as well as thousands of visitors.
Ballinasloe
Our local town is best known internationally for its annual Horse Fair in October, the oldest in Europe, which attracts many members of the Irish traveller community as well as thousands of visitors.