Athlone thread

veryangryman · 14-07-2020 10:24pm

horseofstone wrote: »

I've a question, If you park in an Athlone town council area that has a parking metre which you didn't notice and hence didn't pay for parking does the traffic warden put the parking ticket on your windscreen or do they instead post it to your home address?

They post you a fine and falsely claim that they put one on your windscreen is my experience. I'm suspecting similar.

Claw Hammer · 15-07-2020 11:22am

horseofstone wrote: »

I've a question, If you park in an Athlone town council area that has a parking metre which you didn't notice and hence didn't pay for parking does the traffic warden put the parking ticket on your windscreen or do they instead post it to your home address?

How could you not notice a parking meter?

Plumbthedepths · 15-07-2020 11:35am

Claw Hammer wrote: »

How could you not notice a parking meter?

I'd be more concerned they couldn't see a sign stating paid parking, there are plenty of them around the town in all parking areas the council is responsible for.

Claw Hammer · 15-07-2020 11:39am

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I'd be more concerned they couldn't see a sign stating paid parking, there are plenty of them around the town in all parking areas the council is responsible for.

If they can't see a parking meter, they are a danger on the road. They can't see other road users either.

Demonique · 15-07-2020 1:09pm

Has anyone been to Insomnia? Its a lovely cafe but for some reason its been put in the back of Penneys, they do the best hot chocolate I've had in Ireland, they dont use powder, they have a vat of melted chocolate which they add to milk, divine

Also, there are quite a few people who ignore the signs to keep to the right on the railway walkway and to clean up after their dogs, the not keeping to the right doesnt bother me much, but the scumbags who dont clean up their dogs' ****e deserve a good boot up their collective arses.

FintanMcluskey · 15-07-2020 1:35pm

Demonique wrote: »

Has anyone been to Insomnia? Its a lovely cafe but for some reason its been put in the back of Penneys, they do the best hot chocolate I've had in Ireland, they dont use powder, they have a vat of melted chocolate which they add to milk, divine

Also, there are quite a few people who ignore the signs to keep to the right on the railway walkway and to clean up after their dogs, the not keeping to the right doesnt bother me much, but the scumbags who dont clean up their dogs' ****e deserve a good boot up their collective arses.

I had completely forgot about that insomnia outlet, remarkable to be so hidden away. Costa surely takes most passing custom in golden island.

afkasurfjunkie · 15-07-2020 8:34pm

FintanMcluskey wrote: »

I had completely forgot about that insomnia outlet, remarkable to be so hidden away. Costa surely takes most passing custom in golden island.

I walk by Costa every time to head for insomnia. Better seating, more room for a buggy/kids and coffee is nice too. Toilets are easier to access as well.

dePeatrick · 16-07-2020 2:17am

Demonique wrote: »

Has anyone been to Insomnia? Its a lovely cafe but for some reason its been put in the back of Penneys, they do the best hot chocolate I've had in Ireland, they dont use powder, they have a vat of melted chocolate which they add to milk, divine

Also, there are quite a few people who ignore the signs to keep to the right on the railway walkway and to clean up after their dogs, the not keeping to the right doesnt bother me much, but the scumbags who dont clean up their dogs' ****e deserve a good boot up their collective arses.

Discovered by accident when with OH shopping, really good coffee, have to try the chocolate now

Agreed about dogs fouling the walkways, I have no problem telling them off about it...they don't have much to say!

bobbyss · 23-07-2020 3:29pm

I am not from Athlone but I was on a day trip there recently.

Visited An Luan gallery. Lovely location. Very nice staff. Given a brochure. Brochure must have been font size 8. Did not see any names or numbers on the exhibits so did not know whose work of art was whose. That was very odd.

The nearby church St Paul's (?) has another nice location but when I went inside I found it quite dark and dreary. All the lovely carvings seemed to stop half way upwards and you were left with dull wall from thereon up. But dark and dull inside generally and not in any way upfifting.

The Prince of Wales Hotel for lunch. Polite and attentive staff. Roast beef just lovely. The chips hot but could have been cooked a bit longer. Still 9/10. I would return.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 26-07-2020 11:23pm

I'd imagine that Insomnia cafe is as much there to keep people in Penney's as to draw them to Insomnia itself. They're probably renting that space from Penney's for half of nothing, with the lack of large overheads it has to be making relatively decent money.

pawrick · 27-07-2020 6:43pm

bobbyss wrote: »

I am not from Athlone but I was on a day trip there recently.

Visited An Luan gallery. Lovely location. Very nice staff. Given a brochure. Brochure must have been font size 8. Did not see any names or numbers on the exhibits so did not know whose work of art was whose. That was very odd.

The nearby church St Paul's (?) has another nice location but when I went inside I found it quite dark and dreary. All the lovely carvings seemed to stop half way upwards and you were left with dull wall from thereon up. But dark and dull inside generally and not in any way upfifting.

The Prince of Wales Hotel for lunch. Polite and attentive staff. Roast beef just lovely. The chips hot but could have been cooked a bit longer. Still 9/10. I would return.

I always found that church dreary also (St. Peter and Paul's). The interior and statues inside are modeled on the Basilica in Rome but obviously a lot less ornate. A far nicer church in Athlone imo is the Franciscan Friary not far from The Prince of Wales and close to the river.

The castle isnt a bad place to visit either or to just take pictures from the top of for free, the museum is small but worth a visit and gives information on the seige of Athlone. I'd also recommend a trip out to Glasson village for some pub grub if you visit again.

bobbyss · 28-07-2020 8:58pm

pawrick wrote: »

I always found that church dreary also (St. Peter and Paul's). The interior and statues inside are modeled on the Basilica in Rome but obviously a lot less ornate. A far nicer church in Athlone imo is the Franciscan Friary not far from The Prince of Wales and close to the river.

The castle isnt a bad place to visit either or to just take pictures from the top of for free, the museum is small but worth a visit and gives information on the seige of Athlone. I'd also recommend a trip out to Glasson village for some pub grub if you visit again.

Yes thanks. I will be back. I will for sure check out the castle and that other church you mentioned. Is the Radisson a nice place for a lunch? Can you go on a cruise from Athlone on the Shannon? Any recommendations? Would like that. Not well publicised I think?

There is a small lane way in the town called I think Preachers' Lane. Why is it called that?

A great advantage of Athlone for a day tripper is that the train station is dead centre of the town. Ballinasloe suffers by comparison.

As a day tripper I wonder could more be made of waterside cafes and eateries? On the side opposite the castle going away from the bridge was just emptiness and green fields if memory serves me correct. Huge potential there I would have thought.

Ceirseach · 28-07-2020 10:09pm

bobbyss wrote: »

I am not from Athlone but I was on a day trip there recently.

Visited An Luan gallery. Lovely location. Very nice staff. Given a brochure. Brochure must have been font size 8. Did not see any names or numbers on the exhibits so did not know whose work of art was whose. That was very odd.

The nearby church St Paul's (?) has another nice location but when I went inside I found it quite dark and dreary. All the lovely carvings seemed to stop half way upwards and you were left with dull wall from thereon up. But dark and dull inside generally and not in any way upfifting.

The Prince of Wales Hotel for lunch. Polite and attentive staff. Roast beef just lovely. The chips hot but could have been cooked a bit longer. Still 9/10. I would return.

SS Peter & Paul is overly fussy with too much coloured marble imo. However, there are some Harry Clarke (studio) windows that are beautiful.
The Friary, that pawrick mentioned, also has Harry Clarke (studio) windows.
Come back and visit again. &#55357;&#56846;

FintanMcluskey · 29-07-2020 12:05am

bobbyss wrote: »

Yes thanks. I will be back. I will for sure check out the castle and that other church you mentioned. Is the Radisson a nice place for a lunch? Can you go on a cruise from Athlone on the Shannon? Any recommendations? Would like that. Not well publicised I think?

There is a small lane way in the town called I think Preachers' Lane. Why is it called that?

A great advantage of Athlone for a day tripper is that the train station is dead centre of the town. Ballinasloe suffers by comparison.

As a day tripper I wonder could more be made of waterside cafes and eateries? On the side opposite the castle going away from the bridge was just emptiness and green fields if memory serves me correct. Huge potential there I would have thought.

Met a Shannon cruise boat on the Shannon last weekend so some of the cruises are at least operating. The Viking cruise is the most famous but I'm not sure if its back operating just yet.

The old railway line towards Mullingar is now a cycle greenway, and bike hire is available nearby.

As someone said Glasson nearby is the Gastro capital of Ireland.

veryangryman · 30-07-2020 9:33am

Public Consultation flyers sent in or the Galway to Athlone section of the Greenway. Some meetings being set up on same in Athlone, Ballinasloe etc for the week beginning Aug 10. No route selected yet according to the flyers.

roosterman71 · 30-07-2020 10:03am

I see they have secured funding to explore possible greenways to Shannonbridge and Termonbarry too

Randy Archer · 30-07-2020 12:52pm

Ceirseach wrote: »

SS Peter & Paul is overly fussy with too much coloured marble imo. However, there are some Harry Clarke (studio) windows that are beautiful.
The Friary, that pawrick mentioned, also has Harry Clarke (studio) windows.
Come back and visit again. ��

Ya have to bear in mind when St Peters was built. Just right after the Catholic Eucharist in Ireland and Ireland under Dev was finally removing all vast ages of the Treaty . He was building his catholic Ireland and the RCC at the time built a load of **** off giant size churches at the time

St Peters was never going to be small. As ye know it was to be a replica of The church in Rome , but, without all the real art

It’s obviously an iconic building in Athlone )outside ) funny enough it’s st Mary’s spire which can be scene in all directions of the town and outside it , especially coming in off the Roscommon Rd .

But yah, inside it is weird

Always find it amusing how locals think it’s a cathedral

veryangryman · 31-07-2020 10:31am

roosterman71 wrote: »

I see they have secured funding to explore possible greenways to Shannonbridge and Termonbarry too

Shannonbridge route is fairly nailed down. Following the current railway to Daneshill in Monksland before turning south. A few niggly arguments with residents around Summerhill aside, the route should basically follow a beeline to Shannonbridge from there.

Described in more detail in

https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2019/07/15/athlone-to-galway-cycleway-plan-resurrected/

I says · 31-07-2020 11:01am

veryangryman wrote: »

Shannonbridge route is fairly nailed down. Following the current railway to Daneshill in Monksland before turning south. A few niggly arguments with residents around Summerhill aside, the route should basically follow a beeline to Shannonbridge from there.

Described in more detail in

https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2019/07/15/athlone-to-galway-cycleway-plan-resurrected/

Better off keeping out of the kip that is ballinasloe

05-08-2020 9:30pm

Heading to Athlone for the weekend on Friday week for two nights.Any suggestions what to get up to during the day? Activities,places to visit etc

I says · 06-08-2020 9:25am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Heading to Athlone for the weekend on Friday week for two nights.Any suggestions what to get up to during the day? Activities,places to visit etc

Viking tour(boat trip) if it’s on beside the castle.
Effing covid has the whole thing in a mess.

veryangryman · 06-08-2020 12:52pm

Golden Mile is nice for a short walk, good scenery. Bring some <insert PC food here> and feed the ducks.

Coosan Point/Hodson Bay on Lough Ree for nice views of lake and stuff to do for the kids.

Kens is a nice Chinese Restaurant

Claw Hammer · 06-08-2020 1:00pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Heading to Athlone for the weekend on Friday week for two nights.Any suggestions what to get up to during the day? Activities,places to visit etc

Given that you are about 42, you should visit Clonmacnoise or Rindoon. They are even older than you are and are seriously important cultural sites. The hill of Uisneach with views of 20 counties is nearby also.

Randy Archer · 06-08-2020 1:40pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Heading to Athlone for the weekend on Friday week for two nights.Any suggestions what to get up to during the day? Activities,places to visit etc

Not a lot due to Covid. BUt yes, the Viking boat is a good call , they are operating . The castle is open and have some procedures there, it’s an interesting museum . The art gallery is open.

Could always contact Beallnamulla (Roscommon side of the town ) pitch n putt coarse to see if it’s open. It is within walking distances from Monksland (shuttle bus into town) nothing crazy but will kill some time .I could be wrong, but I believe you don’t have to be a member to play, just play a one off fee

Buckley’s cycles have bike hire so there’s a very nice cycleway of 42km to mullingar. There are exit points On the cycleway that could take you safely to Mount Temple - Glasson (food food food ) The exit point for Hill of Uisneach is at Castletown Station (cycleway About 24 km from athlone ) and is only 4 km from there onto the main road (safe to cycle ) Dead easy to ride and it doesn’t take long regardless of fitness

You could also ride over to Hudson Bay or beyond to Leecarrow to see the hidden medieval town at St Johns/Rindoon (And views of Lough Ree ) (Roscommon side on the N61 road, perfectly safe to cycle , wide hard shoulder on both sides )

Clonmacnoise could also be cycled to, if you ride through quite areas of Clonown and Moore and Shannonbridge - can see the whole Clonmacnoise site And Shannonbridge Bogs from Clonown/drum across the river . theres a wake house at Nure /craobh na marbh

all these can be accessed by staying on the R446 too, plenty of signs (not sure it be wise to use a car to all of these destinations by the back roads mentioned There’s a small bit Of road beyond Clonown church that is hard to cycle or drive on )

Google map/street view is worth a look

Actually the area of Drum is riddled with interesting historic monuments ancient graves, tombs etc - might not be everyone’s cup of tea but kudos to Drum heritage . They have a good website

You could also cycle to Clonmacnoise via Ballinahowen etc but that road is pretty busy Compared to Clonown Moore . Better off driving on that route but again, it’s safe enough to cycle .

These are just outdoor suggestions that won’t costs a lot of money (Viking boat still be a few bob but worth it ) obviously weather permitting too. Obviously cycling is only one way to get there, it’s just a suggestion and can kill a few hours

06-08-2020 9:26pm

Thanks guys for the feed back. Much appreciated

beggars_bush · 06-08-2020 10:27pm

Randy Archer wrote: »

Not a lot due to Covid. BUt yes, the Viking boat is a good call , they are operating . The castle is open and have some procedures there, it’s an interesting museum . The art gallery is open.

Could always contact Beallnamulla (Roscommon side of the town ) pitch n putt coarse to see if it’s open. It is within walking distances from Monksland (shuttle bus into town) nothing crazy but will kill some time .I could be wrong, but I believe you don’t have to be a member to play, just play a one off fee

Buckley’s cycles have bike hire so there’s a very nice cycleway of 42km to mullingar. There are exit points On the cycleway that could take you safely to Mount Temple - Glasson (food food food ) The exit point for Hill of Uisneach is at Castletown Station (cycleway About 24 km from athlone ) and is only 4 km from there onto the main road (safe to cycle ) Dead easy to ride and it doesn’t take long regardless of fitness

You could also ride over to Hudson Bay or beyond to Leecarrow to see the hidden medieval town at St Johns/Rindoon (And views of Lough Ree ) (Roscommon side on the N61 road, perfectly safe to cycle , wide hard shoulder on both sides )

Clonmacnoise could also be cycled to, if you ride through quite areas of Clonown and Moore and Shannonbridge - can see the whole Clonmacnoise site And Shannonbridge Bogs from Clonown/drum across the river . theres a wake house at Nure /craobh na marbh

all these can be accessed by staying on the R446 too, plenty of signs (not sure it be wise to use a car to all of these destinations by the back roads mentioned There’s a small bit Of road beyond Clonown church that is hard to cycle or drive on )

Google map/street view is worth a look

Actually the area of Drum is riddled with interesting historic monuments ancient graves, tombs etc - might not be everyone’s cup of tea but kudos to Drum heritage . They have a good website

You could also cycle to Clonmacnoise via Ballinahowen etc but that road is pretty busy Compared to Clonown Moore . Better off driving on that route but again, it’s safe enough to cycle .

These are just outdoor suggestions that won’t costs a lot of money (Viking boat still be a few bob but worth it ) obviously weather permitting too. Obviously cycling is only one way to get there, it’s just a suggestion and can kill a few hours

Rindoon medieval village/castle and nature walk is a nice spot

Sunny Dayz · 06-08-2020 10:27pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Kens is a nice Chinese Restaurant

AFAIK Ken’s closed and is relocating to a building near the train station. Not sure if they’ve reopened yet.

veryangryman · 07-08-2020 12:08pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

AFAIK Ken’s closed and is relocating to a building near the train station. Not sure if they’ve reopened yet.

Yeah your right actually. Saw the new premesis and assumed open

cena · 07-08-2020 2:23pm

Bad location for the new kens. no parking

veryangryman · 07-08-2020 8:43pm

cena wrote: »

Bad location for the new kens. no parking

When the 60 second walk to the fair green car park is considered "bad location no parking" , i despair.

Athlone thread

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