Athlone thread

adox · 16-10-2018 6:51pm

Thanks everyone. Appreciated. Booked into the Sheraton.

First night is my wife’s birthday so the four of us will head out for dinner somewhere.

Any recommendations for good restaurants? We pretty much eat every cuisine. A

Apologies if I’m cluttering up the thread and these questions are asked regularly.

Edit. Just seen in the post above that we right beside the Fatted Calf. Looks nice.

flazio · 16-10-2018 8:29pm

You mind me asking why the Prince of Wales was ruled out?

demanufactured · 16-10-2018 8:37pm

adox wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Appreciated. Booked into the Sheraton.

First night is my wife’s birthday so the four of us will head out for dinner somewhere.

Any recommendations for good restaurants? We pretty much eat every cuisine. A

Apologies if I’m cluttering up the thread and these questions are asked regularly.

Edit. Just seen in the post above that we right beside the Fatted Calf. Looks nice.

Indian?
Silver oaks is just down past the Prince

adox · 16-10-2018 10:09pm

flazio wrote: »

You mind me asking why the Prince of Wales was ruled out?

Meeting with family from Galway so was a joint decision. Sheraton and Raddison were the front runners from the other side so went with that.

veryangryman · 16-10-2018 11:53pm

adox wrote: »

Heading to Athlone for a couple of nights next week to meet with some family.

Looking to stay in a fairly central hotel so have it narrowed down to The Sheridan or The Radisson. Are they much of a muchness or anyone recommend one above the other?

Both central. Radison nearer river and social bars, sheraton closer to shops.

Saying that its a 4 min walk from one to the other. Personally i prefer Radison, less notionsy

White lighting · 17-10-2018 8:39am

adox wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Appreciated. Booked into the Sheraton.

First night is my wife’s birthday so the four of us will head out for dinner somewhere.

Any recommendations for good restaurants? We pretty much eat every cuisine. A

Apologies if I’m cluttering up the thread and these questions are asked regularly.

Edit. Just seen in the post above that we right beside the Fatted Calf. Looks nice.

Di Bella is lovely too and right beside the main watering holes if ye plan on having a few

veryangryman · 17-10-2018 8:59am

Anyone recommend a place that sells good thermostatic showers in Athlone area?

Sunny Dayz · 17-10-2018 9:59am

adox wrote: »

Any recommendations for good restaurants? We pretty much eat every cuisine.

I couldn't be sure if the Fatted Calf opens in the evening, anyone I know who's been lately has gone for lunch.

Thyme Restaurant is IMO one of the nicest restaurants in Athlone, perfect for a birthday dinner (went there last month for our wedding anniversary).

Another person mentioned Di Bella - another plus one for there - the type of place which you know you can't go wrong - we had visitors a few weeks ago and one of them can be a little picky about what she eats, and they couldn't fault a thing. It's a real crowd pleaser, and loved by locals.

The Kin Khao is supposed to be brilliant for Thai, one of my friends loves it.

Anyone know if Hatters is still open and what is it like?

tubos · 17-10-2018 7:37pm

How long is McDonalds at Kilmartins closed for, does anybody know??

flazio · 17-10-2018 9:07pm

If it's like the Tullamore one, I'd say a couple of weeks. Probably installing the new self service touchscreens I'm seeing pop up everywhere.

boredatwork82 · 17-10-2018 10:43pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I couldn't be sure if the Fatted Calf opens in the evening, anyone I know who's been lately has gone for lunch.

Thyme Restaurant is IMO one of the nicest restaurants in Athlone, perfect for a birthday dinner (went there last month for our wedding anniversary).

Another person mentioned Di Bella - another plus one for there - the type of place which you know you can't go wrong - we had visitors a few weeks ago and one of them can be a little picky about what she eats, and they couldn't fault a thing. It's a real crowd pleaser, and loved by locals.

The Kin Khao is supposed to be brilliant for Thai, one of my friends loves it.

Anyone know if Hatters is still open and what is it like?

Hatters can be a bit hit and miss.
Kin Khao is gorgeous. As well as Al Mezza the Lebanese restaurant. Thyme also gets very good reviews from lots of people.

sam ford · 18-10-2018 4:29am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Boxer, of course.

Michael D would be better suited to that role,

flazio · 21-10-2018 12:11pm

Do the town buses just pick people up from anywhere on their route or are there marked bus stops?

veryangryman · 21-10-2018 5:16pm

flazio wrote: »

Do the town buses just pick people up from anywhere on their route or are there marked bus stops?

Some bus stops and some places they just pull over (but the stop itself is a fixed location)

TimHorton · 22-10-2018 7:48am

flazio wrote: »

If it's like the Tullamore one, I'd say a couple of weeks. Probably installing the new self service touchscreens I'm seeing pop up everywhere.

Was out the way on Sunday - Place completely gutted , Sign says reopening at the End of November , Looks like they are attaching a new roof directly on top of the old one !

Mearings · 22-10-2018 11:13am

veryangryman wrote: »

Some bus stops and some places they just pull over (but the stop itself is a fixed location)

The Athlone bus service is our little secret. A blow-in would not know that if you need go to Garrycastle by A1 or A2 you wait for half an hour or whenever outside the Methodist Chapel in Northgate Street.

Steven81 · 22-10-2018 9:03pm

Talking about the bus service i see there is another pull in for the bus near the Shack blocking most of the road, lucky there wont be too many getting on/ off there as it would be a nightmare.

Its not as though traffic is quiet around that area.

veryangryman · 22-10-2018 10:05pm

Steven81 wrote: »

Talking about the bus service i see there is another pull in for the bus near the Shack blocking most of the road, lucky there wont be too many getting on/ off there as it would be a nightmare.

Its not as though traffic is quiet around that area.

Could be a good thing. Crossing that road is nightmarish. Alot of cars but not quite enough to slow it down. Crossing towards Heavins you can be waiting 5 minutes. The bus slowing down the traffic can be a good thing, a good few living and working that direction these days.
I say that as a man too lazy to walk/cycle most days

dueyfinster · 02-11-2018 3:49pm

Rasmus wrote: »

Ok! So the Daybreak is dead. What's going in there?!

Personally I never had a good experience in that shop. Staff always rude. Not sorry to see it go if I'm honest.

L.Jenkins · 02-11-2018 4:37pm

dueyfinster wrote: »

Personally I never had a good experience in that shop. Staff always rude. Not sorry to see it go if I'm honest.

Not just that, but it was in the worst conceivable location possible if it's the one near the train station we're talking about. No where convenient to park and run in and back out again. I wouldn't worry too much about the staff.

Otherwise, if I were in that area, I'd rather stop in Griffins Shop or Apple Green, depending on what direction I was going.

The unit itself would be best served being used as something else, like an office for Accountants, Solicitors etc.

Blanco100 · 03-11-2018 12:29pm

can anyone recommend somewhere in athlone decent to watch a football match that serves good food? from about 5pm today?

Blanco100 · 03-11-2018 12:30pm

can anyone recommend somewhere in athlone decent to watch a football match that serves good food? from about 5pm today?

dueyfinster · 03-11-2018 2:49pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

can anyone recommend somewhere in athlone decent to watch a football match that serves good food? from about 5pm today?

In centre of town you could try Murphy's Law or Gerties. Also The Shack if your out the Dublin Road side.

Rasmus · 03-11-2018 8:48pm

L.Jenkins wrote: »

Not just that, but it was in the worst conceivable location possible if it's the one near the train station we're talking about. No where convenient to park and run in and back out again. I wouldn't worry too much about the staff.

Otherwise, if I were in that area, I'd rather stop in Griffins Shop or Apple Green, depending on what direction I was going.

The unit itself would be best served being used as something else, like an office for Accountants, Solicitors etc.

It's reopened as a shop again with cheaper 'sale' products. Deli as before, maybe not as big. I asked the very friendly girl behind the counter if it was still the Daybreak and she said yes. Not sure if she knew what I meant though.

adox · 08-11-2018 8:43pm

Just wanted to say we had a great few days in Athlone. Booked the penthouse suite in The Sheraton as it was the Mrs birthday.

Went to Bacchus for dinner for her birthday which was average at best. Staff were very good, nice room and lovely location by the river but the food was mediocre. Still we had a nice night in there.

The second night we went for the early bird in The Fatted Calf and it really was fantastic. The food was really really good. Best meal I’ve had in a long time. I enjoyed the food so much I went up to the two young women who were the chefs in the open kitchen and thanked them for the food and told them how much we all enjoyed it.

Did a few pubs around the town with the highlight bring Gerties for quirkinesses and atmosphere. Had a great chat with the owner about everything from the history of the pub to his own personal history and a plethora of other things.
I have to say all the pubs we were in , the staff were very friendly and welcoming.

Did a bit of culture one of the afternoons with a visit to the castle, a 90 minute boat trip on the Shannon(which was excellent, free tea and coffee and blankets to keep warm, sold beer and spirits at reasonable prices). The captain gave some great history and stories as we sailed along. Was a brilliant way to spent and hour and a half and well worth the money.
Visited the new art gallery across the road from it. The building itself was more interesting than its exhibits, which did nothing for me. Still it was free to visit.
Also visited the large church/cathedral beside it. I’m not religious at all but they are always interesting buildings to visit.
While it was a beautiful building, the opulence in it, the huge amounts of marble etc left me feeling a little uncomfortable.

On out first afternoon we had a brilliant lunch in a tiny little cafe that I can’t remember the name of. All homemade stuff, lots of vegan food etc. The food was really great.

Did some shopping too with the centre attached to the hotel and also pottered in and out of the shops as we went along the streets.

We really enjoyed the mini break we had in Athlone, as did my sister and brother in law who we met up with.

Thanks again to all here who chimed in with advice to my questions before we went.

tractorporn · 13-11-2018 12:38pm

Can anyone recommend a decent estate agent in Athlone or ones to avoid. Just looking to get the house valued atm.

Mac0783 · 13-11-2018 12:49pm

Joe Naughton. Have you checked the property price register to see what houses in your area have sold for recently? Also check daft, might give you some steer.

Rasmus · 13-11-2018 12:51pm

tractorporn wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a decent estate agent in Athlone or ones to avoid. Just looking to get the house valued atm.

There are indeed ones to avoid but unfortunately not a good idea to share. However, Joe Naugton
Is a good guy with a great track record.

tractorporn · 13-11-2018 12:52pm

Mac0783 wrote: »

Joe Naughton. Have you checked the property price register to see what houses in your area have sold for recently? Also check daft, might give you some steer.

Yeah we've been keeping an eye on Daft, only thing is we're in a townhouse and there's not too many of them around. They're finishing our estate atm and if the price is decent we would be tempted to sell.

TheRiverman · 13-11-2018 1:26pm

Saint_Mel wrote: »

Ticketmaster relocating to SuperValu on the Ballymahon road

A good place for it,plenty of space and car park,but just not the same since Music World closed.Had some good craic over the years queuing at both the old Shopping Centre and Golden Island.They always had lots of tickets printed off before they opened so they got people in and out quickly,and before the computerisation they had a big bundle of tickets ready to go when they opened.
Glad it's gone from the hole in the wall at Daybreak.They were so slow to get tickets out.

Mac0783 · 13-11-2018 2:58pm

tractorporn wrote: »

Yeah we've been keeping an eye on Daft, only thing is we're in a townhouse and there's not too many of them around. They're finishing our estate atm and if the price is decent we would be tempted to sell.

Are you west or east of town? There's seems to be a crazy variation on the prices. Stalking Daft is a favourite pastime of mine and now with the property price register, i have my own little fantasy property portfolio on the go

tractorporn · 13-11-2018 3:32pm

Mac0783 wrote: »

Are you west or east of town? There's seems to be a crazy variation on the prices. Stalking Daft is a favourite pastime of mine and now with the property price register, i have my own little fantasy property portfolio on the go

East side beside Woodville. My wife is the same spends most nights scrolling through Daft. Donedeal is my poison.

Saint_Mel · 13-11-2018 4:18pm

TheRiverman wrote: »

A good place for it,plenty of space and car park,but just not the same since Music World closed.Had some good craic over the years queuing at both the old Shopping Centre and Golden Island.They always had lots of tickets printed off before they opened so they got people in and out quickly,and before the computerisation they had a big bundle of tickets ready to go when they opened.
Glad it's gone from the hole in the wall at Daybreak.They were so slow to get tickets out.

AFAIK the guy that was running that shop is now running the Ticketmaster counter in SuperValu ... any time I was in SuperValu around concert ticket selling time, there seemed to be a bit of a queue and kerfuffle around that counter

TheRiverman · 13-11-2018 5:04pm

Saint_Mel wrote: »

AFAIK the guy that was running that shop is now running the Ticketmaster counter in SuperValu ... any time I was in SuperValu around concert ticket selling time, there seemed to be a bit of a queue and kerfuffle around that counter

I didn't know that,haven't had to buy any tickets sinceTicketmaster moved there.

FlicFlak · 21-11-2018 5:36pm

Any word on when those traffic lights at the Roscommon road are being switched on? Its been a few weeks now and still nothing!

demanufactured · 21-11-2018 9:01pm

FlicFlak wrote: »

Any word on when those traffic lights at the Roscommon road are being switched on? Its been a few weeks now and still nothing!

It's a comedy show.
Joke of a country to get anything done.
Look at how ling they have been arsing about with church at, and Center Parcs is already near finished.

21-11-2018 9:10pm

demanufactured wrote: »

It's a comedy show.
Joke of a country to get anything done.
Look at how ling they have been arsing about with church at, and Center Parcs is already near finished.

I just found an image of the last traffic management planning meeting.

4ensic15 · 21-11-2018 9:11pm

Mac0783 wrote: »

Are you west or east of town? There's seems to be a crazy variation on the prices. Stalking Daft is a favourite pastime of mine and now with the property price register, i have my own little fantasy property portfolio on the go

It is the old story in Athlone. Never buy a house on the far side.

pawrick · 22-11-2018 1:00am

demanufactured wrote: »

It's a comedy show.
Joke of a country to get anything done.
Look at how ling they have been arsing about with church at, and Center Parcs is already near finished.

Probably trying to figure out where to stick a speed bump or two in

Meritor · 23-11-2018 3:45pm

Hi,

I want to hire a Santa for kids party in Athlone on 1st December.
I would need Santa just for an hour or less.
Any suggestions on where to find someone who comes as Santa and how much will it cost me?
Looking for a budget option.

nice_guy80 · 24-11-2018 1:06pm

Meritor wrote: »

Hi,

I want to hire a Santa for kids party in Athlone on 1st December.
I would need Santa just for an hour or less.
Any suggestions on where to find someone who comes as Santa and how much will it cost me?
Looking for a budget option.

hire a suit from the fancy dress shop
look for a volunteer

MadYaker · 27-11-2018 6:48pm

Anyone know where I could buy cheese cloth in Athlone?

Mac0783 · 28-11-2018 11:15am

Burgess or Allens would be your best bet

veryangryman · 30-11-2018 4:32pm

demanufactured wrote: »

It's a comedy show.
Joke of a country to get anything done.
Look at how ling they have been arsing about with church at, and Center Parcs is already near finished.

Lights are on this week.

Church St to be completed in December as per the plan.

Mixed views on both, but the car ain't king no more and we best get used to it.

cena · 11-12-2018 1:55am

AXA branch Athlone permanently closed.

Anyone know the reason?

Saint_Mel · 11-12-2018 10:12am

cena wrote: »

AXA branch Athlone permanently closed.

Anyone know the reason?

Just seen a message on the website saying its closed and the nearest branch is Mullingar

tractorporn · 11-12-2018 10:59am

cena wrote: »

AXA branch Athlone permanently closed.

Anyone know the reason?

No there's an axa insurance office in our building. Above coffee haven. I met staff in the hallway at lunchtime yesterday.

Sunny Dayz · 11-12-2018 4:34pm

cena wrote: »

AXA branch Athlone permanently closed.

Anyone know the reason?

They've closed a lot of their branches around the country - Tullamore, Loughrea, Carrick on Shannon, a few Dublin ones. They have downsized many of the others. Moving the work to call centres and online. Quite a few people have lost their jobs around the country and it never made the news.

Sunny Dayz · 11-12-2018 4:35pm

tractorporn wrote: »

No there's an axa insurance office in our building. Above coffee haven. I met staff in the hallway at lunchtime yesterday.

AFAIK that's the Axa farm insurance. Not sure if it's just a call centre like the one out by Kilmartins or if it's open to the public.

tractorporn · 11-12-2018 5:09pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

AFAIK that's the Axa farm insurance. Not sure if it's just a call centre like the one out by Kilmartins or if it's open to the public.

It will have to be open. Farmers don't do call centres.

Athlone thread

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