Athlone, market town, cos. Roscommon and Westmeath, on the river Shannon, 80 miles W. of Dublin and 48 miles E. of Galway by rail, 1129 ac., pop. 6755; P.O., T.O., 2 Banks, 2 newspapers. Market-days, Tuesday and Saturday. It derives its importance chiefly from its garrison being the military headquarters for the west of Ireland, the fort and deptt covering 15 acres. The ancient castle was besieged and captured by the army of William III. in 1691. There is considerable carrying trade with Dublin by means of the Grand and Royal canals, and with Limerick by steamers on the Shannon. There are linen mfrs., several distilleries, flour-mills, and tan-yards. Athlone returned 1 member until 1885.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))