Getting Here and Around

Athlone is one of the Midlands’ largest towns and on busy days its long main street can take 30 minutes to drive end to end. Although the main Dublin N6 motorway has considerably eased congestion, this is still a place where delays are inevitable. Parking is available on the street, in paid lots, and at shopping centers. The drive to Dublin takes two hours, while Galway is 90 minutes west.

With its central location, Athlone is an important Bus Éireann hub with connecting expressway services to more than 20 principal towns and cities as well as dozens of smaller destinations across Ireland. Some routes are operated in conjunction with Ulsterbus. Trains branch out in three main directions from Athlone: southwest to Galway, west to Westport, and east to Dublin. The east–west intercity Irish Rail Galway–Dublin service takes 1¾ hours to reach Dublin.

Contacts

Athlone Railway Station. Southern Station Rd., Athlone, Co. Westmeath. 090/647–3300.