15 Fantastic Things to do this Easter in Athlone 2018

Easter marks the start of spring, and the clocks go forward 1 hour on 25^th March. So, we can look forward to longer brighter days, fresh cut grass and beautiful morning choruses from our native Irish birds.

And here are 15 fantastic things you can do, see and sample this Easter in Athlone 2018.  FREE DOWNLOADABLE FLYER

 

ATHLONE GOLF CLUB’S EASTER FESTIVAL OF GOLF

 

 

Enjoy a weekend of great golfing with our Easter Festival of Golf at Athlone Golf Club from Friday, March 30th until Monday, April 2nd.  Take in panoramic views of Lough Ree carved by natures glacial Eskers, waterways and woodlands. The beauty of Athlone Golf Course is its smooth wavelike fairways; you could play 100 times with a new experience every time.

Book online from March 15th.

Book online at www.athlonegolfclub.ie

 

 

‘Nälkä’ Exhibition

 

 

The launch of the ‘Nälkä’ Exhibition at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Roscommon runs to the end of April 2018. FREE event.

‘Nälkä’ is the Finnish word for ‘Hunger’. This exhibition is one of the very few commemorative events relating to the Great Finnish Famine anywhere in the world.

The Nälkä exhibition examines this catastrophe, its causes and consequences and provides a fascinating insight into the harsh life of 19^th century Finland.

 

 

The Secret Garden Easter Trail

 

Celebrate Easter with us in the idyllic setting of our walled gardens at 1pm – 2:45pm  on Easter Sunday, 1st April. Families will search through the clues in the nooks and crannies of the garden to receive the chocolate egg treasure. Attend the very special Custard Pie Puppet Show at 2pm and visit the spring lambs before catching the parade in Strokestown village at 3pm.

Children must be accompanied by an adult over 16 years of age. €7 per child +€2.50 booking fee. €10 on the day.

ADULTS GO FREE!

Price

Child – €7  Adults – Free

Sunday 1st April 2018 – 1pm – 2:45pm – Strokestown Park Walled Gardens

*Please check Cancellation Policy below before booking online. Booking fee €2.50

1 pm – Meet at Garden Gate for Easter Hunt

2 pm – Puppet Show and Spring Lambs

2.45 pm – Event Finish for the Strokestown parade at 3pm

 

Please bring one of the following:

• Confirmation email in hardcopy or on your mobile phone

CANCELLATION POLICY

Terms and Conditions:

• All children should be accompanied by an adult
• Tickets for this event are non-refundable and not for resale by third parties

 

 

Sheraton Athlone Hotel Easter Egg Hunt

 

 

An excellent spot for lunch in Athlone Town is the Sheraton Bar. They serve succulently delicious Balti Chicken Curry and tasty sharing platters. And with it been Easter, their Kids Camp Leaders have created an Egg Hunt for the kids at 11am. It’s perfect timing, so everyone builds an appetite for their taste fantastic Easter Lunch.

 

 

Glendeer Pet Farm Eggtastic

 

 

This Easter head to Glendeer Pet Farm, Athlone. It is 6 acres of animals, nature walks, and fun for all the family. Children can feed the animals, go on the Easter Egg Hunt, take the obstacle course, make their way through the maze and hang out on the slide, swings, seesaws, and glider swing.

Little tots (under 4 years) enjoy their own chocolate egg hunt for children, ball pool and toddlers play area.

While everyone can enjoy the peaceful nature walk, display of old horse-drawn farm machinery and fresh coffee/tea and delicious home-made treats.

 

Family Fun Tip:- Why not bring a picnic along to enjoy, but beware of the greedy donkey who can spot a picnic bag a mile away & will try to join you, if they don’t the hens will!

 

Easter Event Information

Venue:- Glendeer Pet Farm, Athlone

Classification:-  Easter Family Activities / All Ages

Date:- Easter Weekend – Saturday to Monday

Time:- The fun will start at 15.00 each day this Easter

Admission:-

• Adults – €8.00
• Children – €8.00

Family Fun Tip:- Credit and debit card facilities are Now available at the farm.

Booking Information:- No booking

 

ATHLONE GAA EASTER CAMP

 

This Easter if your kid(s) are interested in GAA skill development in a positive playing environment, Athlone GAA is the place to be. This 2-day Easter Camp gives children the maximum enjoyment from playing Gaelic Games.

It is all happening during the Easter break – March 28th & 29th 10.00am – 2.00pm both days

Activities include Football and Hurling/Camogie

Qualified Coaches

Open to boys and girls from 2nd – 6th class

Facilitating Athlone, Garrycastle and all clubs in the area

 

What to bring: Tracksuit, runners and/or football boots, change of gear for wet days plus packed lunch. Hurl and Helmet essential for those playing hurling/camogie. Gum shield required to play football.

Cost €15.00 per child (to book a place register online here – then bring a print of ‘ticket’ to the camp on March 28th along with the fee of €15).

Note – places are limited, and bookings close at 11.00am on Monday, March 26th. If any spots are available ‘on the day’ the cost to register will be €20

Contact James Heffernan 085 – 7139924

 

 

Easter Cycle

 

 

Why not hop on your bike this Easter to take in the sights and sounds along Athlone Old Rail Cycle Track. It is away from traffic, so it is perfect for kids of all ages to take off on a cycling adventure.

For bicycle rental and parking head to DB Cycles at Garrycastle Spar.

 

Dun na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park

 

 

What’s great about the Athlone’s Old Rail cycle track is when you make it to Moate you and the gang can explore the beautiful park of Dun na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park. There are loads to do, see and learn. It is a Midlands treasure worth visiting.

 

Admission to Park

Adult: €8
Child: €4
OAP/ Student: €6
Family: 2 Adults + up to 3 Children = €20 (each additional child is €4)
Group Rate: On request

Opening Times subject to weather conditions
Heritage Park opens from Saturday 31st March 2018
Heritage Park Opening Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm – 7 days a week

Guided Tours of Heritage Park available. Contact 090 6481 183 for more details.

 

Hodson Bay Hotel Easter Lunch

 

 

If you’re in Athlone on Easter Sunday and looking for somewhere to eat, relax and let the kids off to enjoy yet another awesome Easter Egg Hunt then head to Hodson Bay Hotel. It’s only 10 mins drive from Athlone Town. They’re offering a delicious 3-course Easter Sunday Lunch in their newly refurbished L’Escale Restaurant.

 

 

Viking Cruise

 

 

This is another great thing to do in Athlone. Take a cruise with Viking Mike on the Shannon. You can hop on after your Easter lunch in Hodson Bay heading to Athlone Castle or leave from Athlone Castle to lead deeper into history with a journey to Clonmacnoise early Christian site.

Check www.vikingtoursireland.ie for times and fares.

 

 

Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

 

 

Clonmacnoise is an ancient monastic site and a top visitor attraction in Ireland. It is worth experiencing a walk amongst the peaceful stone ruins to conjure images of the saints and scholars of Ireland’s renowned Golden Age of learning.

There beautifully preserved structures of Clonmacnoise Cathedral, Temple Doolin, Temple Hurpan and Temple Melaghlin to express the authentic sense of the history of Ireland.

To explore the history of Clonmacnoise deeper, visit the on-site interpretive visitor centre. There you can see displays of cross slabs and the 9th century Cross of the Scriptures.

Contact Details 

Address: Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co. Offaly.
Telephone Number: +353 90 9674195.
Fax No.: +353 90 9674273.
For Bookings etc. please e-mail: clonmacnoise@opw.ie

Opening Hours 

2018

Open all Year

November – Mid March: Daily 10:00 – 17:30.
Mid-March – May: Daily 10:00 – 18:00.
June – August: Daily 09:00 – 18.30.
September – October: Daily 10:00 – 18:00.
Closed 25th & 26th December.

The last admission is 45mins before closing.

Average Length of Visit: 1.5 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: The use of drones is not permitted at this site.

Admission Fees 

Adult: €8.00
Group / Senior: €6.00
Child / Student: €4.00
Family: €20.00

Credit/Debit Cards are both accepted.

All groups must be pre-booked.

 

Facilities 

Exhibitions, toilets (including toilet for visitors with disabilities), car and coach park.

Restaurant/Tea Rooms: Tea Room – Seating Capacity: 30 – 40.

 

Athlone Castle

 

 

And if you are around for the mid-term break and in Athlone, this is a journey worth taking. Experience an immersive journey through 5,000 years of history at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre located on the banks of the River Shannon in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.

And afterwards, there is always a pint or a drop of whiskey in Ireland’s oldest pub – Sean’s Bar.

 

General Admission

Adult €8

Senior / Student €6 pp

Children / U15 years €4 (Children under 4 years are FREE)

Family (2 adults & 2 children) €20

Family (2 adults & 4 children) €25

St Peter’s Square, Athlone, County Westmeath, N37 A6D7

Phone

+353 90 6442130

Email

info@athlonecastle.ie

 

 

Shannon Banks Walks

 

 

Or maybe you are just looking to create your own experiences, then the Shannon Banks Walk is the way to go. This nature trail walk starts at the rear of Athlone Castle and is approximately 5kms long. It is a looped bi-directional walk which takes you along the banks of the River Shannon and the old Athlone Canal.

There are four information boards along the trail detailing flora, fauna, wildlife and fish that are along the walk.

 

 

Family Kite Day

 

 

‘Let’s go fly a kite!’ Visit the parklands in front of Strokestown Park House, get yourself a kite and make some memories in the beautiful setting of Strokestown Park. Family fun guaranteed!

Price: Free of charge (Kites provided)

Location: Strokestown Park parklands

Time: 12 until 4

 

 

 

 

Lough Boora Discovery Park

 

 

Lough Boora Discovery Park is the ultimate park with something for everyone. From walking, cycling, angling & fishing, birdwatching to the wonderfully mysterious fairy trail and fantastic sculptures raising from the landscape. Lough Boora is a uniquely different experience. Plus, great coffee/tea and mouth-watering goodness in Catoca Café.

A great day out for everyone!

 

Visit – Eat – See & Do – Stay

 

We hope you enjoy these 15 Fantastic Things to do this Easter in Athlone 2018. And if you are looking for some restful overnight escapes for you and your other half or your family, check out Sheraton Athlone Hotel and Hodson Bay Hotel. We would love to see you visit us in the heart of Ireland.