Athlone Castle Visitor Centre to close for nine months

Redevelopment project supported by €3.2m Just Transition funding

Athlone Castle Visitor Centre is to close to the public for at least nine months as part of a multi-million euro redevelopment project, it has emerged.

The visitor centre will close to the public from Sunday, October 19, and is expected to re-open in Autumn of next year, although the estimated reopening date is subject to confirmation.

Westmeath County Council will be undertaking necessary improvement works at the site as part of a redevelopment project, supported by €3.2 million in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund.

Athlone Arts & Tourism said in a statement this week: "The project will focus on revitalising Athlone Castle to provide a more enhanced visitor experience. Works will include significant upgrades to ageing utilities and mechanical systems, a reconfiguration of the visitor centre layout and interpretation, and enhancements to the courtyard, reception and retail areas."

"The anticipated reopening is Autumn 2026, although this date is subject to confirmation. Athlone Arts & Tourism will share updates throughout the project and in advance of reopening on social media channels and the Athlone Castle website."

Athlone Arts & Tourism has encouraged use of the town's other facilities during the closure of the visitor centre, such as events at the Luan Gallery, the Dean Crowe Theatre and Athlone Little Theatre, a river cruise, water activities or a variety of leisure sports, the cycelway, shopping, guided tours, local heritage or dining at the many fabulous restaurants and enjoying the town's bustling nightlife.

Tenders for the redevelopment project were advertised this Summer with contracts expected to be signed in November at that stage.

According to the tender documents, the enhancement project "aims to deliver a clearly organised and highly engaging visitor experience, enhancing Athlone Castle's position as a flagship cultural attraction within the Hidden Heartlands region and a vital component of the Athlone destination experience.

It aims to reflect and enhance the history of the castle and the town with a reconfigured visitor journey through authentic historic spaces, engaging with unique artefacts, compelling media and interactive opportunities for all ages and abilities.

"The project proposes improvements to the visitor journey and experience at Athlone Castle. The core project is to provide interpretation, facilities, and visitor journey enhancements, which will revitalise Athlone Castle to deliver an engaging, enjoyable, accessible, and memorable experience to our visitors," the documents state.

Among the elements outlined in the base-build construction and conservation works are localised works to the existing fabric to reveal original materiality, windows etc; fabric conservation works where required; adaptations to existing fabric to facilitate ticketing (pending statutory consents); a new staircase and relocation of existing staircase; and widening openings.

This section of the revamp will also entail a new coffee kiosk/pantry kitchen, and new retail and staff accommodation; new flooring and joinery/painting works; and comprehensive upgrades to heating, electrics, lighting and audio visual display.

This contract will involve the provision of a 'shell' ready to receive the exhibition and interpretation fit-out by others, and the provision of a 'shell' ready to receive the fitted furniture installed by others.

The base build and conservation works contract is intended to move ahead prior to the exhibition and fit-out/joinery contractors work.

The exhibition and joinery/fit-out works will be predominantly interior spaces of the Keep, Barracks and Armoury spaces, with some external wayfinding and interpretation elements, according to the tender documents.

While final proposals are in development, these works will include 3D design works, including showcases and housing for digital media and other installations or props; 2D design works including graphic printworks, substrate and mounting; exhibition lighting, ; and AV, monitors and projections hardware and installation.

It will also involve external interpretation, signage and wayfinding labeling and installations; mounts and display casing for objects, props, dressing as required.

The joinery/furniture will include fitted furniture for new reception/ticketing, storage, archive, lockers, staff accommodation, coffee kiosk and retail space.

The project will involve seven internal spaces for exhibition fit out totaling 426m2; three internal spaces for transition/exhibition totaling 150-165m2; external areas for interpretative material; one externalised room (armoury) 31m2 and five principal external spaces covering 295m2.