ABOVE: Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran pictured in April 2025 holding a design image showing the planned public realm enhancement works at Athlone Castle, along with Cllr John Gibbons, left, and then Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena. LEFT: Plans are underway for public toilets to be installed at Athlone Marina.

Fifteen capital projects valued at €150m now underway in Athlone area

Ronan Fagan

Published: Tue 24 Feb 2026, 1:12 PM

Last updated: Tue 24 Feb 2026, 1:24 PM

Capital projects at a projected value of approximately €150m, are due to come to fruition in the Athlone-Moate Municipal District (AMMD) by the second quarter of 2027.

Councillors received a detailed presentation on the progress of all 15 capital projects at the monthly meeting of the AMMD, including the estimated costings and expected conclusion date for each project.

The District's two major capital projects, the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme and the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme are now at the end stage of their construction process and reflect an expected €146m of investment in the town's infrastructure.

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Plans are underway for public toilets to be installed at Athlone Marina.

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Design work on a major capital enhancement of Athlone’s Burgess Park, pictured, is 50% complete, councillors heard.

Councillors were informed that the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme project was now "100% complete", while works on the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme are at "99%" of their construction phase.

Athlone Castle Public Realm

Works on the Athlone Castle Public Realm are expected to conclude in May of this year. Having started in June 2025, the total projected value for these works is estimated to be €1.4m. Funding for the project has been secured from a number of bodies, Board Failte, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Office of Public Works and Westmeath County Council. The works, which are now 50% complete, include a planned overhaul of the public space around the castle entrance, and at the front of the castle alongside the River Shannon.

Streamstown Cycle Track

Funding for the extension of the Streamstown Cycle Track was secured in November 2025 with works expected to start in Q1 of 2026. The total project value is €137,000 with funding of €100,000 secured from CLÁR and match funding of €37,000 from the Council's financial resources. The 600-metre cycle track extension will start at the entrance to Jack's Stop restaurant and is part of an overall 1.2km project. The project is at the design phase at present. With an expected duration of 18 months, the project is expected to conclude in Q2 of 2027.

Ranelagh Way Enhancement

Work on the enhancement of Ranelagh Way on the west side of Athlone is expected to commence in Q2 of 2026. The total value for the project is expected to be €90,000 with the relevant funding secured from the 2024 Community Recognition Fund. The project is currently at the design phase with an expected completion date of November 2026.

Connaught Street Car Park

Work on the redevelopment of the Connaught Street Car Park is expected to commence in Q1 of 2026. The projected cost for works is €100,000 with the council providing its own funding resources towards the works. The council is also hopeful of securing funding from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) for use of nature based solutions as part of the project. The project is currently at the design phase and upon its commencement is expected to take one year to complete.

Burgess Park Enhancement

Design work on the enhancement of Burgess Park, with a projected total spend of €35,000, commenced in Q4 of 2025 with an expected duration of four months. The council said the aim of this project is to reimagine Burgess Park as a more community-focused, inclusive and flexible space. An early public consultation on the Burgess Park Public Amenity Masterplan, marked the first step in what could become a major redevelopment of one of Athlone’s key public spaces. Despite the significance of the project, public engagement with the consultation has been limited. When submissions on the Burgess Park Public Amenity Masterplan Project closed in late January there were just five submissions from the public. The council were informed that the design project is now 50% complete.

Coosan Point Enhancement

An Enhancement Design for the amenity space at Coosan Point is also in progress having started in Q4 of 2025.

The total project funding is €54,500 with €49,050 secured from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The council provided the outstanding sum. The design project is now 50% complete and is expected to conclude at the end of Q1 2026.

Portlick

The Portlick Improvements capital project started in November 2023 and is expected to conclude at the end of Q1 this year. The total project value is €70,000 with funding of €60,000 secured from ORIS. The council has contributed €10,000 in funding from its own resources towards the project. A number of different colour trail routes have been enhanced with the installation of relevant signage now in its final stages. Progress on the project was hampered in early 2025 by Storm Éowyn but it is now at 95% of completion.

Portaneena Enhancement

The Portaneena Enhancement project commenced in 2024 with an expected conclusion date of April 2026. The total project value is €35,250 with funding of €30,000 secured from ORIS. The council contributed €5,250 funding to the project. The amenity has been enhanced with an improved walking trail, a shoreline trail and appropriate interpretive and behavioural signage. Storm Éowyn caused some setbacks to progress but the project is now 95% complete.

Creggan Trailhead

Work on the Creggan Trailhead of the Crosswood Bog trail is at the design phase and is expected to commence in Q1 of 2026. The total project value is €44,250, work on site including the provision of a seated picnic area, car and bicycle parking, a new fence and a locked gate (to deter dumping). Interpretive signage is also included in the works. Funding of €40,000 for the project has been secured from ORIS, the council committing their own resources for the outstanding amount. The project is expected to last 18 months with a conclusion date of Q1 2027.

Town Centre Toilet

The Town Centre Public Toilet at Athlone Marina has a total project value of €50,000. The council has provided its own funding resources for the project which is expected to commence in Q1 of 2026. The expected time duration for the project is six to eight months with the facility open to the public by August of this year.

Ballinahown Greenway

The Greenway Last Mile Connections at Ballinahown is a project which is expected to be of 18 months duration. The project is expected to cost €57,500 and commenced in August 2025. Funding of €50,000 for the project was secured from ORIS with the council providing €7,500 of its own resources towards the initiative.

Castle and Bridge Lighting

The Athlone Castle and Town Bridge Lighting project is currently at the design phase. There is no expected completion date for the project which is deemed to be a major infrastructural undertaking. The delivery of all lighting will follow the completion of the public realm scheme, which will be of six to nine months duration and will be subject to cost confirmation and budget and contractor availability.

Ballynacargy Enhancement Plan

The total project value for the Ballynacargy Enhancement Plan is €555,000. Funding of €500,000 was secured from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the project with the Council providing the outstanding amount from its own resources.

Works on the project are focused on the town's main street and square with an expected duration process of 18 months.

The Council are currently seeking design consultants for the project which is expected to commenced in Q1 of 2026.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme