Epic live chess battle for children!

Athlone Castle is inviting children to take part in Checkmate! An Epic Live Chess Battle during National Heritage Week 2026.

The exciting free chess event takes place on Sunday, August 23 at 2.30pm.

It's being described as an epic live chess battle between the Connaught and Leinster sides of Athlone bringing the ancient game of chess to life for a modern audience.

The location at the public park at Abbey Road Graveyard is located near Athlone Castle and the River Shannon. This symbolic setting, linking landscape, history, and community, provides the ideal backdrop to reimagine Athlone’s friendly Connaught–Leinster rivalry.

Children aged seven to fourteen are invited to sign up to participate in the event, during which they will don medieval-style costume props and step onto the board as life-size pieces, directed by youth players from Athlone-based clubs.

The Castle team is delighted to collaborate with Jonathan O’Connor, CC-IM, Chess Bud Partner, Chess Coach & Irish Senior Champion, who will be on-hand on the day to guide what promises to be a dramatic contest of strategy and skill.

Once checkmate is declared, spectators will be invited to step forward and play their own games, either on the life-size chessboard or at standard chess stations in the area.

Booking in advance here is required only for children who wish to take part as the live chess pieces.

This project has been supported with funding from The Heritage Council.