Athlone Castle

We are working on the detailed design of improvements to Athlone castle to enhance the visitor experience and to provide new facilities for exhibitions.

Location
Athlone Castle, Ireland

Completed
2026

Client
Westmeath County Council

Galmstrup Architects have been commissioned by Westmeath County Council to deliver enhancement works for Athlone Castle, in the centre of Ireland. The project encompasses conservation works, new facilities for exhibitions, improved accessibility, reconfiguration of spaces to support an active year-round programme and new exhibition fit-out.

We lead a multi-disciplinary team delivering architecture, conservation, visitor experience, and interpretation design through our in-house expertise. This includes managing the full design team including all engineering, Health & Safety PSDP, DAC & Fire and successfully achieving all consents including; Part 8, Ministerial Consent and Building Control.

The large castle with a relatively modest budget meant that we needed to make careful judgements about where best to make improvements and adjustments. We have been able to, alongside the client, make good value judgements about where to make interventions. We have thoroughly researched materials to find results which work well with and enhance the historic fabric while getting good value.

The project is currently at tender stage and is anticipated to start on site early 2026.

Sustainability

Reuse is central to our values. Where possible, we promote the reuse of buildings and make carefully judged improvements and adjustments to improve accessibility and reduce energy use. Through our experience, we have carried out extensive research of suitable materials and building systems to to reduce energy use in old buildings. 

History

Athlone castle was built in 1210 by Bishop John de Gray for King John to control a vital river crossing on the River Shannon (Ireland’s longest river). This links nicely to another Norman castle on the River Shannon which we are also working on - King John’s Castle in Limerick city. Since then it has had various uses before coming to the OPW in 1970 who set about restoring it and opening it as a visitor centre.

Engagement

Working hand-in-glove with the Castle team and local historians we ensure that the design meets the end users needs. Important operation and content improvements were taken on board and incorporated into the design.

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