DOCSLIB.ORG

Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan Athlone Town Council ATHLONE TOWN COUNCIL ATHLONE TOWN WALLS AND DEFENCES CONSERVATION PLAN OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY NOVEMBER 2005 Athlone Town Council Athlone Town Council FOREWORD Athlone, Co. Westmeath is one of the primary locations in the history of Ireland and possesses standing remains of the defences that enabled it to survive to the present day. It straddles the River Shannon and was an important crossing point and gateway on the waterways of the centre of the country. For this reason, it was a critical strategic location and played a role in every important invasion of Ireland. A bridge was built and a castle to guard the bridge, in medieval times. Subsequently, stone walls were constructed round the east side of the town, sealing it to the bank of the river. In the 17th century earthen ramparts were constructed around the west side of the town, and bastions were added to the walls of the east town. Further defences in the form of batteries were added to the west town in the early 19th century. However during the 19th and 20th centuries, the walls and defences have gradually been pulled down and removed, through the growth of the town. Only small sections remain, together with indicators of the positions of the walls. It is imperative to preserve these to ensure the survival of the physical elements of the history of Athlone. A conservation plan has been prepared to create policies for the conservation of the walls and defences and to put forward strategies to raise the image and public awareness of these important monuments. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This conservation plan has been compiled by Rosemary Wheeler with the encouraging assistance of Bernadette Guest of Westmeath County Council. Valuable background information was provided by Dr. Harman Murtagh, Gearóid O’Brien and Donal O’Brien, whom were all most generous with their time. Additional assistance in the composing of the conservation plan was kindly provided by Julian Munby. Oxford Archaeology November 2005 Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan i Athlone Town Council Oxford Archaeology Oxford Archaeology is the largest archaeological practice in Britain, with bases in Oxford (formerly Oxford Archaeological Unit) and Lancaster (Oxford Archaeology North). Formed in 1973 from an amalgamation of local archaeological committees, the Oxford Archaeological Unit was a pioneer in contracting archaeology throughout England, and has recently undertaken major field projects in France and Turkey, and consultancy work in a number of countries, including Ireland. The work of Oxford Archaeology comprises the full range of field survey, prospection, and excavation, heritage management, buildings and industrial archaeology. Oxford Archaeology t: (44) 1865 263800 Janus House, f: (44) 1865 793496 Osney Mead, e: [email protected] OXFORD OX2 0ES w: www.oxfordarch.co.uk Oxford Archaeology North t: (44) 1524 848666 Storey Institute, f: (44) 1524 848606 Meeting House Lane e: [email protected] LANCASTER LA1 1TF w: www.oxfordarch.co.uk Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan ii Athlone Town Council EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The prominence of Athlone as an historic town and visitor destination demands the appropriate treatment of its public monuments. Efforts to sustain both the standing and buried heritage of the medieval and later town are imperative for the preservation of the history of Athlone. The history and associations of the Town Walls are of great interest to Athlone as part of the new town centre re-development and are of particular significance, together with the role they can play now and in the future as facilities of public recreation and learning. A Conservation Plan is now required to form the basis of an integrated and agreed strategy for the future management and repair of the walls and defences and of the sites of their previous locations. The conservation plan has created policies for the conservation of the walls and defences and puts forward strategies to raise the image and public awareness of these important monuments. Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan iii Athlone Town Council ATHLONE TOWN WALLS AND DEFENCES CONSERVATION PLAN Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................... 1 2 UNDERSTANDING THE MONUMENT ............................................................................................. 4 2.1 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 REVIEW OF SOURCES .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 PREVIOUS RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................. 4 3 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 TOPOGRAPHY AND SETTING ....................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MONUMENT .................................................................................................... 5 3.3 SUMMARY OF KEY PHASES ........................................................................................................................ 9 4 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE .................................................................................................. 10 4.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 10 4.2 OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE .......................................................................................................................... 12 4.3 CHRONOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE ................................................................................... 13 5 ISSUES AND POLICIES ...................................................................................................................... 15 5.1 CONSERVATION PLAN POLICY AIMS ......................................................................................................... 15 5.2 POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................................... 15 6 MANAGEMENT ISSUES .................................................................................................................... 16 6.1 RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION .............................................................................................................. 16 6.2 SURVIVAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITION ..................................................................................................... 16 6.3 BURIED ARCHAEOLOGY ........................................................................................................................... 16 6.4 GAPS IN UNDERSTANDING ........................................................................................................................ 16 6.5 INTERPRETATION - PRESENTATION OF THE TOWN WALLS ........................................................................ 17 6.6 OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS ......................................................................................................................... 17 6.7 MONUMENT MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................... 17 6.8 PUBLIC AND VISITOR EXPECTATIONS ....................................................................................................... 17 7 POLICIES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ATHLONE TOWN WALLS & DEFENCES ....... 18 7.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 18 7.2 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 18 7.3 PRINCIPAL POLICIES ................................................................................................................................. 20 7.4 POLICIES FOR PROTECTION ....................................................................................................................... 21 7.5 POLICIES FOR CONSERVATION, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE .................................................................... 22 7.6 POLICIES FOR ENHANCEMENT & IMPROVEMENT ...................................................................................... 23 7.7 POLICIES FOR ACCESS AND COMMUNICATION .......................................................................................... 24 7.8 POLICIES FOR TOURISM, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH .............................................................................. 26 7.9 POLICIES FOR MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE ............................................................................................. 27 Athlone Town Walls and Defences Conservation Plan iv Athlone Town Council 8 IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................................... 28 8.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • THE RIVERS SHANNON and ERNE Region Guide Belleek LOWER LOUGH ERNE
    THE RIVERS SHANNON AND ERNE Region guide Belleek LOWER LOUGH ERNE Approx time No. of locks Belleek 5 hr 1 Enniskillen Enniskillen 1 hr 0 Bellanaleck 9 hr 30 min 1 Bellanaleck 1 hr 0 Carrybridge UPPER LOUGH Carrybridge 2 hr 30 min 0 ERNE Inishfendra 2 hr 15 min 2 Ballyconnell 4 hr 12 hr 15 min 3 17 Inishfendra Ballinamore 6 hr 12 Ballyconnell Leitrim 45 min 45 min 0 0 L OUGH Y Intersection of River Shannon and branch to Lough Key A 30 min 30 min 0 0 ALLEN W Belturbet Ballinamore R E Carrick-on-Shannon T 3 hr 1 A Drumshanbo W N E Dromod 15 min Lough Key E R 0 O N Leitrim S H A N N Roosky 2 hr 10 hr 50 min 1 3 Tarmonbarry 1 hr 35 min 1 Boyle CARRICKON Lanesborough 4 hr 0 SHANNON Athlone 2 hr 15 min 1 Clonmacnoise 1 hr 0 8 hr 2 Shannonbridge 1 hr 45 min 0 Banagher Dromod 3 hr 1 Maximum speed allowed Portumna 5 on canals in km/h N 30 min 0 Roosky O N N Terryglass 2 hr 0 A There are no speed limits on rivers H 0 Tarmonbarry S Dromineer 45 min 4 hr 0 and in loughs, although please slow Garrykennedy 15 min 0 down as you pass moored boats, 0 Lanesborough Middle of Lough Derg 30 min 0 marinas, fishermen and in narrow Killaloe channels where your wash can cause damage to the bank and wildlife. Approx time No. of locks Pass oncoming boats on L OUGH Leitrim 1 hr 45 min 1 hr 45 min 3 3 REE Drumshanbo the right-hand side Approx time No.
    [Show full text]
  • Beneath the Shadow of Uisneach: Ballymore & Boher, Co
    Beneath the Shadow of Uisneach: Ballymore & Boher, Co. Westmeath, 1996, 0952192330, 9780952192336, Ballymore-Boher History Project, 1996 DOWNLOAD http://bit.ly/1usYWgs http://goo.gl/RIwDy http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Beneath+the+Shadow+of+Uisneach%3A+Ballymore+%26+Boher%2C+Co.+Westmeath DOWNLOAD http://ow.ly/u8kwv http://avaxsearch.com/?q=Beneath+the+Shadow+of+Uisneach%3A+Ballymore+%26+Boher%2C+Co.+Westmeath http://bit.ly/1tpQaVx The placenames of Westmeath , Paul Walsh, 1957, Language Arts & Disciplines, 402 pages. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Archaeology, linguistics and literature, Royal Irish Academy, 1908, Archaeology, . Athlone history and settlement to 1800, Harman Murtagh, Old Athlone Society, 2000, Athlone (Ireland), 256 pages. County Meath & County Westmeath Genealogy & Family History, Michael C. O'Laughlin, 2001, Heraldry, 76 pages. County Meath & Westmeath Genealogy, Family History NOTES and Coats of Arms. Produced as part of the Irish Families Project . It includes the complete 1659 census for Meath and. Westmeath, as Others Saw it Being Excerpts from the Writings of 35 Authors, who Recorded Their Observations on Various Aspects of Westmeath and Its People, from 900 AD to the Present Day, , 1982, Westmeath (Ireland), 224 pages. Public works the architecture of the Office of Public Works, 1831-1987, Ciaran O'Connor, John O'Regan, Architectural Association of Ireland, 1987, Architecture, 113 pages. A History of Medieval Ireland , Annette Jocelyn Otway-Ruthven, 1980, Ireland, 454 pages. The antiquities of Ireland a supplement to Francis Grose, Daniel Grose, Francis Grose, 1991, Social Science, 214 pages. Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis: 1. Davis, Sir J. A letter...to the Earl of Salisbury.
    [Show full text]
  • ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU of MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 STATEMENT by WITNESS. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 1503 Witness Michael Mccormack Drumra
    ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 STATEMENT BY WITNESS. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 1503 Witness Michael McCormack Drumraney, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Identity. Adjutant. Drumraney Battalion, I.R.A. Centre, Drumraney Circle, I.R.B. Subject. Activities of Drumraney Battalion, Irish Volunteers, Athlone Brigade, 1914-1921, and Brigade Flying Column, 1920-1921. Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness. Nil File No S.2819 Form B.S.M.2 STATEMENTBY MICHAEL McCORMICK, Drumraney, Athlone, County Westmeath. I was born in Drumraney and was educated at the local school there. There was nothing taught in school then that would serve as a foundation or build-up in young boys any deep sense of patriotism. father had been in Australia and there he had come in contact with many of the men who had been deported or had to leave Ireland because they loved it too well, according to English standards When we were children, he regularly discussed Irish History with us and enlightened us on the many crimes and wrongs perpetrated on our country by the English invader, and he often sang traditional folk songs for us. Thus we grew up in an atmosphere in which there was a love for everything Irish and with a great desire to see the country independent and in commandof her own destiny. I think my father was a Fenian. I had read and studied books such as "The Jail Journal" and "The last Conquest". In 1907 I became a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Peter Malinn was organising the I.R.B. in County Westmeath at this time and later on w brother John continued to push the.
    [Show full text]
  • 3. Golf Section.Pdf
    Guide The MidlandsIreland.ie brand promotes awareness of the Midland Region across four pillars of Living, Learning, Tourism and Enterprise. MidlandsIreland.ie Gateway to Tourism has produced this digital guide to the Midland Region, as part of suite of initiatives in line with the adopted Brand Management Strategy 2011- 2016. The guide has been produced in collaboration with public and private service providers based in the region. MidlandsIreland.ie would like to acknowledge and thank those that helped with research, experiences and images. The guide contains 11 sections which cover, Angling, Festivals, Golf, Walking, Creative Community, Our Past – Our Pleasure, Active Midlands, Towns and Villages, Driving Tours, Eating Out and Accommodation. The guide showcases the wonderful natural assets of the Midlands, celebrates our culture and heritage and invites you to discover our beautiful region. All sections are available for download on the MidlandsIreland.ie Content: Images and text have been provided courtesy of Áras an Mhuilinn, Athlone Art & Heritage Limited, Athlone, Institute of Technology, Ballyfin Demense, Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Bord na Mona, CORE, Failte Ireland, Lakelands & Inland Waterways, Laois Local Authorities, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Tourism, Longford Local Authorities, Longford Tourism, Mullingar Arts Centre, Offaly Local Authorities, Westmeath Local Authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Kilbeggan Distillery, Kilbeggan Racecourse, Office of Public Works, Swan Creations, The Gardens at Ballintubbert, The Heritage at Killenard, Waterways Ireland and the Wineport Lodge. Individual contributions include the work of James Fraher, Kevin Byrne, Andy Mason, Kevin Monaghan, John McCauley and Tommy Reynolds. Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the information supplied no responsibility can be accepted for any error, omission or misinterpretation of this information.
    [Show full text]
  • Language Notes on Baronies of Ireland 1821-1891
    Database of Irish Historical Statistics - Language Notes 1 Language Notes on Language (Barony) From the census of 1851 onwards information was sought on those who spoke Irish only and those bi-lingual. However the presentation of language data changes from one census to the next between 1851 and 1871 but thereafter remains the same (1871-1891). Spatial Unit Table Name Barony lang51_bar Barony lang61_bar Barony lang71_91_bar County lang01_11_cou Barony geog_id (spatial code book) County county_id (spatial code book) Notes on Baronies of Ireland 1821-1891 Baronies are sub-division of counties their administrative boundaries being fixed by the Act 6 Geo. IV., c 99. Their origins pre-date this act, they were used in the assessments of local taxation under the Grand Juries. Over time many were split into smaller units and a few were amalgamated. Townlands and parishes - smaller units - were detached from one barony and allocated to an adjoining one at vaious intervals. This the size of many baronines changed, albiet not substantially. Furthermore, reclamation of sea and loughs expanded the land mass of Ireland, consequently between 1851 and 1861 Ireland increased its size by 9,433 acres. The census Commissioners used Barony units for organising the census data from 1821 to 1891. These notes are to guide the user through these changes. From the census of 1871 to 1891 the number of subjects enumerated at this level decreased In addition, city and large town data are also included in many of the barony tables. These are : The list of cities and towns is a follows: Dublin City Kilkenny City Drogheda Town* Cork City Limerick City Waterford City Database of Irish Historical Statistics - Language Notes 2 Belfast Town/City (Co.
    [Show full text]
  • To Download Why You Should Do Business
    MIDLANDS LONGFORD, WESTMEATH, OFFALY, LAOIS Sligo within 90 mins 2 2 Dundalk within 90 mins 2 LONGFORD Maynooth within 90 mins 5 MULLINGAR Dublin City within 90 mins REGIONALREGIONAL ATHLONE CENTRECENTRE 2 9 TULLAMORE Galway City 10 within 90 mins PORTLAOISE Limerick City within 90 mins 3 Rosslare within 150 mins 3 9 Cork City within Waterford City 120 mins within 90 mins 2 2 10 WHO’S WITHIN REACH* 30 MIN 60 MIN 90 MIN LEGEND Key Town Research & Innovation Centre Population 472,610 2,106,011 3,725,208 National Roads IDA Business & Tech Park Motorways 3rd Level Institutions Labour Force 187,414 896,883 1,585,133 Railroad Midlands Region 3rd Level Qualified 66,081 370,194 706,603 Railway Station Drive time catchment REGIONAL International Airport CENTRE Athlone Regional Centre Students 37,952 186,953 335,702 International Sea Port Irish Manufacturing Research *Based on Resident Population of underlying Census 2016 Electoral Division data and assessed travel-time catchments by car from 5 major settlements. © Midlands Ireland 2020. Analysis and Design by Future Analytics Consulting GATEWAY CONNECTIVITY HUB IN THE NATIONAL HEARTLAND MIDLANDS Home to 292,301 people covering over 6,500 square 292,301 kilometres, the Midlands is centrally located in the heartland of the country, creating a dynamic and connected core. The LONGFORD Midlands is a key employment region containing many working 40,873 hubs in key towns; Longford, Athlone, Mullingar, Portlaoise and Tullamore. With Athlone town being the regional driver there is also a distribution of employment centres throughout WESTMEATH the neighbouring counties.
    [Show full text]
  • Extractions from Moate, a History of the Town and District
    p.14. "In 1401 the O'Farrells and the Daltons together attacked the people of Art O'Melaghin probably at Moyelly, but they failed to gain a victory" p.18. "In 1544 Rory O'Melaghlin was killed by the Daltons, at the Dalton's castle on Clare Hill" p.30. "Robert Plunket, Lord of Daunsany, granted a manor to Gerald Dalton, clerk" p.37. "Many Catholic gentlemen of the Pale took no part in the 1641 rebellion (included Richard Dalton of Mullinmeehan) Murder of Christopher Magawly said to have been carried out by Edmond, son of Richard Dalton. -­ part of a family dispute as they were kinsmen". p.38. "Richard became a Protestant and married Anne King daughter of the Bishop of Elphin, which displeased his father. Richard with wife went to Athlone and joined the garrison there". p.40. "Local Catholics transplanted to Roscommon in 1653 included Miles Dalton of Ballinlug, James Dalton of Mullinmeehan and John Dalton of Moyvoughley". p.41. "Edmond Dalton of Mullinmeehan served the Commonwealth". p.45. "After the Restoration some lost the lands given by Cromwell. This included Elizabeth Dalton, Margaret Dalton and her 5 orphans -­ all ended destitute". p.50. "After the Battle of Ballymore in 1691 prisoners taken to Athlone included Walter Dalton, of Ballymore". p.53. "Land belonging to Luke Dalton of Moyvoughley was attained and sold". p.61. "The only Catholic shopkeeper noted in Moate was Christopher Dalton who seems to have died unmarried. By his will, which was proved 12 October 1764, he left legacies to the sons and daughters of his brother, Tobias Dalton of Moyvore, Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Athlone Accommodation Centre at Lissywollen
    Community Profile of Athlone Accommodation Centre at Lissywollen Submitted to National University of Ireland Galway for part fulfillment of the Diploma in Community Development Practice HEIDAR AL - HASHIMI 2013/2014 . 1 EXCLUSIVE SUMMARY This profile highlights the community needs as well as effects and impacts of long staying process of Asylum seekers living in Direct Provision System in Athlone Accommodation Centre at Lissywollen. The first part of this profile will introduce and define key terms used repeatedly. It investigates the historical background, interprets what meant by Asylum Seeker & Refugee in Irish law and focuses on HIGH LEVEL Criticism of the Direct Provision System. For the purpose of this profile, the second part investigates more specific details on Lissywollen Accommodation Centre such as geographical location, housing, population demographics, and other concerned issues. Moreover, the third part identifies services that have been performed by vital organisations to residents. SWOT Analysis of this community takes part to identify and categories the significant internal and external factors they face. At the end of this profile, the researcher 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4 will come to conclusion and recommendations built on the information have been investigated. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank my supervisors from NUI Galway, for guiding and giving me the ideas and directions throughout writing this profile. I would like to express my gratitude to my family: wife and children, for their continuous help and support. 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4 . 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page Number EXCLUSIVE SUMMARY 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES 5 1.
    [Show full text]
  • What Kind of Irish Was Spoken in Westmeath?
    What kind of Irish was spoken in Westmeath? AENGUS FINNEGAN By the time of the Gaelic Revival at the end of the 19th century, the Irish language as a vernacular had largely disappeared across Leinster. The small extent of the language which remained was probably confined to the most remote and out-of-the-way townlands, and scattered among a generation who had been largely forgotten by the outside world – with the possible exception of a small part of Co. Louth. It is no wonder, then, that it is primarily to the north, west and southwest areas of Ireland that scholars of the language in all its varying forms have since directed their attention. It is in these regions that the language continued to be spoKen into the 20th century, and indeed continues to be spoKen, though much less extensively than heretofore. This focus, however understandable, has left a large gap in our understanding of the historical distribution of the dialects of Irish across the eastern half of the country. The only means of filling this gap is to carry out a detailed study of the scant remains of the language, as found in word lists, folKlore collections, the later manuscript tradition (if available), everyday speech, and, last but by no means least, in placenames, including both townland and minor names. The great advantage of evidence from placenames to the historial dialectologist is the universal distribution of the placenames themselves. This means that aspects of the language which come to light in the placenames of one area can safely and easily be compared with developments in another.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is the PPN?
    Welcome to Westmeath Westmeath PPN The Voice of the PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK Community Your Representative and Information Network for communities in County Westmeath Email: [email protected] Phone: 044-9332157 Website: www.westmeathppn.ie The 4 Strategies of the PPN Representation Informing Westmeath PPN facilitate the participation Provide information relevant to the environmental, social and representation of communities in a inclusion, community and voluntary sector and acts as a hub fair, equitable and transparent manner around which information is distributed and received. through the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary sectors on Developing decision making committees/structures. Strengthen the capacity of communities and of the environmental, social inclusion, community & voluntary groups Under the Local Government Act 2014 the to contribute positively to the community in which they reside/ setting up of PPNs in Ireland was to provide participate. non-political representation. This takes the form of electing volunteer representatives Networking from among the over 750 community groups The final strategy of the PPN involves networking. This takes which are members of Westmeath PPN. places in 3 ways: Westmeath PPN is proud to have community 1. Regular information exchange from the groups and to the representatives on 18 (committees/fora) groups through the PPN newsletters and website. from Joint Policing Committee to Local 2. Annual gatherings of all community groups to liaise and Community Development Committee to work together on a variety of issues and items (Plenary SPCs (Strategic Policy Committees). & 2 Municipal District - Athlone/Moate & Mullingar/ Westmeath PPN is co-funded by Department Kinnegad - meetings). of Rural & Community Development and 3.
    [Show full text]
  • The List of Church of Ireland Parish Registers
    THE LIST of CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISH REGISTERS A Colour-coded Resource Accounting For What Survives; Where It Is; & With Additional Information of Copies, Transcripts and Online Indexes SEPTEMBER 2021 The List of Parish Registers The List of Church of Ireland Parish Registers was originally compiled in-house for the Public Record Office of Ireland (PROI), now the National Archives of Ireland (NAI), by Miss Margaret Griffith (1911-2001) Deputy Keeper of the PROI during the 1950s. Griffith’s original list (which was titled the Table of Parochial Records and Copies) was based on inventories returned by the parochial officers about the year 1875/6, and thereafter corrected in the light of subsequent events - most particularly the tragic destruction of the PROI in 1922 when over 500 collections were destroyed. A table showing the position before 1922 had been published in July 1891 as an appendix to the 23rd Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records Office of Ireland. In the light of the 1922 fire, the list changed dramatically – the large numbers of collections underlined indicated that they had been destroyed by fire in 1922. The List has been updated regularly since 1984, when PROI agreed that the RCB Library should be the place of deposit for Church of Ireland registers. Under the tenure of Dr Raymond Refaussé, the Church’s first professional archivist, the work of gathering in registers and other local records from local custody was carried out in earnest and today the RCB Library’s parish collections number 1,114. The Library is also responsible for the care of registers that remain in local custody, although until they are transferred it is difficult to ascertain exactly what dates are covered.
    [Show full text]
  • Athlone to Mullingar
    The Old Rail Trail – Westmeath Respect farm animals and wildlife - Dogs to be The Old Rail Trail is a rural route through the heart kept on a short lead and ‘scoop-the-poop’. Keep a of the Irish Midlands, starting in the bustling town safe distance from farm animals. Leave habitats, of Athlone and continuing on a converted stretch plants and animals as you find them. of the Midlands Great Western Railway. In the unlikely event of an emergency dial 999 The 42km journey takes us through rich fertile or 112 to contact Emergency Services. farmland, away from the hustle of towns, in a beautiful rural setting to the market town of Mullingar. The Old Rail Trail forms part of the Lough Owel N4 proposed Galway to Dublin Cycleway, which will be Ireland’s first dedicated inter-city coast to coast route for cyclists. LEAVE NO TRACE Athlone to Be prepared - Although the route is off road, you www.leavenotraceireland.org Royal Canal Greenway still need to take special care at or near all road N52 Mullingar junctions. For more information visit Ensure you have the fitness, equipment and time greenway.westmeathcoco.ie for the walk or the cycle. Check the weather forecast For further local information please contact MULLINGAR and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Westmeath County Council 15 Be considerate of other people - This route is 04493 32000 mixed use - while walking be aware of cyclists 13 14 approaching. Cyclists should use a bell to alert walkers. Park appropriately and do not block WALKING AND entrances or other cars.
    [Show full text]