Images in & around Athlone, from my Aug. 2017 trip to the Republic of Ireland. Athlone Castle was started in the 12th century, & in 1210 was built in stone with motte-and-bailey construction. Read more here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlone_Castle . After seeing the castle, we rode bikes on a rail trail to the village of Moate, where a new "Heritage Park" is being made.