Having decided to spend a week exploring Ireland’s beautiful County Westmeath (part of the country’s Ancient East), we soon began looking for places to stay in Athlone.
We decided we wanted to stay in, or around, Athlone, thanks to its incredibly convenient location. Just one hour from Dublin, this ancient town sits on the shores of the beautiful Lough Ree and River Shannon – right in the heart of the Emerald Isle.
Said to be the geographical centre of Ireland, Athlone is a fantastic place to explore all parts of Ireland (pending a day trip, or two) – particularly the ‘Ancient East’ and the country’s ‘Hidden Heartlands‘. Boasting its own castle, Athlone is also very much worth a visit in its own right – and is particularly popular with nature enthusiasts, thanks to the rich shorelines that surround it.
However, historic castles and birdlife aside, there is one reason that trumped all others when it came to deciding to stay in this often-overlooked town.
Having begun searching for places to stay in Athlone, we soon came across images of a lakehouse; one decorated in festoon lightbulbs and surrounded by ancient, green woodland.
Perched on the banks of a Lough – with views across vast, glittering waterways and golden sunsets – it was clear that this lakehouse was far from your ordinary clapboard holiday home. Decorated inside with an eclectic mix of designer furniture and colourful trinkets, this little bolthole was a veritable haven of eclectic luxury.
It didn’t take long to be persuaded that this was the place we had to stay – our search for places to stay in Athlone now over. Indeed, we would be spending our week in Ireland exploring the magical and award-winning Walden Lakehouse.
Best Places to Stay in Athlone
Walden Lakehouse
Walden Lakehouse, Glasson, is perhaps one of the most atmospheric and magical places I’ve ever stayed (truly).
Nestled in the very small village of Glasson (‘Village of Roses), just on the outskirts of Athlone, Walden Lakehouse is perched on the shores of the River Shannon’s largest lake, Lough Ree. A family bolthole since the 1960s, the house is now a holiday home – a warm and stylish blend of old and new; nostalgia and contemporary design – lovingly designed by its latest owner, Egon Walesch.
Diminutive in size, yet packing a punch when it comes to atmosphere, Walden Lakehouse comprises of two stylish bedrooms, two bathroom (featuring a roll-top bath and walk-in shower), a separate toilet, and an open-plan living room and kitchen area.
Offering self-catering accommodation, Walden Lakehouse has everything you need for a private stay, including: a Miele oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a Nespresso machine, cocktail mixing equipment, a Sonos sound system, WiFi, a smart TV, board games, linen and towels, a beautiful wood burner, plenty of logs and kindling and ample parking for two cars.
A supermarket is also just a short 10 minute drive away (a Supervalu) and there is a small restaurant on the site next door, where there are a few other holiday chalets.
However, the lakehouse’s real show stopper is its peaceful decking area, with access down to a small pebble-filled beach. Here, visitors are afforded unobstructed views across the Lough – a vast expanse of water, mirrored by even bigger skies. Visiting in August, we spent most of our evenings watching as the sun set over the lake and fishing boats returned for the day; swans gliding past and bats diving overhead.
Walden Lakehouse is a truly unforgettable home and, without a doubt, one of the best places to stay in Athlone.
Winner of RTE’s Home of the Year (2016)
Given the sheer beauty of Walden Lakehouse, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the home was awarded RTE’s Home of the Year in 2016.
The owner, Egon Walesch (who also happens to be an interior designer), inherited the lakehouse from his late father and decided to renovate it, all whilst holding tightly to the memories stored within its walls.
Knocking through to create one open-plan living area, and decorating the chalet with a blend of retro furnishings, quirky trinkets and bold patterns, Egon created a space that is wholly unique. Now something of a local celebrity, Walden Lakehouse is rented out as a holiday home throughout the year; offering a special kind of peace and tranquility to those that stay in it.
Is Walden Lakehouse Suitable for Children?
As a celebrated House of the Year and easily one of the best places to stay in Athlone, you might wonder if Walden Lakehouse is suitable for life’s little people.
The short answer is that the owners are more than happy to welcome children into their sanctuary – which is lucky, as we would be visiting Athlone with our (at the time) chaotic 18 month old, Henry.
Having already spent quite some time looking through photographs of this beautiful lakeside home, I was a little worried about the havoc my toddler might wreak on it. As we know, toddlers tend to be sticky fingered klutzes and I had sobering visions of him not only breaking things, but hurling himself head first into the lake.
Thankfully, when we arrived, Walden Lakehouse’s very lovely housekeeper couldn’t have been more helpful – immediately offering to safely store away any items that might be harmed by our very own wrecking ball. She wasn’t at all precious about the situation (noting that she had three kids of her own) and was incredibly laid back about Henry already plastering his hands over the sparkling sliding glass doors.
It turned out that the space at Walden Lakehouse suited a toddler perfectly. Henry was lucky enough to have his own room, complete with en-suite, and the open plan living area was a great place for him to ride his cars through. When it came to the lake, whilst Henry did beg to visit it almost hourly, once down there he was surprisingly well-behaved.
Thankfully, he was completely fixated by throwing pebbles into the water, so never attempted to throw himself into it. Likewise, the grounds surrounding the lakehouse were perfect for a little explorer – featuring leafy woodland to amble through and a tyre swing, which Henry was particularly taken with.
Before our arrival, a travel cot and highchair had also been set up, which made our lives very easy and meant we didn’t have to travel with a cumbersome cot of our own.
Lastly, the TV at Walden Lakehouse was a Smart TV – which meant unlimited access to Tractor Ted and Peppa Pig, which Henry was, of course, delighted about.
How Do You Book Walden Lakehouse?
We found Walden Lakehouse by searching for the best places to stay in Athlone (alongside best places to stay in Glasson, Ireland).
Immediately, the Lakehouse appeared, via Unique Homestays.
Unique Homestays are a company we already know (and love) – and we’ve stayed in a fair few of their properties over the years (this Rye property was particularly heavenly). Whilst they are definitely expensive – and we consider staying in one pushing the boat – these properties are more than worth it. All of their homes are truly spectacular, offering beautiful decor, unique locations and unfettered luxury.
Naturally, I was immediately sold when I therefore saw that they offered a homestay close to Athlone – and was scrabbling to book it before I’d even shown my partner any photos.
Walden Lakehouse sleeps 4 people in total (children welcome) and will set you back £1,350 for a week’s stay, or £1095 for a short break (although, these prices are for the low season, so expect to pay almost double during the summer months). You’ll also need to pay a £500 security deposit, which will be returned to you after your stay.
Best Things to do in (& Around) Athlone, Westmeath
I’m guessing that if you’re searching for places to stay in Athlone, you’re already fairly sold on the idea of visiting this small town.
However, if not, or if you’re uncertain about what to do in the area, below is a list of the 10 best things to do in Athlone and beyond (including activities perfect for anyone visiting with children).
1. Visit Athlone Castle
Entry costs 10 euros for adults and children under 4 go free.
At the heart of Athlone lies its handsome castle.
Thought to have endured since the Anglo-Norman times, the castle was built for King John of England in, or around, 1210. Having played a key role in Irish history, the castle has not only hosted English kings, but was once the stronghold of rival local families – the O’Kelly’s and the Dillons. Additionally, it was also once home to the Jacobites during the sieges of Athlone and served as a military barracks for three hundred years, thanks to its vantage point overlooking the mighty River Shannon.
Today, visitors can still view parts of the castle dating back to the 13th century, alongside learning about this region of Ireland – also known as Ireland’s ‘hidden heartland”.
2. Visit Athlone’s Independent Stores & Coffee Shops
Whilst small, Athlone is a genuinely charming little town and one definitely overlooked by tourists (who tend to head straight to the west or south of the country). In terms of the best things to do in Athlone, I’d say browsing its small, independent stores is definitely one.
With Henry safely in his pushchair, we explored many of these little shops, one warm August morning. Easily one of my favourite finds was the Athlone Bookshop, which also had a great children’s section that Henry loved (it had a particular emphasis on tractors).
Athlone also had a surprising number of cosy, independent cafes and coffee shops. Our favourites included Nave Coffee and Fine – found on the highstreet. Fine also served up some delicious brunch options – some of the best in town, in fact (I can highly recommend their ‘veggie sausage sambos’).
3. Glendeer Petting Farm
Now, I do understand that only those with children will understand the magnetic pull of a petting farm, however – this is a spot definitely worth visiting.
Just a ten minute drive from Athlone, Glendeer Pet Farm is a genuinely lovely place to wile away an afternoon – kids or no kids. Not your average petting farm, Glendeer boasts over 50 breeds of animals (including monkeys, wallabies and parrots), and allows a fairly ‘hands on approach’ when it comes to meeting its residents. Indeed, during our own visit, Henry petted tiny chicks, a bearded dragon and a llama.
Alongside this, the Farm also has a fantastic nature walk and fairy trail, which was a big hit with our own toddler. The trail took us through little hobbit houses, past miniature fairy homes and around hidden toadstools – and was a surprisingly lovely and beautiful walk.
4. Visit Glasson Lakehouse
When searching for places to stay in Athlone, you’ll no doubt come across the beautiful Glasson Lakehouse.
Just a short walk from Walden Lakehouse, Glasson Lakehouse reminded me a little bit of Soho Farmhouse, albeit Ireland’s version.
Also nestled on the shores of Lough Ree, Glasson Lakehouse is a rustic-inspired luxury hotel, boasting an impeccable golf course, an incredible spa, wood-fired hot tubs, a delicious restaurant and even its very own in-house pub – Tom’s Fish & Tackle.
A 10 minute walk from our own accommodation, we dropped by Glasson Lakehouse almost daily – enjoying lunch out on its sun-drenched terrace, walks around its beautiful grounds (including a fairy trail for children) and the odd spa treatment. It’s also a great spot to visit with kids thanks to its giant playroom and outdoor adventure play park.
The massage I had at the hotel’s spa, Brooks & Co, was absolute heaven and the spa itself was incredibly quirky and homely; featuring eclectic prints, panelled rooms and flickering candles.
All in all, we couldn’t get enough of Glasson Lakehouse and Walden Lakehouse aside, I’d say this hotel is absolutely one of the best places to stay in Athlone (albeit, just outside the main town).
5. Visit Kilbeggan Distillery
Although not strictly within Athlone, Kilbeggan Distillery is just a short drive from the town and definitely one of the best things to do in Athlone.
Whether you’re a whiskey fan or not, a visit to one of Ireland’s oldest distilleries still comes highly recommended. Not only is the distillery tour fascinating, but visitors are also invited to use the ancient ‘valinch’ to draw the whiskey from the cask themselves; preparing their own label and bottling their own bottle of Irish whiskey, all from Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery.
The distillery experience begins at 30 euros per person and must be booked ahead of time.
6. Enjoy a Viking Boat Tour of the River Shannon
Given Athlone’s affinity to the meandering River Shannon, you’ll perhaps be unsurprised to learn that there are lots of water-based activities to do here.
One of these is to hop on a Viking boat and cruise down the River, via Viking Tours. From Athlone, these replica Viking Ships will transport you from Athlone to Lough Ree (20 euros for adults), or down to the famous monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise – a particularly special journey come sunset.
The cruises commence in April, running throughout the summer, and make for a magical way to see Ireland’s heartland and its ancient waterways.
7. Baysport’s Inflatable Water Park, Athlone
For those with children, or for the big kids amongst you, then Athlone boasts its very own inflatable water park – open throughout the summer months.
Costing 22.50 euros for adults and 18.50 children, a ticket to the park buys you one hour’s access to giant, ridiculous and incredibly fun inflatables – all floating on Lough Ree. Highlights include an inflatable version of Athlone Castle (complete with giant slide), the ‘Isle of Saints and Scholars’ (with five big slides) and a mini junior park, perfect for smaller children.
8. Sunset Drinks at Wineport Lodge, Athlone
In terms of the best places to stay in Athlone, Wineport Lodge is yet another great option.
On the opposite shoreline to Walden Lakehouse and a little further down from Glasson Lakehouse, Wineport Lodge is yet another relatively new kid on the block, offering luxury getaways and incredible sunset vistas.
Marketing itself as a ‘luxury lodge’, Wineport Lodge offers lovely accommodation, a fantastic spa, a restaurant and a large decking area on which to enjoy a glass of red, as the sun slips beneath the waters of Lough Ree. Although we didn’t get time to try it, we also heard that the afternoon tea here is lovely.
More contemporary looking than Glasson Lakehouse, the Lodge also has its own spa – the Cedarwood Spa – that boasts floor to ceiling windows, gazing out over the water. You can also borrow bikes from the hotel and cycle the leafy disused railway line, that runs from Athlone to Mullinger.
9. Visit Oldest Pub in Ireland – Sean’s Bar
Research best things to do in Athlone and you’re sure to see one suggestion appear repeatedly – a trip to what is said to be Ireland’s oldest pub: Sean’s Bar.
Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the country’s most ancient pub, Sean’s Bar is a tiny, yet overwhelmingly atmospheric, place. The pub, first known as Luain’s Inn, was named after its owner, Luain Mac Luighdeach, who used a bend of the river to safely guide people across the tempestuous waters of the River Shannon.
Built during the Medieval period, the Inn served the important purpose of helping pilgrims, soldiers and locals cross this river, before the owner then served them up a much-deserved flagon of mead and bowl of food.
Definitely one of the best things to do in Athlone, a trip to this incredibly historic pub is not only interesting, but lots of fun – thanks to the regular live music played here and Sean’s infamous Irish Whiskey Bar.
10. Dinner at The Fatted Calf, Athlone
While searching for where to stay in Athlone, I came across an advert for what is said to be the best restaurant in town – The Fatted Calf.
Run by husband and wife, Feargal and Fiona O’Donnell, this restaurant serves up some of the best food in Westmeath, in a cosy and welcoming environment. Ensuring all food is sourced locally, and is seasonal, the menu here is truly mouth-watering and predictably, makes it a very popular spot.
Be sure to book ahead, to bag yourself a table.
