Autumn Break at Athlone Mallow ARA

This year we spent our autumn break at the Sheraton Hotel Athlone travelling with McGinley coaches from 26th to 30th September. We stopped at Abbey Court hotel for a lovely lunch and then progressed to Lough Boora. It is fairly newly developed  by Bord na Mona with young trees and heathers winding paths and visitor centre a lake of course and bikes for hire. picture shows Maureen trying to mount a HI Nelly.

We reached our hotel about 5pm We had a lovely meal and played cards or relaxed in the bar that evening.During our 4 day trip we visited a clay pipe factory where we saw clay pipes being made.They are mostly  for the tourist industry now but there was a time when most houses had someone who smoked a clay pipe.We also visited King House in Boyle which was most impressive, St Mels Cathedral in Longford which is fabulous and a credit to the local people having rebuilt after it was burned down some years ago. That night we had music or cards after dinner.

On the next day we went on a boat trip on Lough Rea and visited Belvedere house and Gardens followed by a delicious meal and dancing or cards again. On the last day we visited Clonmacnoise and stopped at the County Arms hotel Birr for a lovely lunch before heading home. In between all that we fitted in some shopping(Athlone has some fab shops) visited therapy pool each morning (not everyone) and had a massage in the fabulous Spa. The nicest one I have ever seen!. Thank you Vivienne.

We would recommend this hotel for rooms staff meals friendliness.We had a wonderful time. we were very lucky also that we got lovely sunny weather.Thank you also Charlie our driver and guide.