Athlone Bypass Bridge

North of the town centre the bypass carries the main road from Dublin to Galway across the Shannon. It is the last bridge before the river opens into Lough Ree and the first one you meet coming down from the lake. It matters to taller boats because it is the lowest on this stretch: 5.15 m of clearance at ordinary summer level, according to the Waterways Ireland figures in the IWAI's bridge table of March 2025. That is 10 cm less than the bridge at Lanesborough and 14 cm less than Athlone Town Bridge. When the Shannon is above its summer level the margin shrinks, so watch the air-draft gauges and ask the Inspectorate in Athlone if you are unsure.