Athlone Lock

Athlone Lock is the last lock on the way north from Lough Derg and the gateway to Athlone, the largest town on the Shannon, whose centre starts just above the weir. It was built in the 1840s during the Shannon Commissioners’ improvement works: the lock gear carries Thomas Rhodes’ name and the date 1844, and a plaque on the site records 1848. A keeper works it in the Shannon lock hours, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00; pay 2 Smart Card units or €1.50 in cash (keeper: +353 90 649 2026). In the lock the crew must wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids. Le Boat allows about 2 hours 15 minutes from Clonmacnoise. In a flood the river below the lock can rise almost to the level above it, so take care on the approach. Moorings, shops and restaurants are in Athlone itself, in our Lough Ree section.