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Athlone
Institute Of Technology |
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About City
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Athlone, with a population of over 20,000 people, is one of
the largest inland towns in Ireland and owes a long
existence to its convenience as a crossing point on the
River Shannon. It is the hub of an extensive road and rail
network which maintains its importance as a major
communications centre. Athlone is located not far from the
famous early Christian Monastery and University of
Clonmacnoise. It is a thriving town enjoying its central
location in the heart of Ireland. North of the town,
Lough
Ree is one of the great lakes of the Shannon system and the
major amenity of the locality. It offers great natural
beauty, excellent cruising waters, good fishing, a yacht
club, an annual rowing marinas. There are also
two golf courses on the lake-shore. |
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The town has two
centrally-located shopping centres. Golden Island which is
located just one mile from the Institute contains 40 shops
including national and multi-national chains and various small
units. This centre also houses a six screen cinema complex.
Leisure World, located on the west side of the town, provides
facilities such as bowling, amusements and go-carting.
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Athlone is a major military centre and the headquarters of the
western Command is Custume Barracks on the Connacht side of the
town. There are a number of public sector employees including
significant sections of the Department of Education and Science
based in the town. Athlone has an excellent and modern
industrial base. These industries are largely to be found on the
eastern and western perimeters, and include such well-known
firms as Elan Corportation, Ericsson Systems Expertise Ltd.,
Mallinckrodt Medical, Irish Cable and Wire, to name but a few.
Athlone Institute of Technology, whch opened in 1970, was a
factor in attracting many of these industries to the town, and
with its combined population of over 4,500 staff and students it
is now an important contributor to the local economy and to the
shaping of Athlone's future outlook and ethos
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