Athlone

The name Athlone in Irish means "The Ford of Luain", Luain, one of the towns first entrepreneurs, kept an inn or hostelry on the banks of the river and acted as guide for those who wished to cross from east to west. In time, the ford became known as 'Luain's Ford' and over the years, Athlone has achieved a distinguished reputation as a place where people are welcome to visit, live and even more importantly, excel.

For example, Athlone Woolen Mills (1859), An early multinational, wit a world-wide reputation for quality tweeds was instrumental in bringing diversity to the local area. One of the towns most famous citizens, the world renowned tenor John Count McCormack, was the son of an immigrant who worked in the mills. Athlone hats provide another example. Acording to Dean Swift, 'Those who are born inthis country will think themselves abundantly happy when they can afford an Athlone hat'. In the 1930's, General Textiles (GENTEX) produced their famous 'Constellation Sheets@ in their Athlone mill. Each of these employers attracted new citizens from around the world to work and live in Athlone. Today, Ericsson (1974), Elan, Tyco Mallincrodt have joined with the descendants of these early pioneers and are inviting a new generation of immigrants to make Athlone their home.