Today Athlone Castle still dominates the crossing at Athlone but the norman garrison has been replaced by a tourist office, a small museum and an interpretive centre. There is a spectacular view of the river and the surropunding area from the battlements, which shows the wisdom of those early military engineers, who selected the site. The forest parks at Portumna and Lough Key, Boyle are wonderlands of nature and a Mecca for both adults and children alike. There are many Golf courses including the magnificent Glasson Golf and Country Club near Athlone which has its own jetty for visiting cruisers as has the Athlone Golf Club at Hodson Bay on the opposite side of the lake. Golfing Opportunities are plentiful.
Possibilities range from rural nine holers to full blown championship courses.
There are at least eighteen clubs within fifteen kilometres of the waterway. Some even have their own lakeside jetties. Those, who wish to golf and cruise can rest assured that both golfers and and non golfers will find plenty to interest them as they enjoy a relaxing holiday.