Athlone (Ath Luain, "Ford of Lun"), situated almost in the exact geographical center of Ireland, lies on the Shannon, which flows through Lough Ree, to the north of the town, here forming the boundary between the provinces of Leinster and Connacht.
The crossing of the Shannon at this point has been important from time immemorial. By the end of
the first millennium A.D. there was already a wooden bridge over the river here, and in the 13th century a bridgehead was formed, with a castle and riverbank defenses, which in later centuries was repeatedly fought over, destroyed and rebuilt.
The town is a busy rail and road junction and a harbor on the Shannon and Lough Ree. In addition it has developed a number of light industries and become the main marketing and distribution center for the surrounding area. To the east of the town is the powerful Athlone long-wave transmitter.