Walking the Road Less Traveled: Travel Destination: Athlone, Ireland

Sometimes, you travel roads that others have not.

Athlone

Sean's Bar

Sean's Bar First Look

Ireland.  A travel destination for many.  

Ireland's attraction list boasts of historic places, castles, landscapes, and a pub for everyone.  When people go you expect to see pictures of kissing a stone, the Cliffs of Moher, and spending time in Dublin.

And those area all worth the time.  You follow around the outside edge of Ireland and you can see wonderful things.

But something happens when you travel to the heart of Ireland.  A small town located in the middle of the country along the River Shannon, Athlone is overlooked as a place to see.

We loved it so much we went back.

Athlone sits in the middle of Ireland's history.  It's location on the river in the middle of the country became a dividing point for the English and the Irish.  The Athlone castle is open for visitors and walks inquisitive minds through the fight towards Irish Independence and it's struggles with religions.

The churches sit across the river from each other, giving freedom of religion to both the Catholics and the Church of England.  Both of which you can visit and marvel at the buildings and the love they share for their beliefs.  

And at its base, tucked into a wall, sits the reason we found Athlone in the first place.

Sean's Bar, the oldest continuously operating bar on record.

​It holds the Guiness World Record. 

Sean's Bar has been through various owners since its opening in 900 AD.  From Vikings to weary travelers, Sean's Bar is a walk-through time.

When you walk through the door the small area immediately draws you in.  The original walls show the horsehair insulation.  While updated with license plates from all over the world as decor, the space feels camped, cozy, with an air of fun between patrons and bartenders.

There are moments in life when you need a place like Sean's.  And on our second trip back, we returned.  Exhausted from a full day of travel, it was almost 11:30 by the time we reached Athlone.  Bars were closing, and we just needed a moment to sit.

We were in the right spot at the right time.  With bags in hand, we walked into the familiarity and felt we were back at home.  We had traveled along a road that most skip, and knew we landed in exactly the right spot.

There are so many moments in life when you feel as though you're on a different road from others.  Your journey through the ups and downs, the long days, the weary days of exhaustion, can become overwhelming.  And just when you feel like you can't get a break, something familiar comes along to make everything right. 

So, as you travel along, both in the world and in life, find the roads that most don't.  You'll find that along the way, you feel right at home on the roads less traveled. 

Don't miss Athlone on your next Irish adventure!