Sean's Bar
As Ireland's oldest pub, Sean's Bar offers a truly authentic experience with lively traditional Irish music sessions that attract locals and tourists alike.
Visit WebsiteA Living Soundscape
Athlone's music scene is alive and kicking. From legendary pubs to professional studios, discover the venues, events, and resources that make our town a hub for musicians and music lovers today.
Popular Music Venues
Dean Crowe Theatre
A central pillar of Athlone's arts scene, the Dean Crowe hosts a diverse programme including musical performances by national and international artists.
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Flannery's Bar
A well-known pub with a lively atmosphere, often featuring live rock and cover bands as well as DJ sets that keep the energy high into the night.
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The Snug Bar
A popular spot for locals, The Snug is true to its name, offering a cozy setting for a variety of live music acts on weekends, from contemporary to acoustic.
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Peddler Mac's
A popular destination for live music, offering a great atmosphere for enjoying local bands and solo artists in the heart of the town.
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Maisie's
Known for its friendly vibe and strong support of live music, Maisie's is a frequent and beloved spot for weekend entertainment and local gigs.
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The Shack
A great spot for more intimate acoustic sessions and for discovering new talent in a cozy, welcoming setting that focuses on the music.
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Nuts Corner
A staple of the local scene for years, known for hosting regular gigs featuring both established and up-and-coming rock and alternative acts.
Facebook PageThe Venue @ The Prince
Attached to the Prince of Wales Hotel, this modern space hosts a variety of events, including larger concerts, tribute acts, and special performances.
Visit WebsiteFestivals & Events
St. Patrick's Festival
Mid-March
A vibrant town-wide celebration, with the parade and pubs filled with live traditional Irish music.
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Croílár Music & Arts Festival
Typically April
A celebration of contemporary and traditional arts, with a strong focus on live music across various town venues.
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Flan Fest
June Bank Holiday
Flannery's Bar hosts its annual music festival with a packed lineup of live bands and entertainment all weekend long.
See LineupFéile na Sionainne
August Bank Holiday
A weekend celebration of traditional Irish music, song, and dance, attracting top musicians to the banks of the Shannon.
Check for UpdatesViking Food & River Festival
Typically September
Experience Athlone's Viking heritage and celebrate local food with family activities and live music by the river.
Check for UpdatesEvent details and dates can change. Please refer to official sources for the most current information.
Studios & Rehearsal Spaces
85DB Studio & Sound System Hire
Blyry Industrial ParkA key resource for local bands, offering both professional rehearsal space and sound equipment hire for live events.
Summerhill Recording & Rehearsal Studio
Local Recording HubA dedicated space for bands and solo artists to professionally record their music and hone their craft in a studio environment.
Lakelands Recording Studio
Creative Recording SpaceAnother vital facility for Athlone's musicians, providing the tools and environment needed to produce high-quality recordings.
Grouse Lodge Studios
Rosemount, Co. WestmeathLocated just outside Athlone, this world-renowned residential studio has hosted international superstars like Michael Jackson, Muse, and Snow Patrol, adding to the region's incredible musical pedigree.
Music Lessons
Athlone School of Music
A center for music education, offering lessons for a wide range of instruments and vocal training to all ages and levels.
Visit WebsiteA Storied Legacy
To understand Athlone's vibrant present, we must explore its past. Discover the key figures, community groups, and the epic timeline of events that built our town's enduring musical heritage.
Pioneers & Personalities
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Societies & Groups
The Athlone Pipers
A Century of TraditionFrom the Clan Uisneach Pipe Band of the 1800s to the modern Athlone Town Pipe Band, the sound of the pipes has been a constant, resilient thread in the town's cultural fabric. Click to learn more about this enduring legacy.
Learn MoreAthlone Musical Society
Ireland's Oldest Musical SocietyCo-founded by Henry Foy in 1902, the society has been a cornerstone of Athlone's performing arts scene, staging beloved productions for over a century and continuing to delight audiences at the Dean Crowe Theatre.
Athlone Choral Society
A Community in HarmonyFor decades, the Athlone Choral Society has brought together voices from all walks of life, performing a wide repertoire of classical and contemporary works and enriching the town's cultural calendar with their concerts.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Guardians of TraditionThe local branch of Comhaltas is the vibrant heart of traditional Irish culture in Athlone. From regular music sessions for all ages to classes in instruments and the Irish language, they are instrumental in passing on vital skills. They play a central role in major events like the Fleadh Cheoil and Féile na Sionainne, ensuring the tradition is not just preserved, but lived.
Visit National SitePopular Bands: 1930s - Present
From the dancehall days of the orchestras to the rock, pop, and indie acts that followed, Athlone has produced and hosted countless popular bands. This section is a growing archive of those who provided the soundtrack for generations.
The Dance Orchestras
1930s - 1950sBefore the showbands, dance orchestras ruled the halls. Venues like The Crescent Ballroom were filled with the sounds of acts like Jack Behan's Blue Crotchets, The Crescent Orchestra, and The Twilight Dance Band.
The Showband Era
1960sThe dancehall craze reached its peak, and Athlone was at the heart of it. Legendary local showbands like Syd and the Saints and The Central 7 packed venues across the country.
Showbands Evolve
1970sAs tastes shifted, so did the bands. The 70s saw a new wave of popular groups who kept the showband spirit alive, including The Avengers, Tarzan and the Monkees, and The Goldsmiths.
The Rise of Rock
1980sInspired by global trends, the 80s marked the emergence of rock music in Athlone's pubs and clubs, with a new generation of musicians trading brass for electric guitars and creating a louder, edgier sound.
The Indie Explosion
1990sThe 90s saw an explosion of young, alternative bands forming across the town. The most popular of these was Murv, who became local legends and represented a new era for original music in Athlone.
A New Millennium
2000sThe independent scene continued to thrive into the 2000s with a diverse range of sounds from bands like Skinsize Kings, My Fallen Empire, and Nomatrix.
The Modern Shift
2010sThis decade saw a shift towards acclaimed solo performers, while still producing distinct and creative bands like The Driftwood Manor, Philharmongrel, and Kiosoma.
Today's Scene & The Future
Present DayToday, a new generation of young bands is nurtured and developed in the town's rehearsal spaces and recording studios, continuing Athlone's unbroken chain of musical innovation and ensuring the legacy lives on.
Bands A-Z
A growing archive of the many bands that have shaped Athlone's sound. Click a letter to jump to that section.
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Musicians A-Z
An index of individual artists, performers, and songwriters from or associated with Athlone. Click a letter to jump to that section.
A Timeline of Music & History
Athlone's history is written in its music. This timeline chronicles over a century of key moments, from revolutionary bandmasters and global superstars to tragic voyages and the birth of a national broadcast service, all shaping the town's unique sound.
1796
Patrick Keating is born, the man who would become the father of Athlone's musical renaissance.
1820s
A veteran of Waterloo, Patrick Keating returns to Athlone and begins forming bands, sparking a vibrant cultural revival.
1843
Keating’s band performs at Daniel O’Connell’s historic Monster Meeting in Summerhill, their music a powerful voice for change.
Late 1840s
Amid the devastation of the Great Famine, Keating mentors a young Patrick Gilmore, passing on his musical and revolutionary ideals.
1849
Patrick Gilmore emigrates to America, carrying the spirit of Athlone's music scene with him to a new world.
1861
Patrick Gilmore and his band enlist in the Union Army during the American Civil War, bringing music to the front lines.
1863
While serving in the war, Gilmore pens the iconic anthem “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”
1869
Gilmore organizes the monumental National Peace Jubilee in Boston to celebrate the end of the Civil War.
Late 1870s
Mentored by Keating, Michael Kilkelly leads the Athlone Brass Band at land evictions, using music to support tenants during the Land War.
1880
Patrick Gilmore’s band performs for Charles Stewart Parnell at a rally in Madison Square Garden, New York.
1886
In a patriotic highlight, Patrick Gilmore’s band performs at the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.
Early 1890s
As choirmaster, Michael Kilkelly discovers the extraordinary talent of a young John McCormack, setting him on a path to stardom.
1902
Henry Foy co-founds the Athlone Musical Society. In the same year, John McCormack wins gold at the Dublin Feis Ceoil.
1912
Athlone piper Eugene Daly and local resident Bertha Mulvihill miraculously survive the sinking of the Titanic.
1919
Henry Foy starts Ireland's first jazz band, the Harry Foy Jazz Quartette, while John McCormack becomes a U.S. citizen at the height of his fame.
1922–1923
The Irish Civil War fractures the community, causing Athlone’s vibrant music scene to fall silent as bands disband.
1926
Ireland’s first national radio station, 2RN, is launched near Athlone, heralding a new era for music broadcasting.
1928
In recognition of his global stature and charity work, John McCormack is given the title of Papal Count.
1932
McCormack's voice unites the nation, broadcast from Athlone's new high-powered transmitter during the Eucharistic Congress.
1938
The radio station in Athlone is officially named Radio Éireann, sparking a new explosion of bands and orchestras.
1953
Athlone hosts the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the prestigious national festival of traditional Irish music, cementing its status as a musical hub.
Our Vision: The Athlone Music Museum
This rich history deserves a permanent home. We believe Athlone needs a dedicated space to celebrate its musical pioneers, inspire future generations, and serve as a cultural landmark for the entire region.
Preserve the Legacy
Create a permanent archive for the stories, instruments, and artifacts of Athlone's musical giants.
Inspire the Future
Provide an interactive space for education, workshops, and performances, nurturing the next wave of musicians.
Boost Our Town
Establish a key tourist destination that enriches Athlone's cultural and economic life.
This vision can only become a reality with your support.
The Athlone Music Trail is Coming!
Our interactive Music Trail Map is under development. It will guide you through the town's most significant sites. Be the first to know when it launches and show your support for the Athlone Music Museum project!
Get Notified & Join the CauseOur Heritage Products
Support the museum project by taking a piece of Athlone's musical history home. All proceeds go towards preserving our town's legacy.
Historical Postcard Set
Set of 5 postcards featuring iconic Athlone musical landmarks and figures.
Athlone Music Legends Poster
A2 decorative poster celebrating key musicians from Athlone's history.
Heritage Booklet
A detailed guide to Athlone's rich musical history and its key figures.
Get Involved & Show Your Support
Your support is crucial. By registering your interest, you help us demonstrate the community's desire for an Athlone Music Museum. Please fill out the form below to join our mailing list for updates and to share your own stories.
You can also follow the project's journey on social media: