3-028-542 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from Ireland: barracks and ancient castle of Athlone, 1870. 'On the opposite bank of the Shannon to that on which Athlone proper is situated are the extensive military barracks capable of accommodating 1500 soldiers, including alike cavalry and artillery, as well as infantry. At the present moment, although only about half the foregoing number of troops is installed at Athlone, even this seems to be an undue proportion in a town numbering less than 6000 inhabitants. Athlone enjoys some kind of historic renown, owing to its having stood out for King James for a full year after the Battle of the Boyne, and then having been reduced only after a ten days' close siege, during which time the attacking General expended 1200 cannon-balls, half as many shells, any quantity of stone shot, and fifty tons of gunpowder. The castle, which had to bear the brunt of the siege in question, is shown in the Engraving at the further end of the barracks, and just beyond the bridge of arches erected in 1844 to supplant a very ancient structure dating back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.