After the battle of the Boyne in 1690, Lieut.-General Douglas, with ten regiments of infantry, three of horse, two of dragoons, twelve field-pieces, and two small mortars, endeavoured to take possession of Athlone. The bridge across the Shannon was broken, and he erected his batteries on the Leinster side of the river.
He continued the cannonading for eight days, but his powder running short he was obliged to retire. In his despatch he stated he had done his best, and that it was his opinion Athlone Castle was “of the greatest importance of any in Ireland.”
Colonel Richard Grace held the fortress for King James.
The following year the main division of William’s army, under de Genckell, laid siege to the town. At once seizing that portion of it that is in Leinster, he began to play his batteries on the north-east side of the castle on June 22nd. By seven in the evening he had made a large breach in the walls.
Firing continued all night, and by five in the morning the side of the castle next the river was completely broken down, and the garrison was obliged to go in and out by a hole made in the wall on the western side.
The following evening the castle garrison raised two batteries above the castle, and some others, but the firing had little effect. The bridge was slowly and surely gained by the besieging troops, and their guns played constantly on the fortress, wrecking the Connaught tower and walls.
Two officers deserting from the town informed William’s troops that the best regiments had been withdrawn by St. Ruth, and thereupon a concerted and sudden attack was made on the 30th of June, which carried the bridge, castle, and town by storm.
Repairs were at once begun by the victors on July 3rd, and in 1697 the castle was the chief depôt of military stores in the west.
It is now used as a barrack, and officers’ quarters and other buildings have been erected inside the walls.
Weld, “Statistical Survey of Co. Roscommon.” Joly, “Old Bridge of Athlone.” Parliamentary Gazetteer. State Documents. State Papers. Carew MSS. O’Donovan, “Annals of the Four Masters.” D’Alton, “History of Drogheda.” Proceedings of Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. In Journal of same, Langrishe, “Walls of Athlone,” and “Sieges of Athlone.”