Lough Ree East Caravan & Camping Park--- Fishing site
Ballykeeran
Athlone
County Westmeath
Ireland

Tel: 090 6478561 & 6474414

E-mail: athlonecamping@eircom.net
Web site: www.camping-ireland

Site visited June 1999

One of the site guides we toured Ireland with, was the Caravan & Camping Council publication. (nothing to do with the Camping & Caravan Club) Take it with a pinch of salt. Some sites are over appraised others under.
Lough Ree East is a basic campground next to an anglers paradise. The handbook informs the reader that the site is
recommended by the following: RAC, ADAC, ANWB, ACSI.
Another source boast ‘Alan Rogers’ is he a CLIC member or from the other group ?
Both books inform the reader, that the park is bordered by a 500 m stretch of the Breensford Trout River.
Well talk about poetic licence. It`s nothing more than an attractive babbling brook, 4 feet wide and overhung by hedgerows on both banks. Ok for tiddler netting.

The fiction dealt with, Lough Ree East is worth a visit. A small amiable site (40 pitches) hugging a sheltered bay.
The inlet some 30 acres, is separated from the main body of water by a narrow channel. Shore fishing, boats for hire from the site owner.
Tackle and bait available in Athlone, two miles away. The fishing’s daft, most methods will produce good results.

Athlone:
Shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants.
We spent an evening out in Athlone, asked our taxidriver`s advice on a good traditional Irish restaurant. Without any hesitation, Conlons, Dublingate, he replied.
Conlons it was.
Homely atmosphere, fine fare served by pleasant, pretty colleen`s. From there we crossed the Shannon to a pub near the castle. Supping stout and reflecting on our visit, the music and singing started, real foot tapping stuff too.
In all the bars, in all the world, none compare to Ireland.

Next day we set of early to catch the morning ferry.
Reached the suburbs of Dublin and adopted a very cautious mode, the inward journey had taught us a lesson. Sod the green light, give way.
Two miles from Dun Laoghaire, we joined the mad scramble for the port. Mayhem, a Shogun UK reg overtook and cut in on us. He made the traffic lights, we didn’t.
Boarded the ferry, settled our Tess down and went on deck. As the boat prepared to sail, we spotted the very same Shogun and dejected looking driver parked on the quay. Caught his attention, gave him the thumbs up and waved goodbye.
Magic place Ireland.

Word of caution.
If you are driving an outfit from Galway City to the Connemara peninsular and the wife says lets take the scenic route. Throw a deaf one, thirty miles and four hours of torture. Janet really loved it, oh look at that, isn`t that Bay beautiful.
The only thing I observed, was the road in front of me and a Priest crossing himself as we passed.

Athlone Castle.
Built by our Norman masters in 1210 to suppress and control. What fear this intimidating fortification must have wielded.
Well worth a visit though, interpretative centre, museum, cafe and gallery.

Nearly forgot.
Site facilities:

Showers basic, clean, 50p. Washroom and toilets above basic, clean.
Elson disposal.
Electric hook ups 3 amp.
All grass pitches.
Payphone.
Dogs, plenty of scope to make your own walk up.
Pub three minutes walk away.

Keith Brown. CLIC. June 1999

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