High level of commercial development
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Strong industrial base with great potential for further expansion
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Strategic location
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Excellent road & rail network
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Availability of highly skilled graduates
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Valuable water-based facilities on the River Shannon and Lough Ree
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Five major golf courses within a short distance from Athlone
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Third-level institution with an international reputation for excellence
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Regional centre for a number of key state agencies
The town of Athlone, in the centre of Ireland, is the business centre of the Midlands, with major international industrial companies operating in the region. Ericsson, Elan, Nexans, Tyco Mallinckrodt, ICT Eurotel, Utah Medical, Lund International, M&C Specialties, IO Systems, Athlone Extrusions, Vitabond, Alienware, One Direct, AXA Insurance, Georgia Tech, Innocol, Pharmaplaz, Teleflex and KCI Medical.
The development of the Golden Island Shopping Centre and the €200 million Athlone Town Centre, together with the extensive adjacent shopping developments, has made Athlone the major shopping town in the Midlands. In addition Athlone is surrounded by five retail parks: Arcadia (B&Q, Laura Ashley, Green Apple etc), Kilmartin N6 Centre (Woodies, Harry Corry, Toymaster, Subway etc, Monksland,Business Park (Furniture, Siobhans Dining and Bedding, Midlands Radio3, Athlone Springs Hotel etc), Roscommon Rd, (Ganlys Hardware, Rennault Ireland etc) and Athlone Business Park (Lidil, One Direct, Post Bank, Caseys, Interlink etc).
Leisure facilities in the area such as the Hodson Bay Hotel and Spa, Glasson Golf & Country Club, the Athlone Springs Leisure Centre, Athlone Leisure World etc compliment the natural facilities of the region - the River Shannon, Lough Ree, Clonmacnoise and so on.
The town is a very strong educational centre headed by Athlone Institute of Technology and a FÁS regional training centre. It is the regional headquarters for state bodies the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Defence Forces, Department of Education & Science, and The Revenue Commissioners. |
