Bicycling
Bikes can be rented from D.B. Cycles & Babyland, Unit 3, Magazine Road, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/649-2280), for around €12 per day or €70 per week.
Boating
The following companies rent cabin cruisers, usually for a minimum of 1 week, along this section of the Shannon: Athlone Cruisers, Jolly Mariner Marina, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/647-2892; acl@wmeathtc.iol.ie); and Silverline Cruisers, The Marina, Banagher, County Offaly (057/915-1112; www.silverlinecruisers.com). Crafts range from four to six berths; rates average €1,000 to €2,000 per week in high season.
Golf
Birr Golf Club, The Glens, Birr, County Offaly (057/912-0082; www.birrgolfclub.ie), is an 18-hole course on 45 hectares (111 acres) of parkland countryside; the greens fees is €20 per person.
In the Athlone area is the 18-hole Athlone Golf Club, Hodson Bay, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/649-2073; www.athlonegolfclub.ie), with greens fees of €30 weekdays, €35 weekends; and the 18-hole championship Mount Temple Golf Club, Moate, County Westmeath (tel. 090/648-1841; www.mounttemplegolfclub.com), 8km (5 miles) east of Athlone, with greens fees of €20 weekdays, €25 weekends. The Glasson Golf Hotel & Country Club, Glasson, County Westmeath (tel. 090/648-5120; www.glassongolfhotel.ie), is on the shores of Lough Ree, 10km (6 1/4 miles) north of Athlone. Greens fees are €65 Monday to Thursday, €70 Friday and Sunday, and €75 Saturday.
Lovely parkland and woodland golfing in the Lough Derg area is offered at 18-hole clubs such as Portumna Golf Club, Ennis Road, Portumna, County Galway (tel. 090/974-1059; www.portumnagolfclub.ie), with greens fees of €30 weekdays, €35 weekends.
Horse Racing
The horse racing runs from July to September at the Kilbeggan Racecourse, Loughnagore, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath (057/933-2176; www.kilbegganraces.com), off the main Mullingar road (N52), 1.6km (1 mile) from town. Tickets cost €15, €25 families (2 adults with children aged 15 or under).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
