Clifden to Glasson 170 KM, 2.5 Hours (Highway driving)
We decided to stay somewhere with a pool and spa for our last night, and the Glasson Lake House — with its great reviews — did not disappoint. Honestly, it could have been anywhere, but being halfway between Clifden and Dublin made it perfect for us, since we didn’t want a long drive to the airport on our last day.
The ancient town of Athlone is close by. It's on the Shannon River and it was the site of many battles and Viking incursions.
Athlone also happens to have Ireland’s oldest pub — Sean’s Bar, which dates back to around 900 AD. It’s pretty cool; obviously, there are lots of tourists, but it works. There’s plenty of neat stuff on the walls and displayed around the bar, giving it loads of character.
Viking raiders used the River Shannon as a route into Ireland’s interior, which brought them near Athlone and allowed attacks on wealthy sites like monasteries. In 937, Vikings from Limerick are said to have traveled up the Shannon and clashed with Norse groups from Dublin near Athlone.
