Athlone (Irish: Baile Átha Luain, meaning "town of Luan's ford") is a town on the River Shannon near the southern shore of Lough Ree in Ireland.
It is on the border of counties Roscommon (province of Connacht) and Westmeath (province of Leinster). Although the River Shannon forms the historic border between Roscommon and Westmeath, the Local Government Act of 1898 designated all of Athlone (Urban) as belonging to Westmeath, including areas west of the river. Much recent growth has occurred outside the official town boundaries. Monksland for example, a suburb on the west side of the town, is not within the official town boundaries, yet it is the most populous area of County Roscommon.
The Census of Ireland 2011 recorded the population of the town at 20,153 with in excess of 40,000 thought to be living within and outside of the official town boundary.
The town was described by IDA Ireland as "the commercial capital of the Irish Midlands" and it is governed by an elected town council, which appoints a Mayor.
Athlone is near the geographical centre of Ireland which is 8.85 kilometres north-northwest of the town, in the townland of Carnagh East in County Roscommon.
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