Market-house in Athlone

The medieval market place of the east town of Athone was located in the area now known as Custume Place. Around 1586-7 a timber market house was constructed in the market place. In 1703 a 'three-storey high arcaded stone tholsel and market house, with tower surmounted by a cross' was built in the market place replacing the old market house (Murtagh 1994, 12). In 1837 the Tholsel was demolished. Today there are no surface remains visible of the Tholsel or of the earlier market house in Custume Place. The location of the Tholsel is depicted on Thomas Sheppard's map of Athlone dating from 1784 (Murtagh 1994, 12). In 1578, a 21 year lease was granted to Edmund O'Fallon a merchant of Athlone, which included ‘a castle in Athlone called the east gate [Dublin Gate], near the church yard of the parish church [WM029-042021-], and a parcel of land adjoining the said castle, lying in breadth from the east towards the market place of the town 60 feet [18m], and in length towards the Shynnyn 200 feet [61m]’ (Nicholls 1994, 467). In the same year there is another reference to the location of this market place in a lease to Henry Brande which included 'Two tenements in Athelone, in co. Westmeath, in the tenure of Rob. Damporte, near the castle or gate called the north gate, by the house of the friars [WM029-042042-], containing in breadth 106 feet [32m], and from the street towards the town wall in length 160 feet [49m], and a castle or gatehouse in the north part of the said town, with 80 feet [24m] of land adjoining, extending from the castle [north gate] towards the market place as the street goeth on the west side of the street, and so thence to the low water mark of the River Shenen [Shannon]’ (Nicholls 1994, 472-3). In 1586 a timber market house was constructed in the market place when the crown granted a lease to 'John Rawson, soldier; of the market place of Athlone, being 20 yards [18m] long by 15 yards [14m], and a stonewall adjoining for the foundation of a market house; in consideration of his building forthwith a timber market house on this foundation; leaving room for two carts to the High street and one cartway round the markethouse. To hold with the customs of the market for 21 years. rent 6s., English. Provided that he shall not alien, without license under the great seal, to any except they be of English nation both by father and mother, or born in the English Pale’ (Nicholls 1994, 2). A second market place was located on the Roscommon side of Athlone town opposite the castle (WM029-042002-) although no market house appears to have been located on this side of the town. In 1619 the crown granted to the sovereign, burgesses and commonalty of Athlone a ‘licence to hold a weekly market on Saturdays in the town on the Roscommon side, and a yearly fair on the Monday after the Epiphany [6th January], and the two days following, with a court of pie-powder, and all the usual rights and privileges of such markets, fairs, and courts; the profits thereof to go in equal shares to the crown and the corporation; the sovereign to be assay-master within the town and liberties, and justice of peace in the town and in Roscommon and Westmeath cos’ (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 422). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 01 November 2013