The military importance of Athlone dates from the erection the castle and of a bridge over the river by John de Grey, hop of Norwich and justiciar of Ireland, in 1210. It became seat of the presidency of Connaught under Elizabeth, and Lhstood a siege by the insurgents in 1641. In the war of ~8 the possession of Athlone was considered of the greatest portance, and it consequently sustained two sieges, the first William III. in person, which failed, and the second by neral Godart van Ginkel , who, on the 30th of June ~I, in the face of the Irish, forded the river and took possession the town, with the loss of only fifty men. Ginkel was subluently created earl of Athlone, and his descendants held the Ic till it became extinct in 1844. In 1797 the town was ongly fortified on the Roscommon side, the works covering acres and containing two magazines, an ordnance store, armoury with 15,000 stands of arms and barracks for 1500 men. ie works are now dismantled. Athlone was incorporated by James 1., and returned two members to the Irish parliament.