Project Description

Athlone Castle Redevelopment Plan

First Western was engaged by Athlone Town Council to develop a business plan and business case that would support a grant application for €3m and justify a total investment of €5m in the re development of Athlone Castle and Visitor Centre.

Our approach centred around researching the most optimum experience that should be developed at the Castle and translating this into projections for visitor numbers and associated revenue to both the Castle itself and the direct and indirect spend and spinoffs that this would bring to Athlone and its environs.

The final plan contained detailed 5 year financial, economic and visitor projections, risk analysis, scenario analysis and a justification of the project financially and economically. The plan set the project into context with county, regional and national tourism and development policies to ensure strategic fit. Athlone Town Council were successful in acquiring €3m grant aid for the Castle redevelopment and it opened in 2012 to visitors.