From its origins as a grand mansion house during the famine to its cosy transformation as The Snug bar reflects the warmth and heritage of Ireland's rich past.
Built in about 1602, this entire three story building was known as "The Mansion House". The location of the pub was perfect for surveillance over the River Shannon, the Old Town Bridge and the main "Connaught Marketer Street". It was fortified inside the old town walls and protected by the castle cannons and nearby bastions.
The first known owners were the family of Captain Richard St George who was the govvernor of Athlone town and castle.
Their first son Arthur St. George also resided here and was the town bailiff and commissioner for Poll Money. He represented Athlone in the House of Commons Commons.
This extraordinary pub has survived the Great Famine, two World Wars and a Civil War , this bar has been supplying quality beverages to the public since long before the foundation of The Republic of Ireland in 1922.
Many private meetings were held in The Snug to help organise the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1884.
A Famine pot that was used to feed many locals during poorer times can be found in the beer garden of The Snug.
Prior to the 1960's, Irelands drinking establishments were almost exclusively the domain of men, and no respectable women would or could ever be seen drinking inside. But that doesn't mean that Irish women never drank. They just did in a slightly less conspicuous way: inside small, screened- off rooms attached to the bars called "The Snug".
The Snug was also for patrons who preferred not to be seen in the public bar. The local Garda (police) might nip in for a quiet pint, the parish priest for his evening whisky, or lovers for a rendezvous.