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Fáilte Celtic kin! Clonmacnoise is worth checking out en route to Dublin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonmacnoise and of course the river Shannon itself which is one of the biggest rivers in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Shannon
Might be able to get a boat ride at Athlone?

Athlone itself is on the Shannon and has a castle, cathedral, some cosy old bars namely Seáns bar near the castle which some say is the oldest bar in Ireland although others disagree. I'm staying neutral!

I'm leaving it to a Westmeath native to fill you in on the rest! Enjoy!

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Athlone Castle (I have read, would be worthwhile checking online) is closed for renovations or such. As for Sean's Bar, well it atleast has a credited course for its claim, namely the Guinness Book of Records but it is an issue of definition. I've been to Athlone a couple of times and never felt the love; plus any places that doesn't give me great big signs pointing me from the centre of town to the Dublin entrance for the motorway can go get stuffed.

Ahem.

If history is of interest head to Ballinasloe for Battle of Aughrim visitor centre and also Clonfert Cathedral; the cathedral is the burial site of Brendan the navigator who may or may not have made to the Americas in AD500s.

You might like Belvedere House and Gardens near Mullingar, google to see if it floats your boat and to check opening times (which you should also do for BoA centre, it is April after all and the tourism world - in parts - will still be rising or just risen form its winter slumber).

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Thanks for your helpfull info & consideration...appreciated !

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Also just off the motorway is Lockes Distillery and restaurant in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath...

http://www.lockesdistillerymuseum.ie/