Michelle
The prince is a fine hotel and within 5 mins walk of all the good pubs and restaurants(well athlone is a small town) their bar is great and karma(niteclub) the ONLY 1 worth going to in town plus they have a good residents bar for afterwards. your only other real option in the town centre is the sheraton only 2 mins walk from the prince and has no night club and slow enough hotel bar but room,s etc would be better plus they have a spa/pool etc as well if you are ringinging them haggle as trade is slow with all of them.
Restaurants.
Great choice of restaurants in town
olive grove
thyne
hatters
all 1 minute from the prince all excellent olive grove is very big though and can lack atmosphere if not full the other,s are smaller.
di bello, italian and very good value and fast service
kin khao is the thai just 5 mins walk even in high heels. its superb i,m not sure if it was paulo or tom doorley that said it was the best thai he had had outside of asia.(good early bird)
Pubs
Most of the good pubs are over the bridge on the connaught side of town.
if you are in town early enough on the saturday make sure you spend a few hours in seans (at the back of the castle) not fond of hens but as long as your not all bunnied up etc its a great pub to spend some time in.. you also have the snug down there and the castle inn, the palace is good at night but LOUD... gertie browns also a good pub 1 min from the prince.
enjoy the hen
dukey.
ps. avoid 41"s!!!!!

The better pubs seem to be