 At the first battle of Athlone in 1690, the Jacobite forces of Colonel Richard Grace repelled an attack by 10,000 men led by Commander Douglas.The following year the Siege of Athlone saw a further assault in which the troops of King William III eventually prevailed against the outnumbered defenders.The current bridge was built in the 19th century to replace the old bridge which was becoming dangerous to the increasing volume of traffic.