CHECK OUT THE LOCAL WHAT'S ON GUIDE!

FRIDAY, July 11
ATHLONE LITTLE THEATRE
It’s your last chance to see the Athlone Little Theatre present two new one-act comedies. The first is 'Holy Mary’ - by renowned Irish author Eoin Colfer - which tells the story of eight-year-old Mary Leary as she prepares for her First Holy Communion.
The second is 'The Commission’ by Scottish author Steven Dick. It is set in a London art gallery as Peter, an irreverent, scruffy but brilliant artist and his agent Bill prepare for the unveiling of Peter’s latest work.
The curtain goes up at 8pm and tickets are priced €10. Contact 090 64 74324.

SESSION IN MOATE
The latest sessions in Moate, held as part of the Fleadh Cheoil, take place in P Egan’s (10pm) and The Gap House (singing session, 10pm).

THE GIG RIG
From Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13, the Fleadh Cheoil Gig Rig will be staged across the road from the Grand Hotel, Moate. All are welcome to attend and to enjoy the musical fare.

SOCCER MATCH
Athlone Town’s quest to avoid relegation from the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division continues on Friday, July 11 with a home match against Limerick FC in Lissywoolen. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

ATHLONE GAA
Cards in the Club takes place every Friday night at 8.30pm. Further information contact 086 8266270.

CASTLEDALY FIT CLUB
Castledaly Fit Club continues to meet up on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.45pm at the walking track. New members always welcome.

Midlands Simon
The Midlands Simon Community are holding a Bag Pack at Dunnes Stores, Irishtown, Athlone, on Friday and Saturday.

SATURDAY, July 12
RACE OF THE SOUTH
The National Road Race Round of Irish Championship Riders from the 32 counties, England, and Wales takes place in Walderstown, Athlone on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Promoted by Fore Motor Cycles Club Ltd. Contact dobsonfore@gmail.com or phone 044 9661267/ 087 2639509.

JOIN OUR BOYS
The Annual 5K Charity Fun Run in aid of Join Our Boys will be held at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on Saturday, July 12. Registration from 10.30am, start time 12 noon. For further information contact fitness@hodsonbayhotel.com or phone 090 6442010.

ATHLONE CASTLE
The Visitor Centre will host a medieval fair on july 12 and 13. See more at www.athlonecastle.ie

OPEN WATER SWIM
Open Water Swimmer presents a new location and a new swim distance for our 2014 calendar with the hosting of the Hodson Mile Swim, which will be run from the spectacular grounds of the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on the tranquil shore of Lough Ree. Take your pick of the 750m or 1 mile courses. Registration is between 8amd and 9am for 750m and 8am to 10am for 1 Mile. Swim Cap, race numbers and goodie bags can be collected at this time.

FLEADH CHEOIL
Three venues host the latest in the Fleadh Cheoil Nightly sessions. They take place in Don’s (5pm), Bo Allen’s (10pm) and The Gap House (singing session, 10pm).

SUNDAY, JUly 13
SKYBOXING CHALLENGE
Athlone ITF Martial arts and Fitness cen tre, Monksland, Athlone, will host a Tough Fitness Charity SKYBOXING Challenge fundraising event in Aid of Join Our Boys. This exciting event is booked for Sunday, july 20, in the Monksland full-time martial arts and fitness centre. Please email pfox@athloneitf.com if you wish to participate as early as possible as places are limited to 20 people. NO CHARGE TO PARTICIPANTS. This event will have sponsorship cards to generate the funds. All sponsorship money will go to Join Our Boys.

ST FRANCIS FC
Athlone district schoolboy/girl league club st francis are holding a family fun day at iona park between 2pm and 4pm for girls and boys. contact 086 4145067 or 086 6049154.

CRUACHAIN SAGAIRT (TUBBERCLAIR)
The Parish Pastoral Council are planning to have the outdoor mass at the Mass Rock known as Cruachain Sagairt on Sunday, July 6 at 12pm instead of the usual 11am mass.

FLEADH SESSION
There’s two more Fleadh sessions planned for Moate on Sunday, July 13; in Vincent Coughlan’s at 5pm and in The Grand Hotel, Moate at 10pm.

MONDAY, JUly 14
ATHLETICS IRELAND FOREST FEAST SUMMER CAMPS
To be held in Athlone Institute of Technology on Monday, July 14 to Friday, July 18. Camps are open to children aged 6 and over, and are priced at €50 for one week with a €10 discount for a second child. Each camp begins on a Monday and runs right through to Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm. For bookings see www.athleticsireland.ie/summercamps

WALKING CLUB
Walking club meets every Monday and Wednesday evening at 8pm at Ballymahon Library to do the canal walk.

ART CLASSES
Rosemarie Langtry, resident artist at The Art and Heritage Artist Studios provides adult art classes on Mondays from 10.30am to 12.30pm and children’s art and craft classes from 4pm to 5.30pm on Mondays.

TUESDAY, JULY 15

ZUMBA
Zumba fitness classes are underway on Tuesday mornings at 10am in Tubberclair Hall. Get in shape the FUN way! Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class so it is a workout while partying! Suitable for all fitness levels.  For more information check www.facebook.com/zumbawithcaro or call 087 2311205.  
 
ART CLASSES
Art classes continue for beginners at Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30 at Dean Egan Bridgeways Resource Centre, Ballymahon. Improvers classes on Wednesday 7pm to  9pm at Sisters Mercy House, Main Street, Ballymahon beside the Country Shop. Fifth and sixth classes on Tuesdays from 3pm to 4.30pm at Ballymahon primary school. Contact Frances at 090 64 32203 or email: hfkelleher@eircom.net

mARYLAND WALKING CLUB
Maryland Walking Club continues to meet on Tuesdays and Friday at 8pm in the park.

COMING SOON
KILBEGGAN RACES
The Kilbeggan Races Midlands National & Ladies Day takes place at the racecourse in Loughnagore, Kilbeggan, from 6pm on Friday, July 18.

BRIDESWELL PATTERN FESTIVAL
This 5 day festival celebrating community spirit, music, theatre, dance and family fun takes place in Brideswell, Co Roscommon, from July 24-28.

QPR V ATHLONE TOWN
Harry Redknapp’s Premier League side, Queens Park Rangers, will take on Athlone Town in a friendly in Lissywollen on Tuesday, August 5.

COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Ballymore County Music Festival will be staged on August 4 in Ballymore Park. Contact 086 9227258.

SHANNON BOAT RALLY
The IWAI will hold its Shannon Boat Rally along the river Shannon from Lough Ree Yacht Club, Athlone to Ballinasloe from Friday, July 25 to Sunday, August 3.

SHADOWMAN
2014 sees the second Annual Shadowman Middle & Long Distance Triathlon’s take place on Sunday, August 3, at Coosan, Athlone. For further info see http://shadow-man.com