Former Athlone Mayor Austin Berry dies, aged 83

Austin Berry, a former Mayor of Athlone and hugely respected member of the local community, died earlier today (Monday) at the age of 83.

He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Assumption Road.

Originally from county Offaly, Austin came to Athlone to join the Army in 1947. He subsequently worked in several roles to enhance and promote the Defence Forces.

In a parallel career to his life in Custume Barracks, he was a talented musician. One of the country’s highest rated mouthorgan players, he won four All-Ireland championships for playing the instrument and also helped to bring young musicians to the same prizewinning level.

Politics came later in life for him and he won a tough local election to join Athlone Town Council as an Independent in 1999, when he was 69 years old.

He spent ten years as a councillor, the highlight of which was the year (2004/05) in which he served as Mayor of Athlone. His autobiography, 'Stepping Back in Time’, was launched in 2012.

May he rest in peace.