The Diary: What's on in your locality??

THURSDAY, MARCH 13

APP LAUNCH
Athlone Community College launch their new app today at 3.30pm in the school. The launch will be performed by Denis Naughten TD.

SEAN NOS DANCING
Classes are held in Ballybay Hall, Kiltoom, every Thursday evening from 6.30 to 7.30PM. Adults and children - all are welcome. Admission €5. Contact Sharleen at: 086 3911128.

KNIT AND NATTER
Moate Knit & Natter meets every Thursday from 11am to 1pm in Tuar Ard restaurant and coffee Shop. The group is very informal and suits all abilities incl. total beginners, both knitting and crochet is catered for  and best of all it is free. If you are interested in joining us call : Yvonne 087 4126939 or Theresa 087 2651884 or just drop in and introduce yourself.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14
ATHLONE TOWN FC
Athlone Town take on Shamrock Rovers in the first home game of the SSE Airtricity League premier division on Friday night. Kick off in Lissywoollen is 7.45pm

BALLINASLOE EXHIBITION
The Ballinasloe-based professional artist collective, Group 8, will launch its fifth annual exhibition of art and writing, 'After Garbally’, this Friday
(March 14) at 7pm in The Regency Room at Hayden’s Hotel, Ballinasloe. The exhibition will take place between March 14 and 17 - daily from 11am to 6pm - including Saint Patrick’s Day.

CHARITY AUCTION
In partnership with the Fine Art and Photography Society in AIT, Luan Gallery presents UNHEARD OF, a collection of artworks donated by both emerging and established artists for auction.
The proceeds will be split between Midlands Simon Community, Special Olympics Ireland and A.I.T. Student Hardship Fund.
The artworks are currently on display on lower ground floor in Luan Gallery and the auction will be held at 6pm.

SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE
Celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014 with great Irish music by Ellen Costello agus a cháirde at Aidan Heavey Public Library, Athlone from 3pm.

TABLE QUIZ
Drum Heritage annual table quiz on Friday, March 14 in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel at 8.30pm. Teams of four €40, individuals €10. Up to four placings and
monster raffle on the night. A great night assured.

ATHLONE GAA REGISTRATION
Interested in playing Gaelic football? Boys and Girls, all ages and all abilities welcome to join. Just come along to the registration evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm or contact the Registrar at 087 6799472.

BIODIVERSITY EVENT
Westmeath County Council in association with the Heritage Forum Biodiversity Working Group is holding a public information and fact gathering day on Friday, March 14, in the atrium of Athlone Civic Offices from 10am to 4pm.

CEILI DANCING
Set/céilí dancing in Dún na Sí, Moate tonight with music by The Davey’s from 9pm – 12am, Admission is €10 and all are welcome.

BRIDGE IN GLASSON
Bridge has resumed on Fridays in The Fatted Calf, Glasson, at 10.30am. All are welcome.
 
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
COUCH TO 10K CYCLE
Lecarrow Lazers Cycling Club is running a couch to 10km cycle for anyone interested in taking up cycling from 14 years of age upwards. Meet in canal car park Lecarrow at 10.30am every Saturday morning. Training will be given by Cycling Ireland coaches and members from the club. Participants must have a road worthy bike and wear a helmet at all times and bring a drink. Contact Dermot at 086 3552969 for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16
STRICTLY COME DANCING
Caulry GAA will hold a Strictly Come Dancing on March 16 in the Radisson Hotel. More details later.

ART AND CRAFT WORKSHOP
Resident artist in Artist Studios in Abbey Road, Rosemarie Langtry, runs an Adult Art and Craft workshop on the second Sunday of every month. Anyone interested can call Rosemarie 086 39346030.

SET DANCING WORKSHOP
A set dancing workshop takes place on Sunday, March 16 next with Padraig & Róisín McEneany from 2pm to 5pm Admission is €15. Contact Sharleen McCaffrey to reserve your place 086 3911128.

CÉILÍ
St Patrick’s weekend céilí in Dún na Sí, Moate this Sunday from 7pm to 10pm. Music by 'Rise The Dust’. Admission is €10.

MONDAY, MARCH 17

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Parade starts at 2.30pm from Golden Island with plenty of music, entertainment and buskers. Children’s Magic Show in the Civic Square at 3.15pm to 4.15pm. Bouncing Castle in the Civic Square at 2pm-4pm All Children’s Entertainment free of charge. Come along and join the fun. Sponsored by Athlone Town Council.

TUBBERCLAIR PARADE
It is hoped that all organisations in the parish will take part in this year’s St Patrick’s day Parade which will start at 10.30am from Maddens.

SVP RUN
The St Vincent de Paul 'Paddy Run’ is set for St Patrick’s Day March 17 next, beginning from Athlone Regional Sports Centre. 5k/10k run and walk options available. Register online at sportstiming.ie or on the day. €15 individual registration online or €20 on the day. Family registration is €25 online and €30 on the day.

ST HILDA’S FUNDRAISER
Fundraiser dance for St Hilda’s Special Olympic team takes place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on St Patrick’s night with music by TR Dallas & friends. Dancing from 9.30pm to 12.30am Door Prize & Raffle on the Night! €10 admission.

GOLF CLASSIC
Glasson Country House Hotel and Golf Club is hosting a Charity Golf Classic in aid of Midlands Simon Community on St Patrick’s Day.  Tee times from 8am to 2.30pm. To book, please call 090 6485120. Teams of 4 are €100.
This golf classic is in conjunction with Pauline and Claire Smith’s trip to Base Camp Mount Everest in aid of Midlands Simon Community.

ART SESSIONS
Weekly adult art sessions start on a Monday morning upstairs in the Art and Heritage Artist Studio in Athlone.
Classes are friendly, relaxed and will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm each morning. Also a children’s art workshop takes place on a Monday evening from 4pm - 5.30 pm. Contact artist Rosemarie Langtry on 0863934603

TUESDAY, MARCH 18
CHESS CLUB
A new chess club has been formed in Tubberclair. Anyone interested should attend Tubberclair GAA clubhouse on Tuesday evenings at 8pm. Bring a board if you can. For more information, freetext 'CHESS’ followed by your name to 50123.

ART CLASSES
Adult art classes on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Dean Egan Bridgeways Resource Centre, Ballymahon. Improvers meet on Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm at Sister of Mercy House, beside the Country Shop, Ballymahon.

LINE DANCING CLASSES
Line dancing classes in Athlone GAA Club, Pair Ciarain, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, on Tuesdays. Beginners 7-8pm, intermediate and advanced 8-11pm. Admission €8. Fun night guaranteed. No partner required.

COMING SOON
ROSEMOUNT DRAMA GROUP
The group will present Tom, Dick and Harry, in Tuar Ard Arts Centre, Moate, from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30. More details later.

PUBLIC MEETING
Diabetes Ireland will hold a public information evening in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Northgate Street, Athlone on Wednesday, March 26 at 7.30pm. The event is free to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

MAYOR’S BALL
The Mayor’s Ball promoting the ACT project 'Opportunity in a Million’ takes place in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone on Saturday, March 29 at 8pm. Tickets €40. Please support this community initiative to create and retain jobs in Athlone. For tickets, call 090 64 94555 or email Michael manageract@eircom.net or Jimmy oim@actathlone.ie

7K RUN/WALK
A 7K fun run/walk takes place on April 20 next in aid of the Friends of St Luke’s Hospital starting from Glasson Heritage Centre at 10am. Entry is €10. Contact Julieanne Ryan 087 2842485.

CLONOWN RUN
Please note the annual Clonown 5k/10k runs which take place on Sunday, April  27 next in Clonown are now available for online entry. For more information, check https://www.facebook.com/Athlone10krun.

PIKE FESTIVAL
Lough Ree International Pike Festival takes place from Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 11, next on Lough Ree.

SPRING EXPO
Spring Expo takes place on April 13 in St John’s Community Centre, Lecarrow.

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
At 4am on Saturday, May 10 Athlone will hold its first Darkness into Light 5K walk/run to help raise much needed funds for Pieta House, centre for the prevention of self harm and suicide. Check Facebook for updates.

PITCH AND PUTT
Woodview Ladies Pitch and Putt season resumes on Sunday, March 30, at 2.30pm at the Woodview course in Bealnamulla. New members always welcome. For further information, please call 087 9863717.