Help solve an athlone photo mystery

An Athlone native is looking for help to solve a bit of a local photo mystery.

Tommy Connaughton from Griffith Street has got in touch with the Westmeath Independent via Athlone Library in a bid to find out more about this old picture of a group of young boys in a makeshift currach called the Fear of Arann, possibly taken as part of a school play.

The photo was first discovered being thrown out from a premises in Connaught Street about 20 years ago when it was undergoing restoration. It may date from the 1930s, the era when the famous 'Man of Aran’ film was made in the West.

Michael Connaughton, a brother of Tommy, was a photographer in Athlone for many years and the duo are keen to find out more about the mysterious old photograph.

Anyone who can tell us anything about the photo or the people featured, please contact deirdre.verney@westmeathindependent.ie or call 090 64 34322.