OUT NOW: See what's inside this week's edition of the Westmeath Independent
After one of the most dramatic elections of recent times - which has left Athlone without a TD - we have a bumper edition of the Westmeath Independent this week where you can read all about the drama that unfolded in both the Longford/Westmeath Count Centre in Athlone's AIT, and the Roscommon/Galway Count in the Hyde Centre in Roscommon town.
Apart from all the election drama, here's a short summary of other interesting stories and events from around the region which you can also read about in this week's paper:
* Plans to convert historic Hermitage Building for sheltered housing
* 5-year old local child, Ruby Morrissey, suffers from a very rare condition called EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). Read her story this week.
* A novel music project in Temple Accommodation Centre has crossed all boundaries of race, culture and religion.
* Assistant Chief of Staff with the Defence Forces, Brigadier General Peter O'Halloran from Retreat Park, retired last week after 42 years of service. We have full details and pictures.
* Election fever was everywhere last week, even in Ardnagrath National School, where the children of 5th and 6th Class had their own Polling Day on Thursday last. We have all the details plus some lovely pictures from the event.
* We feature dance maestro, Lea Carroll, who is Athlone Musical Society's choreographer, in our Independent People slot this week.
PICTURES:
* All the thrills, spills, tears and triumphs from the Longford/Westmeath and Roscommon/Galway Election Count Centres.
* Polling Day in Ardnagrath National School.
* Marist and Bower's superb production of “Grease”
SPORT
* Marist victory in GAA Leinster Schools SF 'A' quarter final propels them to last four slot.
* We preview Buccaneers upcoming All-Ireland Division 2A encounter with Dolphin this weekend.
* Rossies claim first win in Allianz Football League Division 2 with win over Clare, and Westmeath also claim victory with gritty 14-man team.