50 years ago this week, work started on a new Athlone housing development
The following is an edited extract from the Westmeath Independent of July 18, 1970:
A two million pound housing development scheme gets under way in Athlone
Work commenced this week on the building of 270 houses on the Moate Road, on a site opposite the new regional college of technology – an ambitious scheme that should give a much needed spurt to development along other lines in Athlone
The firm behind the scheme is Erris Estates Ltd., a young progressive team of highly skilled personnel, with their own engineers and architects and backed by carefully selected local subcontractors and labour force. This combined with their own office staff and sales department, ensures efficiency all along the line.
Chairman and managing director of the firm, Mr. Sean Doherty, is one man who not only sees Athlone with a great future but is prepared to play a practical part in helping to place the town in its rightful place on the map.
Why did he select Athlone? He told our representative this week that after ten months of research he was satisfied that Athlone had great possibilities in many directions.
He added: "Whilst sentiment and business do not mix, I am a chip off the old block, being a west of the Shannon man myself. Notwithstanding, I'm convinced that a substantial improvement in the "spread" of industry must take place in Athlone. A growth in the number of people employed creates a demand for housing at various levels. Amenities, including shopping and services, follow. On the tourist front Mr. Doherty believes that Athlone should expand considerably in the next few years and in this connection he would like to see an airport in Athlone.
"In fact," he added, "I would be one of the very first to subscribe to such a venture. With such beautiful scenery on the Shannon and the hospitality of the people it, would encourage the French, German, English and Scottish tourists to fly in regularly for boating and fishing."
He emphasised that Athlone as the centre of Ireland must become a growth centre. With the new Regional College just completed and a new vocational school ready to commence building and the prospect of the Department of Education coming to Athlone and, he hoped, a few factories in the pipeline, he had complete confidence in the town's future.