Front row L to R: Tommy Hogan CEO Athlone Chamber, Patrick Griffin Providence USA, Cllr Frankie Keena Treasurer, John Henson, Chairman, Johanna Archbold, Head Librarian TUS, Westmeath footballer Kieran Martin with students from TUS at the launch of the Croí na hÉireann Festival over St Patrick's weekend.

Athlone's Croí na hÉireann festival officially launched

Deirdre Verney

Published: Mon 19 Feb 2024, 3:39 PM

With less than a month to go to St Patrick's Day, Athlone's Croí na hÉireann Festival, taking place from March 14 to 18 next, was officially launched last week in TUS.

It was attended by a cross-section of student bodies including musical, cultural and sporting groups alongside Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Griffin, President of the Providence Rhode Island St Patrick's Day Parade and some members of the local festival organising committee.

While a full of calendar of events will be released shortly, the festival organisers announced there will be a 5km run from Athlone Regional Sports Centre on the morning of March 17, music from Athlone Comhaltas musicians and Féile na Sionnaine stalwarts in the centre of the town prior to a big festival parade on Monday, March 18.

Other events in the run-up to St Patrick's weekend include a Teddy Bear's picnic on March 16, music therapy sessions in Athlone Library on March 15, a futsal competition in TUS, a fishing competition on Lough Ree, water safety demonstrations, walking tours of Athlone and the visit of McFadden funfair to the town for the duration of the five-day festival.

Chairman John Henson, welcomed all in attendance at last Thursday's launch in TUS, particularly Athlone Chamber of Commerce CEO Tommy Hogan, Patrick Griffin, President of the Providence Rhode Island St Patrick's Day Parade, who was holidaying in Athlone at the time, and was delighted to join the launch. A native of Ballydangan, Mr Griffin has been a big supporter of the Athlone festivities and has hosted the Mayor and local visitors in Rhode Island over recent years.

Mr Henson spoke of exciting times ahead for the festival and its committee with the links that have been forged with the media, marketing and tourism elements within TUS. He paid a special tribute to Johanna Archibold and her team at TUS who have driven this collaboration from the start.

Festival treasurer, Cllr Frankie Keena, had a special words of thanks for both Johanna Archbold, Joanna Gillivan and their colleagues in TUS for opening the doors of this fabulous university to assist voluntary festival committee.

“The secret of success for this festival is to have close collaboration with all relevant groups such as TUS, the council, Chamber of Commerce, other festival committees and indeed the many sporting and voluntary groups in the town,” he said.

A full calendar of events for Athlone Croí na hÉireann Festival 2024 will be released in the coming week.