Athlone Croí na hÉireann festival set to kick off in less than a week
The countdown is underway for the eagerly anticipated Athlone Croí na hÉireann festival, kicking off on Thursday, March 14 next and concluding with a massive parade in the town on Monday, March 18.
A great crew of volunteers braved the cold recently to put up bunting throughout the town in a bid to create a festive atmosphere for everyone in the run-up to St Patrick's Day and the Bank Holiday weekend.
Among the events this year over the five days include guided walks, a kid's treasure hunt and teddy bears picnic, an underage futsal tournament, exhibitions, Irish dancing, music therapy sessions and McFadden's fun fair will be in Burgess Park for the duration.
On St Patrick's Day itself, there will be a 5km run/walk kicking off from Athlone Regional Sports Centre at 10am, followed by traditional music provided by Féile na Sionnaine and Comhaltas musicians at the canopy in the centre of the town.
In line with what has happened over the last few years, Athlone's parade will not take place on St Patrick's Day, but the day after, Monday, March 18 at 2pm. It will be led by Grand Marshal, Gerry Johnson, Chairperson of Athlone Tidy Towns.
Athlone Croí na hÉireann festival chairperson John Henson said they are delighted that Gerry is the Grand Marshal of the town's parade and festivities this year.
“This is our way to say thank you to Gerry and his team for all the work they do on a voluntary basis in keeping Athlone clean and tidy,” he said in tribute.
In accepting the honour, Gerry Johnson, Chairperson of Athlone Tidy Towns said that it is a great privilege for him to be invited to be this year’s parade Grand Marshal.
“Our Tidy Towns committee represents the wider members of our community who are passionate about looking after our environment.
"So as Chairperson, I would like to think that we are being thanked for all our voluntary efforts over the last 20 years and more to make sure that Athlone is a better town to visit and to reside in.
“Personally, as selected Grand Marshal, I look forward to the big St Patrick’s Day Parade and would encourage as many organisations to participate in this great annual event, organised by the festival and parade committee,” urged Gerry.
The festival committee is entirely made up of volunteers who have been very busy over the last number of months in putting together a programme of events for the five days.
“We are so grateful to all the fantastic community and sporting organisations for contacting us, looking to participate in the festival and the grand finale parade. The interest in this year’s festival and parade is extremely high which is so heartening,” Cllr Frankie Keena said this week.
The grand finale parade is scheduled for Monday, March 18 starting at 2pm. The route of the parade is from west to east, and it will start at Athlone Extrusions and finish at Burgess Park.
Again this year, there will be a designated sensory area along John Broderick Street (from Dunnes Stores to Burgess Park) where all parade participants will be asked to march in silence.