Civic recognition for local religious orders

Athlone Moate Municipal District is set to host an address of recognition on April 24 next for seven religious orders who made a significant contribution to education in the greater Athlone area over a long number of years.

The date for the civic recognition was formally agreed at the April meeting of the district on Monday of this week, with the event due to take place in Athlone Civic Centre at 5pm.

Cllr Frankie Keena initially proposed that the council honour the contribution made by three religious orders, namely the Marist Brothers; La Sainte Union Sisters and the Mercy Sisters to the education and development of Athlone over the course of the last 130 years.

The idea of expanding the list of religious orders was subsequently put forward by Cllr Liam McDaniel to include those who had been involved in education in areas such as Moate and Kilbeggan.

The final list of religious orders to be honoured has been expanded to seven: The Marist Brothers Order, Athlone; La Sainte Union Sisters (Bower); The Mercy Sisters, Athlone; The Mercy Sisters, Moate; Carmelite Order, Moate; Athlone Mixed National School (Church of Ireland); and Sisters of Mercy, Kilbeggan.

The full list of religious orderswas approved at a meeting of Westmeath County Council after it was referred to the council's Corporate Policy Group (CPG) following last month's meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District.