Athlone Christmas Market the big winner from event grants
There was festive cheer in the middle of summer for the Athlone Christmas Market group, when it was awarded the largest individual sum in the latest batch of festival and event grants from the Athlone Moate Municipal District.
The district gives out grants for festivals and events in two phases each year. In March, the first round of this year's grants saw €17,500 being allocated, while this month the second and final round for 2024 involved the distribution of €30,000 to 22 local events or festivities.
The Athlone Christmas Market group was given an allocation of €5,000 towards this year's market, which is due to be held in the John Count McCormack Civic Square from December 12-15.
The upcoming Féile na Sionnaine traditonal music festival, which will be held over three days on the August bank holiday weekend in Athlone, sought a grant of €10,000 from the local authority, but was awarded €3,500.
An upcoming American Football event called the 'Shamrock Bowl', which will take place in Athlone's Dubarry Park on Saturday, July 27, was awarded a grant of €2,500.
The event is being organised by American Football Ireland which said two games would be played on the day and a "festive atmosphere" would be created.
"American football supporters from across Ireland, players, coaches and those interested in American football are expected to attend," it said.
The Lough Ree Yacht Club's three-day 'Double Ree Sailing Event' last weekend (July 19-21) was awarded €750, while a further €750 was allocated to the club towards its annual regatta from August 3-9.
Another boating event, the annual Shannon Boat Rally which is jointly organised by Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon branches of Inland Waterways Ireland, received €1,250.
Next month's Moate Agricultural Show, which will be held on Sunday, August 25, applied for a €5,000 grant but was approved for a €2,000 allocation from the district.
Also in Moate, an outdoor cinema event in Dún na Sí Amenity Park, which was successfully organised by the Moate Town Team last year, is due to return in late August or early September, and it was awarded €500.
The 'Halloween Spooktacular' and 'Christmas Experience' events at Dún na Sí, meanwhile, were each awarded grants of €1,000.
Also awarded €1,000 was Athlone's Connaught Street and Environs Community Group. This money is due to be used for the preparation of festivities and events during Heritage Week, which is from August 17-25.
Other events awarded funding were: Ballinahown Entente Florale market (€500); Ballymore Tidy Towns pitch & putt tournament and BBQ (€500); Ballynacarrigy County Fleadh (€3,000); Traveller Pride event at Blackberry Lane, Athlone (€500); Kilbeggan Town & Community Festival (€750).
October Comhaltas event in Loughnavalley (€500); Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association, Westmeath and Offaly branch show in Moate (€500); Streamstown Village Festival (€500); The Yoga Picnic at Lilliput House (€500) and the Hill of Uisneach Fire Celebration (€2,000).
The grants were formally approved at the July meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District. Ten applications for funding were turned down by the local authority because the planned events did not meet its funding criteria for these grants.