Free Christmas parking in Athlone confirmed for council car parks

The free Christmas parking initiative for Athlone will return this year, it has been confirmed by the Westmeath County Council.

The initiative will run this year from December 17 to 24, with free parking available all day in all council car parks in the town.

The locations are The Fair Green, St Mary's Square, Connaught Street, Athlone Castle, and O'Connell Street. Strand Street car park is currently closed to facilitate works on the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme.

The members of the Athlone Moate Municipal District approved the initiative at their November monthly meeting.

Free parking days have been offered in council car parks in Athlone in the lead up to Christmas every year for more than a decade, in a bid to boost pre-Christmas trade in the town.

Motorists are advised that they will still be required to pay for parking at all privately-owned car parks in Athlone, and also along 'on-street' pay zones.