Athlone group to head to Providence for St Patrick's Day
Arrangements are underway for representatives from Athlone to attend the St Patrick's Day Parade in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, March 8.
Musicians from Athlone Comhaltas and Féile na Sionnaine and representatives of the Athlone Municipal District Festival and Events Committee, the Féile na Sionnaine committee, Athlone River Festival and the Military Police Association of Ireland along with Mayor of Athlone/Moate Municipal District Cllr Frankie Keena and a senior Westmeath County Council official, will make up the Athlone group.
Chairman of Croí na hÉireann, the Athlone St Patrick's Day festival committee John Henson explained that the origins of what has become an annual trip lay when a group from the 54th Military Police Reserve received an invitation to march in the Providence parade in 2012 and with the exception of the Covid restriction period it became a tradition that has been carried on to this day.
Members of the Reserve Defence Forces, the Organisation of National Ex-Servicmen and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, various Mayors and senior council officials, have all attended down the years and this year will be a special trip as Athlone and Providence move closer to a potential formal twinning arrangement.
Chairman of the Feile na Sionnaine Committee and member of the Comhaltas committee, Jim Mulkerrins said that while it is his first visit in this capacity he is aware of the many friendships that have been developed over the years and he hopes that visits such as this will further cement the ties developed to date.
He was also keen to point out that all committee members will pay their own costs and will travel to the Céili Club in Boston, two high schools in Providence, meet with Mayor Brett Smiley and visit the State House in session.
Mayor Frankie Keena, who has visited Providence previously in his capacity as Mayor, said he welcomed the opportunity to visit with the group and was keen to advance the twinning project as he, John Henson and Pat Murtagh of Westmeath County Council, will hold meetings with the Providence Twinning Committee, Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders during the visit of the Athlone contingent.