'Discover Athlone'

'Discover Athlone', an event designed to showcase the best the town has to offer, returns next month for the second year in a row. Last year"s inaugural event was deemed so successful that many of the same groups are coming together again to promote the town on Sunday June 14. Discover Athlone promotes the tourism services available in the locality and aims to get Athlonians to become ambassadors for the town and its attractions in the future. It is also hoped that this buzz will help to bring in more tourism revenue to the town. 'Last year"s event was so successful that it has been decided to hold the event again this year in June. In addition to those who took part last year we expect that some more tourist service providers will come on board to make the day even more successful,' said Tony McDermott, Chairman of the Organising Committee. The concept came about last year when Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland jointly commissioned research and discovered that people who lived locally didn"t necessarily know what tourist attractions were available. Discover Athlone was a pilot project for Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland and because of its resounding success it will now be rolled out in other parts of the country. The free events include entry to Athlone Castle, boat trips on the Shannon, theatre performances, street theatre, pony and trap rides, angling displays, craft trails, walking tours and much more. 'It provides a great opportunity for local people to create greater awareness of what there is to see and do in their community and allows them to act as ambassadors for their region with both domestic and overseas visitors,' said Kevin Kidney from Fáilte Ireland East and Midlands. 'The partnership between Waterways Ireland, Failte Ireland and Athlone Town the Council businesses and local people will deliver a stronger sense of place, and confidence and, it is hoped, will drive more tourism revenue to Athlone,' said Martin Dennany, Waterways Ireland Marketing and Communications Director. The event is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Athlone Town Council.