Marist Brothers monument goes back on display in Athlone

More than five months after it was put into storage due to ongoing streetscape work, the Marist Brothers monument in Athlone's St Mary's Square has gone back on public display.

Westmeath County Council officials stated in recent months that the monument would be in place again before Christmas, and the work to reinstate it was completed earlier today (Wednesday).

The monument had been removed in July to prevent possible damage during the €4m streetscape redevelopment, which is taking Mardyke Street, Pump Lane, part of St Mary's Square, and a section of Sean Costello Street which is to be pedestrianised.

Contractor John Cradock Ltd has been working on the streetscape project for most of this year, and it's expected to be completed in April or May of 2024.

The Marist monument was put in place at St Mary's Square in 2012. The work of Australian-born sculptor Mark Rode, it was positioned on a granite base from McEnroe's stoneworks in Coosan.

The monument depicts a Marist brother alongside two boys, one of whom is carrying a football while the other is carrying school books.