Community Diary : January and February 2023

Athlone Community Radio‘s Community Diary will highlight local events and Community resources taking place throughout Athlone.

. Infinity Friends, a new social group for autistic children was set up last September by Autism Parents Athlone and will be officially launched with a dinner dance later this month. Infinity Friends is a voluntary run social club for children aged between 3 & 17. The dinner dance is a celebration of the opening of the group and will be held at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Saturday, January 28^th at 6pm. More information is available on social media.

. Our Lady’s Bower & The Marist College is proud to present:Seize the Day; a musical extravaganza, from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd February at 8pm each evening. Contact the Dean Crowe Theatre for further information.

. SHINE: is a mental health Charity which operates nationally supporting both individuals who experience mental health difficulties and their families. Shine is hosting an 8 week peer-led recovery support programme entitled ‘Finding my Way’. The course will commence in Athlone Library on Tuesday 31st January from 2pm – 4pm, and will run weekly on Tuesdays. The course is free and open for anyone who experiences mental health difficulties and wants to learn some skills and increase their knowledge to better support themselves.  Please contact Jason at 086 -8525281 for  further information.

. Athlone Musical Society invites you to test your general knowledge at its annual table quiz which takes place on Thursday 9th February in The Bounty Bar Athlone, starting at 8pm. The society would love your support for this fun night

. St Kieran’s Community Centre Active Age Group meets each Wednesday morning from 10am to 12pm. New members are always welcome.

. Athlone Midlands Samaritans need additional volunteers. No experience or qualifications are necessary, and training is provided. If you are interested, please  e-mail: athlone.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org

. Monksland Active Retirement group meets each Thursday at 10.30am in Monksland Community Centre. New members are always welcome. Enquiries to Margaret at 086-8069726

Athlone Toastmasters is an educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Meetings are held on the 2^nd & 4^th Tuesday of each month @8.15pm in the Prince of Wales Hotel. Contact 086 – 0623519 for further information.  New members are always welcome.

The Samaritans are available on free call 116123, 24 hours a day to provide emotional support for anyone who wishes to speak to someone in confidence.

. St Mary’s Active Retirement Club has reopened for meetings on Monday afternoon’s at 3pm, in the Clonmacnoise Room at St Mary’s Presbytery Athlone. New members are welcome.

. Athlone Indoor Bowls Club meets every Tuesday & Friday nights in St Peter’s School Hall from 7pm. New members are welcome. For more information contact 086-2525593.

. Bingo will take place in St Kieran’s Community Centre each Tuesday night at 8pm. All Welcome

. MABS (the money advice and budgeting service) is a free, confidential and independent service provided by the state guiding people with problem debt for more than 25 years. Money advisers are available by phone, email and live chat across the whole MABS network. You can contact MABS by calling 0818 07 2000.

. St Vincent de Paul: to reach out to the local branch in confidence please phone 085-1094354.