Community Diary : November 2023

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

. The Athlone Branch of Irish Guide Dogs has Christmas cards and calendars for sale this coming Friday & Saturday, November 24th & 25th at Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone. Please support this worthy cause.

. Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew is looking forward to welcoming the public to its pop-up shop at the lifeboat station at Coosan Point on Saturday November 25th. The shop will carry the full range of RNLI Christmas Cards, along with many new products and a wide range of stocking fillers, and will open from 12.30pm to 3pm. Also, next month December 16th the crew will host a Special Open Day at the lifeboat station with a ‘family festive’ theme. Activities planned include face painting, a kids DJ and a visit from Santa in the afternoon. Your support is appreciated.

. A coffee morning will be held in aid of Friends of St Luke’s Cancer Care, at the Heritage Centre in Glasson from 12pm – 2pm on November 26th. All are welcome.

. Ballinahown Sportspark AGM will take place in Ballinahown NS on Monday, December 4th at 8pm, locals are welcome to come along and have an input into the operation and development of the facility. Community walking evenings continue each Monday & Wednesday evenings from 8.15pm – 9pm in the Sports Park. Walk on your own or as part of a group in a safe, secure and fully lit walking track. No membership or fees are required.

. The Samaritan Gala Christmas Concert takes place on Wednesday, December 6th in the Franciscan Friary Athlone at 8pm, featuring the Army Band of the 2nd Brigade, conducted by Capt John Carpenter and featuring Mezzo Soprano Gemma Ni Bhriain, Athlone Acappella and the Athlone Pipe band. The Samaritans are available on free call 116123, 24 hours per day to provide emotional support for anyone who wishes to speak to someone in confidence.

. A GROW Mental Health Peer-Support Meeting takes place each Friday from 11am – 1pm, in Monksland Community Centre. Meetings are free and no referral is needed. For further information contact John at 086 4411358.

. Athlone Little Theatre will host three one-act comedies from November 29th – December 6th at 8pm each evening. Sunday matinee only on December 3rd at 3pm. Further information @athlonelittletheatre.ie.

. Roscommon Drug & Alcohol services have set up a SMART Recovery meeting; it takes place at Vita House Outreach Centre in Monksland on Wednesdays at 1pm. Smart Recovery is a leading evidence based addiction recovery programme focusing on managing behaviors. The service is completely free and the addiction may be to anything. The focus will not be on the addiction but on your behaviors towards it.

. MABS the money advice and budgeting service is a free and confidential service for people who are experiencing money management and debt. MABS money advisers are on hand to provide advice and practical help regarding debt and working out solutions to money problems. Please phone 076-107 2400 in confidence.

. Kiltoom knitting Club continues on Mondays  at 11am in the parish hall. All are welcome.

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

. Athlone Toastmasters is an educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 8.15pm in the Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone. Contact: 086-062 3519 for further information.

. 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.

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

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