Community Diary : April 2023

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

. Athlone Choral Society will host a table quiz in the Bounty Bar Athlone, on Thursday April 27th. There will also be a raffle and finger food will be served. Your support is appreciated.

. Athlone Little Theatre presents the theatrical masterpiece ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ by Edward Albee, and directed by Ollie Hegarty, from April 20th – April 27th next. Tickets available @athlonelittletheatre.ie.

. The ‘In my Shoes Charity’, which donates pre-loved shoes to children in African townships, is running a campaign from the 17th – 28th April. Please donate any children’s shoes to your local National School. A list of participating schools can be found on their website www.inmyshoescharity.org.

. Athlone GAA will host a drug awareness information discussion for teenagers, young adults and parents presented by Garda John McWalter in the Pairc Chiarain Clubhouse on Tuesday, April 25th at 8.15pm.

. The 2023 William English Memorial Lecture will be given by Dr Siobhra Aiken of Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday, April 26th in Lough Ree Yacht Club at 8.15pm. The topic is the life and times of Anthony O’Connor, whose novel ‘He’s Somewhere in There’ provides a fictionalized version of his activities during the Irish Civil War. O’Conner, who lived in Athlone and who was stationed in Custume Barracks, provides a remarkable account of that period in and around Athlone. For more information, check out athlonehistory.ie.

. The RTE All Ireland Drama Festival takes place from 27th April to 5th May this year. For further information please visit deancrowetheatre.com.

. Buccaneers RFC will host a premium auction on Sunday afternoon, April 30th, commencing at 3.30pm. Many interesting items have been confirmed including weekends away, race day tickets plus much, much more. Further information available on their website

. Are you, or is someone you know, living with a long term health condition? If so, then you may be interested in the ‘Living Well Programme’. Living Well is a free on line, 6 week group self management programme for adults living with long term health conditions, such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart conditions, stroke and others. There are spaces available on the May 2023 programme. Visit www.hse.ie/livingwell.

The Athlone Agricultural Show Committee is hosting a fund raising quiz on Thursday, May 4th at 8pm in The Bounty Bar Athlone. There will be numerous spot prizes and a great family night out can be had while supporting the holding of the agricultural show this year. The show will take place on Sunday, June 18th at Michael O’Donohue’s farm in Cornamaddy, the same venue as last year’s show.

. The ‘Athlone 10 mile Run committee’ is delighted to announce the return of the popular event on Saturday, June 17th. Starting at 11am in Clonown Village it follows much the same course as the Athlone Flat line marathon. Registration is on line @ www.active.com.

. Athlone Flower and Garden Club will host a demonstration by Ann Murphy, the theme being Spring/Summer. The event takes place on Tuesday 2nd May in the Bounty Bar Athlone at 8pm. New members welcome.

. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for Coosan Church, the parish hopes to have on display in the church a collection of photographs, cuttings from newspapers and items of interest reflecting on the last 50 years of Coosan church. The public are invited to bring items of interest to the parish office.

. 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 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at 8.15pm in the Creggan Court 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 call 085-1094354.

. St Peter & Paul’s Parish is appealing for volunteers to help out in various ministries. Full training and support provided. Volunteers needed as Eucharistic Ministers, readers, collectors, altar society and altar servers.