Community Diary : October 2023

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

. St Kieran’s Community centre will host a Coffee morning on Friday 20th October from 10.30 am to 1pm. All are welcome for a fun morning which will also include a raffle. Any donations are greatly appreciated.

. Athlone Little Theatre is delighted to present ‘Four Minutes Twelve Seconds’ by James Fritz, directed by Joe McCarrick. The show takes place at the Theatre in St Mary’s Place from Wednesday 18th October to Wednesday 25th October at 8pm. There will be one matinee on Sunday October 22nd at 3pm. The play contains adult themes and is not suitable for anyone under 12 years of age. For bookings to www.athlonelittletheatre.ie.

. The Old Athlone Society will host its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 25th October at 6pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. All welcome

. The Rotary Club of Athlone is organizing a Gala Concert in aid of St Hilda’s Services on Thursday, 9th November in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone at 7.30pm. The concert will be given by the combined Bands of the Defence Forces, conducted by Captain John Carpenter and with special guest tenor Gavin Reilly, in an evening of military favorites and popular arias. Tickets for what promises to be a very special evening are available from eventmaster.ie or at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

. Parliamentary Politics Matters for Peace is the theme of the 2nd annual Oireachtas Essay Competition, launched by the Ceann Comhairle, Sean O Fearghail TD, on Tuesday 17th October in Leinster House. A prize fund of €6,000 is on offer this year. Students of 5th and 6th year are eligible to enter, by first registering on the competition website, oireachtasessay.ie by Friday November 10th. On registration each student will be given a numerical code with which they must upload their essay to the website by Friday November 24th.

. 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.

. The Marist College 2024 open evening will take place on Wednesday 25th October from 6pm – 8pm. 5th and 6th class boys are welcome, along with their parents to a guided tour and presentation. Enquiries to principal@maristathlone.net.

. A 5km walk/run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation takes place in the fitness park of Athlone Regional Sports Centre on Sunday, October 22nd at 2pm. Your support is appreciated.

. The Mobile Library will stop in the Supervalu carpark in Monksland on Thursday, October 19th from 1pm to 3.30pm. There is a great selection of books, CDs, DVDs, e-books and Audiobooks for all ages and the library membership is free.

. 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

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.

. 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.

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