Heritage Week has concluded with Westmeath once again out performing other counties in terms of the variety and quality of activities.
One such event was the launch of a booklet entitled ‘Eighteenth Century newspaper reports from Athlone’ by historian, Steve Dolan.
“The eighteenth century saw an explosion in print media which opened up society in a way only matched since by the internet.
“In addition to items in other newspapers, Athlone got its first newspaper, the Athlone Herald, in 1785, followed by the Athlone Sentinel in 1798.
“For the Heritage Week booklet, one article each year was chosen to represent the main stories from Athlone across the century, with all proceeds being in aid of Saint Mary’s Hall. I can only praise the work being done by the likes of Patrick Beaumont and his colleagues,” Mr Dolan remarked.
Booklets are now available from the team at St Mary’s Hall and are only €5, or they can be ordered by emailing [email protected].
Copies of Steve’s other booklet, ‘The Workhouses of Westmeath’, in aid of the Hall/Gateway Youth Project are also available.
