RONAN FAGAN
An activity laden schedule of events has been confirmed for the Croi na hÉireann Festival, the five day event which culminates with the hosting of a major St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
The parade will weave its way through the streets of Athlone from west to east commencing from Magazine Road with the Jadotville Tigers announced as Grand Marshalls for the occasion.
Prior to the hosting of the St Patrick’s Day parade, a packed schedule of events have been confirmed by the Croi na hÉireann Festival committee who are encouraging members of the local community to embrace the five day event and enable it to become an annual date in the Athlone social calendar.
Athlone Croi Na hEireann Festival - Schedule of Events
Wednesday, March 16
•Event: Market in Mall
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Venue: Athlone Town Centre Shopping Mall
•Event: Paddy Ramblers walking tours
Time: 10.30am
Start Location: Athlone Castle
•Event: Tai Shee
Time: 7pm
Venue: St. Mary’s Hall
•Festival Pub Music Wednesday Night 16th:
Castle Inn - Jock
Sean’s Bar - Alan O’Neill & Liam Flynn
The Snug - Michael Byrne
Thursday, March 17
•Event:Ballinahown Big Breakfast
Time:9am to 12.30pm
Venue:Ballinahown Village Hall
•Event: Market in Mall
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Venue: Athlone Town Centre Shopping Mall
•Event: Poetry in the Park by Caroline Coyle
Time: 2pm
Venue: Burgess Park
•Event: Trad & Dance under the Canopy with Neil Fitzgibbons Band dBize & Darina Ganly School of Dancing.
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Venue: The Canopy, Church Street.
•Music in The Snug - David Hughes
Time: 3pm
•Music in Sean’s Bar - The Fabulous Bonker Boys
Time: 4pm
•Event: Athlone Basketball Club Display
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Venue: Athlone Regional Sports Centre Park
•Event: Athlone Karate Club open display
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Venue: St. Mary’s Hall
•Event: Athlone Pipe Band
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Venue: St. Mary’s Hall
•Festival Pub Music, St Patrick’s Night
Castle Inn - Thunder Slap
Sean’s Bar - Shane & Keith
The Snug - Tongue & Groove
Friday, March 18
•Event: Lough Ree Angling Federation Trout Fishing Competituon
Time: 10am to 6pm
Venue: Lough Ree
•Event: Market in the Mall
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Venue: Athlone Town Centre Shopping Mall.
•Event: Greenway Kiddies Treasure Trail
Time: 12noon to 2.30pm
Venue: Whitegates to Garrycastle GAA Clubhouse.
•Event: Pioneer’s FC Under 10 Football Blitz
Time: 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Venue: Pitch to rear of St. Patrick’s Tce.
•Event: St Patrick’s Festival Bring a Buddy Basketball Event
Time: TBC
Venue: Athlone Regional Sports Centre Park
•Event: Athlone Karate Club Open Day
Time: TBC
Venue: St Mary’s Hall
•Event: Set Dance Ceili with Band Raise the Dust at Athlone GAA Clubhouse
Time: 8pm
Venue: Athlone GAA Club
•Festival Pub Music, Friday Night
Castle Inn - Bowtie
Sean’s Bar - Jim Byrne & Friends
Saturday, March 19
•Event: RNLI & Athlone River Safety Demonstration.
Time: 10am
Location: Rear of Sean’s Bar
•Event: Paddy’s Ramblers Walking Tour
Time: 10.30am
Location: Creggan Bog Roundabout
•Event: Market in the Mall
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Location: Athlone Town Shopping Centre Mall
•Event: American Football Game
Time: 2pm
Location: Athlone GAA Club
•Event: Open Darts Competition
Time: 4pm
Location: Dan’s Tavern
Festival Pub Music, Saturday Night
Castle Inn - Adrian Higgins
Sean’s Bar - The Henshaws
The Snug - High Reel
Sunday, March 20
•Event: Athlone Boat Club Open Morning and Display
Time: 9am to 10.30am
Venue: Athlone Boat Club
•Event: Funfair
Time: 11am
Venue: Burgess Park
•Event: Market in the Mall by Athlone Market Group
Time: 12pm to 6pm
Location: Athlone Town Shopping Centre Mall
•Event: Athlone Karate Club
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Venue: St Mary’s Hall
•Event: Major Parade
Time: 2pm
Location: West to East Athlone
•Event: Eva Coyle & Friends at the Canopy
Time: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Location: The Canopy, Church Street
Festival Pub Music, Sunday Night
Sean’s Bar - Alan O’Neill & Liam Flynn
The Snug - Dawna
