The Croí na hÉireann Festival, which commenced with a formal launch in TUS on Wednesday morning, will culminate on Sunday afternoon with the St Patrick’s Day parade, marking the conclusion of this year’s five day celebratory occasion.
The five day festival will certainly energise community spirit and will aim to build upon the success of the 2022 occasion which was positively received within the local community.
A large attendance is expected to grace the streets of Athlone as the parade, to be fronted by Grand Marshal, local entrepreneur Tanya Cannon, progresses from west to east starting its journey on Magazine Road, but locals are expected to savour an array of events which have been organised by the diligent Croi na hÉireann Festival committee who have been earnestly preparing for this occasion.
Cultural and sporting themes are a prominent feature of the five day Croi na hÉireann Festival schedule, notable events including a Céilí Mór in Athlone GAA on Thursday, March 16, at 8pm, a 5km run at Athlone Regional Sports Centre on March 17, at 10am, a hive of water activities on the River Shannon from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, March 18, and to complement the St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 19, entertainment under the canopy at Church Street from 12pm.
Striving to be all inclusive in their approach to the St Patrick’s Day Parade, the Festival committee have decided that a section of the showpiece occasion from Flannery’s Pub/Dunnes Stores towards the roundabout at Golden Island Shopping Centre will be designated as a sensory sensitive section where all participants will be encouraged to march in silence in the hope that this will provide visual enjoyment for those who are uncomfortable with audio distraction.
For full details on this year’s Croí na hÉireann Festival information visit www.athlonecroinaheireann.ie and the Facebook page @patricksdayathlone.
