Up to 15,000 visitors are to converge on Athlone over the next two weekends, as the national finals of the HSE Community Games take place in the town.
The festivities kick off later this evening, Friday, with an opening ceremony at Athlone Institute of Technology, which is hosting the games for the first time this year.
The influx of visitors to the town is set to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, including the many hotels and guesthouses which will house the young athletes and their supporters.
The superb sporting facilities at AIT will be witness to a jam-packed schedule of activities over the course of the weekend.
Between Friday and Sunday, the finalists will battle it out for all-Ireland titles in activities as diverse as volleyball, pitch & putt, judo, gymnastics, and skittles.
Meals will be provided at AIT, and evening entertainment will include nightly discos at the college.
