The Diary - Your What’s on Guide

There's lots happening locally this week so get the diary out and start planning! Here's a quick look at what's going on:


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Coffee Morning
Hospice Coffee Morning taking place in D’s Coffee shop, Ballymahon this Thursday, September 19 from 9.30am to 12 noon. Please support.

Foroige Athlone
Foroige is holding a registration night on Thursday, September 19, from 5.30-6.30pm in St. Mary’s Hall in North Gate Street.

Knitting/Nattering/Crochet
The crochet group is back up and running every Thursday morning. Pop into The Bounty for a cup of tea and a natter from 10.30am and 12 noon. Very informal get together for all abilities. It’s free too. Contact: Gael at 086 8257484 or Joan at 086 8373791.

Social Dancing Classes
Every Thursday night at Hayden’s Hotel, Ballinasloe. Sets of country and Irish music at all classes. Classes start at 8pm, new dancers always welcome.

Monksland Active Age
Enjoy a morning of relaxation in Monksland Community Centre every Thursday morning at 10.30am. Meet friends, have a chat, craic, dancing, music and storytelling. Organised day trips during the year. The group would love new members and new ideas. Morning ends at approximately 12.30 with tea and homemade scones. See you there!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

The Priests in concert
Gala concert with the The Priests in Ss Peter & Paul’s Church, Athlone on Friday, September 20, next. Tickets €25. Guest artist on the night is Athlone soprano Breda O’Connor. Tickets €25 are now available at the Parish Office 090 6492171 or 086 0525661 or from the sacristy 090 6494150 or any member of the committee. Proceeds in aid of the church restoration fund.

Culture Night
Culture Night takes place in venues across Westmeath on Friday, September 20, with a number of events planned in Moate and Athlone:

Moate Events:

Art Trail
Time: 9am to 10pm
Enjoy a rich display of local creative talent incorporating painting, textile, drawing, crafts and sculpture created by solo artists and collaborative groups
Location: Carmelite Centre, Moate Library, Galvin’s Giftshop, Tuar Árd Arts Centre, Doe’s Pizza, Dun Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park.

Junk Couture & Visual Art Exhibition
Time: 10am – 7pm
Display by students of Moate Community School and artist Dominique Foley & Lorna Farrell
Location: Bob Traynor Gallery, Tuar Árd Arts Centre

Photography Exhibition
Time: 10.30am – 1pm & 2.30 – 5pm
An exhibition of 'Heritage Street Furniture’
Location: Moate Library

Open Day at Dun Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
Time: 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Dun na Si Amenity & Heritage Park, Knockdomney, is celebrating its public opening from 4.30-6.30pm. There will be guided tours, attractions and light refreshments. All are welcome.  
Location: Dun Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park

Moate Museum Opens to the Public
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Children to be accompanied by an adult
Location: Moate Museum, Main Street

Children Performing Arts Expression School of Speech, Drama & Musical Theatre
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Children present selected pieces. Director: Caroline Hanamy
Location: Tuar Árd Arts Centre

Local Archive & Footage Screening
Time: 10pm – 10.30pm
Tom Curtin archives and An Móta All Whites GC, Scór Moments
Location: Don’s Bar, Main Street

Traditional Irish Night
Time: 9pm - 11.30pm
Traditional Music, Storytelling & Dance including performers 'Celtic Blondes’
Location: P. Egan’s Bar, Main Street

Folk & Traditional Music Seisiún
Time: 9.30pm – 11.30pm
Performances by the Newgrange Traditional/ Folk Band, featuring Carroll Ripley Behan & Eamon Behan
Location: Mary Coffey’s

Athlone Events:

'Paintings at the Library’
Time: 10am – 5pm
Athlone Arts Group present a must-see exhibition which runs until September 28
Location: Aidan Heavey Public Library

'RDS Student Art Awards Exhibition’
Time: 11am – 10pm
Location: Luan Gallery

Viking Tours River Sailing
Time: 4pm - 5.30pm
Viking Tours River Sailing with historical and environmental talk with Michael McDonnell. Complimentary tea/coffee on board.
Location: River Shannon. Departs from rear of Athlone Castle

Athlone Women’s Forum – The African Connection.
Time: 4pm - 5pm
The evening includes traditional costume, dances and African along with a fashion show.
Location: First Floor, Shopping Centre Athlone

Late opening at Castle
Time: 5.30pm – 10pm
Newly renovated Athlone Castle will stay open late on Culture Night. Special discounted rate will be in place.
Location: Athlone Castle

Art Exhibition
Time: 6pm - 8pm
An open studio and art exhibition featuring the works of 'Abbey Road Artists Studio’ artists
Location: Abbey Road Artists Studios

Workshop
Time: 6pm - 7.30pm
Workshop on Writing and Storytelling with a Twist
Location: The Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street

Little Museum
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Opening the Little Museum to the public in the evening with background live Irish folk music
Location: Little Museum of Memories, 1 Lloyds Lane

Making Space Art Exhibition
Time: 7pm - 10pm
Members of the Collective’s work will be displayed
Location: Making Space, 15 Custume Place

The Shambles Art Studio Artists Exhibition
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Artists include Margo McNulty, Ann McGuinness, Catherine Rock, Lawrence O’Neill, Robbie Ryan and Lesley Wingfield
Location: The Bastion Gallery, 6 Bastion Street

Culture Night Radio
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Tune into hear stories about Athlone’s most famous artistic people and buildings. Presented by Jason Gill
Location: Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm

Little Theatre
Time: 8.30pm - 10pm
The Little Theatre presents 'Spreading The News’ by Lady Gregory
Location: Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary’s Place

Tonnta’s Fire Breathing Show
Time: 8.30pm - 9pm
Revolution Marching Band will also perform.
Location: The Civic Square


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Comedy Performance
Comedian Paul Malone is playing in The Dog and Duck Pub this Saturday, September 21, at 9.30pm. A great night guaranteed with plenty of comedy, music and craic.

John Sherlock Memorial Match

The John Sherlock Memorial Match takes place this Saturday at the Monksland pitches at 6pm, with Carroll's Allstars Legends taking on Skyvalley Rovers Legends in what is sure to be a keenly contested match. There will be music following the match in The Mill, Bealnamulla. All proceeds go to the autism unit at St Joseph's primary school in Summerhill.


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Craic on the Track
This fundraiser organised by Garrycastle GAA club will take place at the Athlone Equestrian Centre in Moydrum. It will consist of a 5k challenge through bog, farm and forest. Registration at 9.30am, running starts at 10am. The cost is €20 on the day but the first 200 tickets can be had at €15 each and are available at Dan’s Tavern, The Bounty, Java Joe’s, Coosan Cottage, The Tack Room, Garrycastle Spar or from any Committee member. All money raised will go to Garrycastle youth pitch development and the Carol Galvin Lyme disease treatment fund.

Cycle for Fun
A new Cycle for Fun group has begun in association with Roscommon Sports Partnership. Training every Sunday morning at 10am sharp from Clann na nGael club house, Johnstown. All ages and levels catered for.

COMING SOON

Social Dancing
A new social dancing class starts in Tubber primary school starts on Monday, September 23 next at 8pm. The class will run as follows: 8pm to 9pm for beginners,  9pm to 10pm for improvers and 10pm to 11pm and for those dancing for a little fun and practice. The cost of the class is €10.  For further enquiries, phone Padraig  087 1812248.

Hike for Hospice
Hike for Hospice takes place on Saturday, September 28 next. Bus leaves Athlone at 9am for Marlay Park in Rathfarnham. The 10k (3.5 hour) guided walk in the Marlay Park estate, ascending into the foothills of the Dublin mountains before descending to Ireland’s highest pub, Johnny Foxes, Glencullen. Bus will pick up from Johnny Foxes back to Athlone. Cost €25. All proceeds to go to South Westmeath Hospice

St Mary’s Parish Mission
A seven-day parish mission will take place from September 22-28.
The Redemptorist Mission team will preach at all Masses in St Mary’s Church and Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church on the weekend of September 21 and 22.
The Mission proper will begin on Sunday evening, September 22, at 7pm. in Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church.

Networking Event
Ballymahon Traders are hosting a networking event on Friday, October 4 in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon. All local businesses are invited to come and use the evening as opportunity to meet and network with other local businesses. A few informal speakers will be lined up for the event.  The group strives to support local business so come along and make sure everyone knows what you have on offer. For more information contact Paddy Diffley or check Ballymahon Traders on Facebook.