4,000 expected in Athlone for All-Ireland Marching Band finals

In yet another boost for tourism and business in the town, Athlone is set to host the All-Ireland Marching Show Band Finals for the first time next month, an event organisers predict will draw 4,000 competitors and supporters to the area. Fifteen bands from all over the country will participate in the prestigious competition on Sunday, September 13 in Dubarry Park including local group, the Athlone Ravens Marching Band, who could actually be vying for an All-Ireland title themselves after recently winning one of the rounds in the run-up to the finals. "It's testament to Athlone and the facilities out at the Bounty, which are out of this world," a delighted leader of Athlone Ravens Marching Band Colm Bolger told the Westmeath Independent. "When we hosted a round of the All-Ireland competition in July in Athlone judges said it was the best venue in 15 years." The band leader paid tribute to Buccaneers for the facilities they have established at the Bounty and for all their help thus far, especially in the use of the facility prior to the start of the rugby season in October. He said the stand, pitch, facilities and easy access mean the area is the ideal venue and will probably host the All-Ireland finals for the coming years taking over from previous hosts Arklow and Dublin. "It will pull in 4,000 people to Athlone. It is really the creme of the crop of the marching season," Colm Bolger enthused, "15 bands will compete, for instance, the Clondalkin band has 120 members and Clonmel over 100, that gives you an idea of the scale." But what can local people expect from the event? Well the Athlone resident described the competition as a huge spectacle and feast of music and showmanship for people to enjoy, not withstanding the business and tourism benefits of the massive event the town will enjoy. "Basically, if you think of a West End production and multiply that by 100 and factor in a field show, the colour guard, the brass, woodwind etc. It will be an absolutely fantastic spectacle," he said, adding that the event will be a particularly proud occasion for the Athlone Ravens Marching Band, only a year in existence to host the competition and possibly be in line to win a major title. The group recently welcomed the Canadian Red Royal Deers band to Athlone, who actually went on to scoop the World Band Championships recently. However, Mr Bolger pointed out that the scale of the event means they will need local help to organise the competition, and would love to hear from potential volunteers and sponsors that could assist them with the costs. But worryingly come September the band will be homeless, Colm commented, as he also put out a call for a premises to work and practice in during the winter months. "We have 29 members now and we have another 32 joining in September but we have no where to teach. We are looking for a hall, a space big enough to keep it going. It's over the winter months we learn the music so I need somewhere I can open six days a week," the band leader and Dublin native said. He concluded by thanking Mona Joyce from St Kierans Community Centre who kindly gave their facilities for training weekends recently for visiting bands, also paying tribute to the parents of the members of the Athlone Ravens Marching Band for all their assistance and cooperation to date.