Festival frenzy set to benefit Athlone in 2010

Athlone is set to cash in on a tourism bonanza in 2010 with at least seven major events and festivals expected to bring thousands of visitors ito the town over the twelve-month period, it emerged recently. In a massive economic boost, the town will host the European Peoples Festival for the first time since 1996 from July 24-31 next year, an event estimated to bring over 900 participants from 15 countries to the area, along with thousands of other visitors from Ireland and further afield for the exciting week-long spectacle. Other new additions to the event calendar this year are two major water-based events, an International Pike Angling Competition in April and International Pike Challenge in October at Athlone Angling Centre of Excellence on Lough Ree. Both competitions are being widely marketed throughout Europe and, just last night (Tuesday) Athlone Town Council hosted a Civic Reception and launch of the event for up to 30 angling journalists from Belgium, Germany and France. Towards the latter end of 2010, a number of events are also planned to mark the 800th anniversary of Athlone Castle once renovation and upgrade work is complete. No dates have been finalised as of yet. Add to all of this, the 2010 triAthlone, incorporating the European Triathlon Championships beginning on July 4, the already-established three weekends of National Finals of the Community Games in AIT and the All-Ireland Drama Festival in May, and it promises to be a bumper year for Athlone's tourism related businesses and the public alike, who can look forward to a year of spectacular events in the area. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Athlone Town Clerk, John Walsh, agreed 2010 would be a busy year, full of exciting events, which would be a boost to business and public spirits in gloomy times. "There will lots of music, song, dance and street entertainment. It will be a big week," Mr Walsh said of the European People's Festival. "It and all the events will bring a lot of business and visitors to Athlone. It will attract people in from beyond the immediate catchment area of Athlone." A full programme of events for the European People's Festival will be formally launched by the organising committee next month. He continued: "The first castle was built in Athlone in 1210 so we hope to have the castle finished towards the end of next year to mark that. A lot of work has to be done but a design team is working on it and it should start in early next Summer." CEO of Athlone Chamber Siobhan Bigley said the high-profile events taking place in Athlone next year cemented the area's reputation as a premier location for staging large scale festivals and, were, due in part to the hard work put in by hotels, the chamber, tourism providers and the council working together. "From May right through to September we will have events happening in Athlone," she enthused. "It will mean a lot in terms of business for Athlone. We already know what the Triathlone and the Community Games bring in terms of a significant contribution to the economy and now we have the new ones as well." She also praised the role of the local authority by investing in infrastructure and improvements around the town, all of which strengthen Athlone's hand in the tourism stakes in the years ahead. "The council is investing in Athlone Castle and the art gallery, both of which will help us grow tourism in the long run. They will be great resources," she concluded. Further details of Athlone's festival year, 2010, will be available on our website, www.westmeathindependent.ie