In this week's Westmeath Independent
This week's 48-page edition of the Westmeath Independent is now on the shelves. It includes a FREE 8-page photo supplement filled with photos from the First Holy Communions and Confirmations at: Cornamaddy NS, Athlone Mixed NS, St Hilda's, Coosan NS, Scoil na gCeithre Maistri, St Peter's NS, Dean Kelly NS, Tubberclair NS, St Mary's NS, Clonbonny NS, Cornafulla NS, Ardkeenan NS, An Grianan NS Mount Temple, St Oliver Plunkett NS Moate, St Brigid's NS Moate, Castledaly NS and Baylin NS.
Featured stories include:
* South Westmeath has been chosen among the county's best areas for wind farms, in a move that could bring major windfarm projects to the region.
* New gates installed by the council on Athlone's riverwalk have prompted a row, with calls for their immediate removal.
* Reporter Deirdre Verney reviews the show all of Athlone has been talking about - 'Calendar Girls' at the Dean Crowe Theatre.
* One Direction fever hit Athlone last week as queues for tickets to the boys' Croke Park concert started to form 25 hours before they went on sale!
* We have reports from last week's sitting of Athlone District Court.
* Local music promoter Aaron Casey is profiled in our Independent People series, while our deputy editor Karen Downey tries out traditional crafts at Clonmanoise Pottery.
* In sport, we interview local rugby star Robbie Henshaw about his dream of playing for Ireland, and we speak to Moate's Joe Ward about bidding to retain his title at the European amateur boxing championships which get underway this weekend.
* And, of course, we have full coverage of the Westmeath footballers' biggest day of the year so far as they prepare to take on the Dubs in Croke Park on Saturday. Can Pat Flanagan's men spring a surprise? Check out our full preview coverage and analysis...
All this and much more in this week’s paper, which is available in local outlets and can also be accessed in the ePaper format (for more on this option, see: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/epaper#undefined)