National Community Games Finals to leave Athlone

The board of the Community Games has announced that it its annual finals are to move from Athlone.

The finals of the Games have been held in Athlone Institute of Technology since 2009, bringing thousands of visitors to the locality each summer.

However, in a statement issued today, the Board of Community Games said it met on Friday last to consider 'the location of the National Festival for August 2017 following recent correspondence from our current hosts Athlone Institute of Technology.'

It said that: 'In light of this correspondence and a perceived change in relationship from a partnership to a strictly commercial arrangement the Board, after lengthy consideration, unanimously decided to relocate the 2017 National Festival.'

The Board added that details of the new venue would be announced in the near future.

Commenting on the decision, Community President Gerard Davenport said: 'The decision was taken after a detailed assessment by the Board of the current arrangements and a need for certainty as to the location and viability of future Festivals.

'I would like to thank AIT and the people of Athlone for their help over the past six years.

'The Community Games looks forward to an exciting future for our National Festival, albeit at a new venue.'