VIDEO: A look at Athlone Little Theatre 35 years ago

With Athlone Little Theatre now almost 85 years old, RTÉ Archives today took a look back at the popular local venue in the mid-1980s.

The national broadcaster unearthed a four-minute TV package about preparations for a production of ‘The New Gossoon’ by George Shields, which was being staged to mark the 50th anniversary of the local venue.

Little Theatre founder Aileen Coughlan, then aged 79, is featured prominently in the clip alongside other well-known local faces.

The report includes footage of a civic reception given by Athlone Urban District Council to mark the Little Theatre's Golden Jubilee.

The report by Colm Connolly was broadcast by RTÉ News on 15 October 1985.

You can watch the video at the following link:

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2020/1005/1169526-athlone-little-theatre/