New obelisk sculpture unveiled by local group in Burgess Park

A new obelisk sculpture has been catching the eye of walkers in Burgess Park over the last week, all thanks to the work of participants on the Stepping Out programme attached to the National Learning Network.

Standing almost two metres tall, with a viewing hole to look over to Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, the sculpture is sure to become another camera friendly location to capture a unique riverside view of Athlone, but it also has a more poignant function – it is dedicated to those who have lost family members and friends to the River Shannon.

It also remembers those loved ones left behind and has a touching reflection and emergency contact numbers attached.

Participants are “thrilled” with the positive feedback since the obelisk was installed in the park in recent days, according to the Stepping Out programme, a Probation Service funded training initiative for people who may have found themselves in trouble with the judicial system. It offers a full QQI Level 4 award, which is equivalent to the Leaving Certificate. There is also a focus on subjects such as offending behaviour, anger management and addiction studies.

Every year, Athlone Drug Awareness Group provides funding to Stepping Out for a community-based project which ties in with a tutor provided by Longford Westmeath Education Training Board (LWETB). Initial brainstorming sessions leaned towards a Celtic monument in the sensory garden in Clonbrusk, but it later evolved into an obelisk, dedicated to all who have tragically lost family members and friends to the river.

Athlone-Moate Municipal District backed the idea last year and suggested its current location in Burgess Park along the bank of the river.

Student John Earle, who wrote the reflection on the obelisk, remarked: " I would like to think that this project has touched the hearts of many in this town, who have lost loved ones throughout the years".

Welcoming the obelisk sculpture, Cllr Frankie Keena, who is Chairperson of Athlone Drug Awareness Group, complimented Jim McNamee and Neil Flannery and all the participants in the Stepping Out programme for this excellent creation, and more importantly, on the message it delivers.

“The skillset of this group of people is neverending as this is their third major creation, previous ones include the large chess board table which is in Athlone Library and the seven signatory plaques at the 1916 Centenary Garden in Burgess Park,” he said in tribute.

“The obelisk is a poignant reminder of all the people that the River Shannon has tragically taken over the years. It is also a mindful structure of the deep sadness of their loved ones who are left behind. A beautiful reflection on same is attached to the obelisk plus emergency contact numbers,” he added, saying the group were delighted to provide some funding for the initiative along with other agencies. The plaques were very kindly donated and inscribed by Brendan McEnroe from McEnroe Memorials in Coosan.

Cllr Keena thanked the council for the support given to the project, and to staff for erecting the sculpture.

“This was a delicate operation due to its weight and also it was important to line up the viewing hole through the obelisk with Ss Peter and Paul Church,” he explained.

Generally, an obelisk is an upright four-sided usually monolithic pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and terminates in a pyramid. They were originally built by the Egyptians at the entrance to their temples.

Antoinette Kinsella, Coordinator of the Midland Regional Drug & Alcohol Taskforce (MRDATF) said the taskforce is delighted to have supported this fantastic initiative.

“Huge congratulations to all the participants for their creativity and to the staff of the National Learning Network who supported the development and coordination of the project,’’ she said.

It's hoped to have an official unveiling of the obelisk in the coming weeks if restrictions allow.