Memorial obelisk honouring lives lost to Shannon unveiled

David Flynn

A memorial structure, which commemorates those who lost their lives in the River Shannon was unveiled last week, close to the river at Burgess Park. The participants of the Stepping Out programme who are based at the nearby Belhavel training centre in Golden Island constructed the obelisk, which features four different plaques that includes details of helplines and emergency contact numbers.

The concrete pillar was unveiled on a blustery Thursday morning, September 30, by Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr. Frankie Keena, who also is Chairman of Athlone Drugs Awareness, which helped out in the project. Shelagh Nangle, manager of the National Learning Network in Athlone acted as MC on the day and said that the sculpture will touch the hearts of the people of Athlone, particularly those who have lost loved ones to the River Shannon.

Jim McNamee, Co-ordinator of Stepping Out, speaking on behalf of himself and his co-worker, Neil Flannery, explained about the programme being a partnership between National Learning and the Probation Service.

The aim of the Stepping Out programme is to increase opportunities for employment, increase access to further education and provide social and life skills development for offenders who have been before the courts and placed under the supervision of the Probation Service as well as those at risk of committing offences and those who have been released from custody.

Mr. McNamee said that each year, Stepping Out, which is in Athlone since 2000, selects a skills programme, and last year they decided they wanted to make the permanent memorial to those who lost their lives to the river. He said that they were influenced by a tragedy of a person they knew who died in the Shannon.

“We wouldn’t have been able to afford to do this without the help of the Drugs Awareness Group who donated money,” said the co-ordinator.

He explained about the four plaques on the obelisk; highlighting a poem written by John Earle, a picture of trees that Neil Flannery designed with trainees and the emergency contact numbers of the Samaritans, Childline, Pieta House, the Coastguard, and the 999 Emergency number.

“The group came up with all those names,” said Mr. McNamee.

He further talked about JJ, one of the participants who died of illness, and paid tribute to Brendan McEnroe of Memorial Athlone Headstones, who he said heard about the project and gave his time and materials free.

Mr. McNamee praised the co-operation of the Athlone-Moate municipal district and district engineer Pat Nally.

“Here is a fantastic site and it’s important to family and friends and also I hope it may help someone,” he said.

Carmel Donnelly, Regional Manager for Probation Services, said that the monument is a lasting memory and ensures that people who lost their lives will never be forgotten.

“The Obelisk is a concrete example of the participants giving something back to the local community,” said Ms Donnelly.

She also talked about in the past, Stepping Out trainees making a Chess Board for Athlone library and a timber facial imprint of the seven signatories of the Easter Rising on trees in the memorial garden, which is also in Burgess Park.

Nuala O’Brien, Community Education Facilitator of the Longford/Westmeath Education Training Board said that there is always a “wow” factor with projects done by the Stepping Out participants.

“They have created something meaningful, special and right in the heart of Athlone with this long-lasting memorial,” said Ms O’Brien.

Cllr. Frankie Keena welcomed the local politicians who turned out on the day including Ministers Robert Troy and Peter Burke, and also members of the Garda Siochana, Supt David Nolan and Sgt. Andrew Haran and also many groups including the Samaritans who were represented by Deirdre Collins.

“I had the pleasure of visiting down in the workshop and saw the energy and commitment from Neil, Jim and all the participants; they have marvellous skills,” said Cllr. Keena.

The Cathaorleach talked of the River Shannon bringing great joy to people and also great sadness. He also praised his own co-workers in Athlone Drugs Awareness for their involvement in the project and also the Probation Services.

“Well done on the poem to John, and also it’s good to see the emergency numbers there and I’d like to commend all people who do work around the River Shannon like the Sub-Aqua and RNLI,” he said. “I’d like to give a mention to Pat Nally and staff in this. Pat has been to the forefront of all this.”

After a countdown the obelisk was unveiled and Minister for State at the Dept for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Robert Troy was invited by Shelagh Nangle to lay a bunch of flowers at the obelisk in memory of those who lost their lives in the River Shannon. This was followed by a minute’s silence.

The poem by John Earle on the obelisk is as follows:

Reflection

To the many,

This great river has taken,

And the many that’s

Left behind,

The emptiness felt

Is eclipsed,

Only by the

Joyful Memories

You shared with us,

Before you left us behind.