Athlone Apple Day event set for Bank Holiday Monday

An event in Athlone will be celebrating all things apple This Halloween Bank Holiday Monday, October 25.

There will be a gathering in the Franciscan Friary Orchard from 2 - 4pm, to celebrate the apple and launch 'Athlone Apples - At The Core of Ireland', a new project aiming to create community orchards and an edible food trail in Athlone town.

Apart from the delicious healthy fruit they provide, don't forget the the beautiful blossom and the improvement in air quality that all trees promote.

Local apple experts Stephen Marsh and Padraig Higgins will be in attendance along with Jeremy Turkington, Orchard Curator at Irish Seedsavers Association in Scariff, who will bring a wide selection of apples and apple trees, old and modern varieties, and will be available to answer questions on their planting, growth and care.

Visitors are welcome to bring along their own apples for identification too!

The Athlone Apple Day event will be green and wholesome promising great fun for all the family with competitions and prizes for the tastiest apple pie, apple cake and apple chutney as well as the best home-made Halloween costume.

In addition, there will be an acoustic music session, storytelling, willow basket weaving and basket repairs, mime artistry, theatre, local foods and Halloween games.

Any local musicians, apple pie or chutney aficionados or anyone passionate about apples and planting, should contact Lynda on 087 7927471 if you would like to get involved!