Host of fantastic events locally for St Patrick’s Festival weekend
Local parade organisers have made this year's St Patrick's day celebrations a weekend jam packed with fun activities and events as the festivities take place for the first time post-pandemic.
Athlone is home to an amazing four-day festival for St Patrick's Day this year. The Croí na hÉireann festival culminates with the St Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 20, starting at 2pm on Magazine Road and finishing up at Golden Island.
The Ballinasloe St Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Thursday, March 17, with assembly at the Fair Green at 1.30pm. The parade will begin at 2pm sharp and will make a circle of the town, making its way past Society Street, Main Street and Dunlo Street before finishing up in St Michael's Square.
Ballymahon St Patrick's Day parade will be held on Thursday, March 17, from 4pm.
The Athlone festival gets underway on Wednesday and events planned including a Market in Athlone Town Centre from 12pm to 6pm on Thursday, Poetry in the Park by Caroline Coyle at 2pm in Burgess Park, Trad and dance under the canopy with Neil Fitzgibbons Band dBize and Darina Ganly School of Dancing from 2pm to 4pm, while Athlone Pipe Band play St Mary's Hall from 6pm to 8pm.
On Friday, March 18, some of the key events include the market in Athlone Town Centre from 12pm to 6pm, a fishing competition at Lough Ree from 10am to 6pm, a greenway Kiddies Treasure Trail from noon to 2.30pm from Whitegates to Garrycastle GAA Clubhouse and a set dance ceili with Rise the Dust at Athlone GAA Clubhouse from 8pm in Athlone GAA Club.
On Saturday, March 19, along with market, there is a RNLI and Athlone River Safety Demonstration at 10am at the rear of Sean's Bar. Paddy's Ramblers Walking Tour starts at 10.30am at Creggan Bog Roundabout, while there is an American Football Game at 2pm in Athlone GAA Club and an Open Darts Competitoon at 4pm in Dan's Tavern.
On Sunday, along with the centrepiece parade, there will be a market in Athlone Town Centre from 12pm to 6pm, while Athlone Boat Club will host an open morning and display from 9am to 10.30am. There is also a Kids Funfair in Burgess Park from 11am to 5pm and an Athlone Karate Club display from 12pm to 5pm in St Mary's Hall. Eva Coyle will play at the Canopy from 3.30pm to 5.30pm
There will be festival music in pubs including The Castle Inn, Sean's Bar, The Snug on various nights throughout the festival.
This year, there is no parade in Moate.