Athlone Civic Centre

Heavin seeks use of Athlone civic offices for civil ceremonies

Green Party councillor Louise Heavin has made a second bid to have the Athlone Civic Offices used as a location for civil wedding ceremonies.

Having initially raised the issue with the council two years ago, it was again on the agenda of last month's meeting, where Cllr Heavin was told that it would “not be feasible” for the council chamber to be used for civil ceremonies as it was in regular use for district meetings and “other council-related business.”

However, District Manager Jackie Finney said the issue would have to be discussed “at corporate level” and she agreed to raise it with the corporate policy section of the local authority.

She pointed out that there would be “costs associated” with opening the space for civil ceremonies, but added that the council could take another look at the use of the chamber for such a purpose.

In its written answer to Cllr Heavin, Westmeath County Council said requests for Athlone Castle and the Luan Gallery for civil ceremonies were taken “on a case-by-case basis,” and that, depending on programming and operational capabilities, “these requests are considered.”

It also added that both locations “also facilitate wedding photographs, subject to operations.”

On the proposed use of the council chamber for ceremonies, the written answer stated that this location “is used for District meetings and other council-related business. The Chamber is in regular use and it would not be feasible that the Chamber is used for civil ceremonies.”

Cllr Heavin expressed her disappointment with the response, saying it differed from what she had been told previously.

She added that that there was a distinct lack of “nice spaces” in Athlone for couples who wish to avail of “non-religious ceremonies.”