FLASHBACK: Minister opens three Athlone housing schemes

From the Westmeath Independent, Saturday, September 10, 1955

The housing drive, which Athlone Urban Council has pressed forward with great energy since 1950, reached a successful finale with the official opening on Wednesday, by the Minister for Local Government, Mr. P. O’Donnell, of the Beechpark West, Ave Maria Terrace and Iona Park schemes.

The Beechpark West tenant-purchase scheme of 62 houses, which were built by Messrs. T. Mclnerney and Sons, is the largest scheme of its kind to be carried out by a local authority outside Dublin.

They were blessed by Rev. W. Quinn, Adm., St. Mary’s, before their official opening. The two other schemes, 14 at Ave Maria Terrace and 50 at Iona Park, which were built by direct labour, were blessed by the Rev. Fr. M. O’Beirne, C.C., St. Peter’s.

The urban council now own 849 houses, which accommodate more than fifty per cent of the entire population of the town, and the housing problem locally is regarded as virtually solved.

In the course of an address of welcome by the council, read by Mr. D. F. McCarthy, town clerk, the members extended on behalf of the citizens of Athlone a hearty welcome to the Minister, stating that they did so happy in the knowledge that through his efforts and those of their officials, the housing shortage, which even in 1950 was acute, had been almost ended.

The Minister thanked the council sincerely for their address of welcome, and said that Athlone was not only a well-known name in Irish history, but in Irish industry as well. It was one of the most progressive towns in the country and was always noted for its great spirit of nationality.

Irrespective of politics or religion, the people of Athlone had always come together to work for the general good.