Two Athlone-area events are runners-up at National Heritage Week awards
Events organised by two community groups in the Athlone area were named as runners-upin their respective categories at the National Heritage Week Awards which were announced at a ceremony last Friday, October 17, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.
An 'Echoes of Athlone' event organised by the Connaught Street & Environs Group was named as a runner up for the ‘Exploring our Foundations Award’.
This live-heritage event in the Connaught Street area featured a pipe band parade, market stalls, music, a guided exploration of historic gravestones, and family activities to evoke Athlone's past.
Meanwhile a 200th anniversary commemoration of the Low Road (L-1459), between Ballykeeran and Glasson, which was organised by the Tubberclair Local Action Group, was a runner up for the ‘Inclusive Event Award’.
The anniversary celebration featured a guided walk of the historic route, a photography exhibition and family entertainment.
Both events took place as part of National Heritage Week, which was held from August 16-25 this year.
The 2025 National Heritage Week Awards featured a wide range of national categories, reflecting the diversity of heritage across Ireland — from themes like Exploring Our Foundations, Wild Child, and Water Heritage, to Inclusive Heritage, Irish Language, Sustainability and Climate, and Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: "The Heritage Council would like to extend its warm congratulations to the runners-up of this year’s National Heritage Week Awards.
"The standard of entries was exceptionally high, and the projects recognised as runners-up demonstrated remarkable creativity, commitment, and community spirit. Each of them made an outstanding contribution to celebrating and safeguarding Ireland’s heritage.
"We are deeply appreciative of the passion and dedication shown by all those involved, and we take great pride in supporting their efforts to keep our shared heritage alive for future generations.”
Westmeath Co Council Heritage Officer, Melanie McQuade, said: "I am very proud to say that two wonderful Westmeath projects were recognised as runners-up in the National Heritage Week Awards.
"'Echoes of Old Athlone – A Day of Living History in Connaught Street Environs' and the 'Commemorative 200th Anniversary of the Construction of the Low Road (L-1459)' both showcased exceptional community spirit and creativity in celebrating our heritage.
"Congratulations to everyone involved for your dedication, imagination, and commitment to preserving and sharing Westmeath's rich history."