Vibrant festival programme brought Athlone to life in 2025

By Rebekah O'Reilly

In 2025, Athlone came alive with a lively mix of festivals, including Croí na hÉireann, CROÍLÁR Festival, Féile na Sionnaine, Athlone River Festival, and the Heart of Ireland Burlesque, among many other cultural celebrations.

From spring through autumn, the town buzzed with parades, performances, workshops, and community events, making Athlone a vibrant hub for local and regional culture.

The spring brought one of Athlone’s most diverse cultural festivals Croí na hÉireann, centred around the St Patrick’s Day. The festival combined theatre nights, family funfair attractions, sporting events, boat club races on the Shannon and performances from local dance schools. A colourful St Patrick’s Day parade through the town centre formed the festival’s climax.

Spring also saw the arrival of a brand new festival, the CROÍLÁR Festival, designed to spotlight emerging Irish talent in music, comedy, storytelling and the arts. Held over a long weekend in April, the part music festival, part cultural showcase, featured performances by local and regional artists including Tolu Makay, David Kitt and story‑tellers like Seanchoíche, alongside a pop‑up Gaeltacht space to celebrate the Irish language.

Founded by a group of Midlands-based individuals, including organizers like Jack O'Meara, Leah Moloney, David Flanagan, Tori Henry, Eddie Connolly, Colm McDald, Aisling Keenan, Molly O'Meara, and Shane Nugent, CROÍLÁR quickly established itself as a platform for creative expression and community participation, with workshops, family activities, DJs and pop‑up events across local venues.

One of the highlights of Athlone’s summer was Féile na Sionainne, the traditional Irish music, song and dance festival that once again took over the town across the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The festival offered an action-packed programme spanning music therapy sessions, inclusive trad discos, street parades, Ceílís and live performances on Church Street. Events catered to all ages and tastes, with local musicians and national acts bringing the streets and venues of Athlone to life.

The festival also featured an open busking competition and was run in collaboration with Athlone Riverfest, ensuring the August Bank Holiday was a true celebration of community and culture.

Athlone River Festival ran concurrently with Féile na Sionainne, celebrating Athlone’s connection to the River Shannon, the three‑day event took over the town with activities along the riverfront and beyond.

Organisers built on the success of previous years with a 50 % increase in activities covering eight festival zones, from family events to historical talks. Highlights included the Mythical Ireland Street Parade kicking off the festivities, longboat and kayak races on the Shannon, and Viking heritage demonstrations at Athlone Castle.

The festival also brought a rich mix of experiences, including historical walks and talks by the Athlone Canal Heritage group, markets stretching from Burgess Park to Church Street, and community partnerships that included water safety demonstrations and national sporting competition integration, such as the National Aquathon Championships held on the festival’s closing day.

Organisers and supporters praised the growth in community involvement and the festival’s role in showcasing Athlone as both a cultural and tourism destination.

As summer turned to autumn, Athlone sparkled with the return of the Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival. Attracting performers from around the globe, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany and the United States, the three‑day event celebrated performance art, empowerment and spectacle in venues across the town including the Dean Crowe Theatre and The Venue.

Highlights included the Sionnan Spirit Award, the Gala Night where performers competed for the Heart of Ireland title, workshops, cabaret tours on the Viking Boat and a showcase of local vendors alongside international performers. Organised by Athlone native Michelle Jinks (Miss Memphis Shell), the festival has become a highlight of the latter summer season, mixing creativity with local support and international flair.

Athlone's festival programme in 2025 highlighted the town’s ability to blend tradition with innovation. With every parade, performance, and workshop, Athlone not only celebrated its rich heritage but also strengthened its identity as a vibrant cultural hub, leaving residents and visitors alike with memories to treasure long after the festival lights dimmed.