Mairead Mannion, Brian Gaynor, Cllr. Paul Hogan Leas Cathoirleach Westmeath Co. Co., Cllr. John Dolan, Padraig Higgins, Sheila Plunkett, Cllr. Frankie Keena, Willie Brady, Micheál Coughlan Athlone GAA, Denis O’Flaherty and Cyril Moriarty at the Athlone Tidy Towns biodiversity tree planting initiative in Pairc Chiarán last Sunday. Photo Paul Molloy.

Athlone Tidy Towns launches community biodiversity action plan

Published: Fri 13 Mar 2026, 10:16 AM

Last updated: Fri 13 Mar 2026, 10:22 AM

Athlone Tidy Towns launched its Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) with a tree planting event in the grounds of Athlone GAA recently.

The Tidy Towns committee recently received grant approval from Community Foundation Ireland for the development of the plan.

Athlone Tidy Towns committee member Willie Brady said the CBAP process will involve collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders and opportunities for engagement with the public in line with a number of key objectives.

"Our CBAP will align with the national biodiversity plan and guide our actions for biodiversity in Athlone. We will engage with stakeholders across our community, including the Biodiversity Officer in Westmeath County Council, in our efforts to make Athlone a better place for people, nature and wildlife. "We will also implement a five-year plan that we can use to target funding opportunities to deliver projects for biodiversity," Mr Brady said.

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Julie Shorley and Oliver Shorley at the Athlone Tidy Towns biodiversity tree planting initiative in Pairc Chiarán last Sunday. Photo Paul Molloy. Paul Molloy 2026

Mr Brady also confirmed that the funding will enable Athlone Tidy Towns to contract an expert ecologist to develop the CBAP.

Speaking at the launch, the Athlone Tidy Towns committee member expressed his gratitude to Athlone GAA for hosting the event and to all in attendance including Westmeath County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Hogan, Cllr John Dolan, Cllr Frankie Keena, fellow committee members, representatives from the Athlone Biodiversity Group, Treesontheland charity and the local community.

"Over the coming year, we look forward to developing a CBAP that will enable key actions to enhance nature and wildlife in our wonderful town for many years to come," Mr Brady added.

Cllr Hogan said that the local public representatives were "delighted and fully supportive of the proposed CBAP", and that the "timing was excellent" in aligning with Westmeath’s updated Biodiversity Action Plan.

Concluding, Mr Brady stated that expressions of interest in the Athlone Tidy Towns CBAP process can be communicated via email to athlonetidytowns2022@gmail.com.