Packed programme schedule for Athlone River Festival
The recently launched Athlone River Festival will "showcase all the best the town has to offer" when it takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday, July 31 until Monday, August 3.
Athlone River Festival chairperson Padraig Hegarty said the comprehensive programme schedule has a "family feel" to it, with a multitude of events happening during the four-day occasion.
Given the theme of the festival, a number of events are river focused, while an opening parade, outdoor concerts and traders’ market also form part of the programme schedule.
A street theatre parade will open this year's Athlone River Festival on Friday, July 31, at 7.30pm. Starting at Golden Island Shopping Centre, the parade will weave its way through the streets of the town before culminating at Dooley's Flower Shop in the West End.
Embracing a 'Fire and Water' theme, the parade will see the Boyne Valley Vikings, fire breathers, stilt walkers, street puppets and dance performances bringing Athlone to life, the route featuring a sensory area from Burgess Park to the Dunnes Stores junction on John Broderick Street.
The opening night schedule will conclude with a free outdoor concert at Athlone Castle featuring Athlone band Luain with support from local solo artist Jack Tiernan.
A key feature of the 2025 river festival, the Athlone Woollen Mills Market, returns and will provide a focal point at Athlone Castle and St Bernard’s Quay for the weekend event as over 55 traders from across the Midlands line the riverside with locally made goods, artisan food and unique crafts. The market will open on Saturday, August ,1 and Sunday, August 2, from 10am-7pm.
The Viking Village will also open on Saturday morning. Located under the White Railway Bridge, the public will have the opportunity to experience Viking life through interactive displays, demonstrations and family-friendly activities. The Viking Village will open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2.
In keeping with the river theme, Baysports-sponsored dragon boat and kayak racing will take place at Athlone Boat Club, from 12pm to 3pm. The event will see local business and sporting clubs face off as they compete for the 'King of the River' mantle, while Viking Mike, the main sponsor for the 2026 Athlone River Festival, will operate cruises along the River Shannon from the rear of Athlone Castle on both festival days.
A further riverside competition will take place at the Big Meadow on Saturday when Mad Caps Course Angling Club hosts a national course angling competition from 10am until 5pm.
Saturday will also see an Athlone Family Resource Centre hosted music jam from 11am until 1pm.
Visitors are invited to explore the free exhibition at Luan Gallery and sample the carnival atmosphere at the funfair in Golden Island during the festival weekend.
Paula Sharkey will also guide biodiversity and nature walks at 11am on Saturday morning with the Woollen Mill Market being the meeting point for this event.
Athlone River Festival attractions and activities continue on Sunday, August 2.
A focal feature on the Sunday programme schedule is the Athlone Triathlon Club hosted National Aquathlon Championships 2026 and the Athlone River Fest 'Try-A-Tri' with the event starting from Athlone Boat Club at 10am.
The day will see river safety demonstrations presented by the RNLI in partnership with Athlone River Safety Awareness and Athlone Sub Aqua Club. These demonstrations will start at 3pm.
Live music will be a feature at the Woollen Mills Market with Athlone Family Resource Centre hosting youth music jam from 11am to 1.30pm. Athlone Family Resource Centre are also hosting family yoga, from 2pm until 3pm and a circus skills workshop from 3pm until 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
A family-focused martial arts event, hosted by Martin Ward’s Na Fianna Martial Arts, is scheduled to take place at the Athlone Family Resource Centre Tent.
Anglers will return to the Big Meadow once again on Sunday for the Mad Caps national course angling competition which will be in session from 10am until 5pm.
The Viking Village will offer a final opportunity to experience Viking life and culture when it opens from 11am to 4pm on Sunday.
At the recent launch event, chairperson Padraig Hegarty, expressed his thanks to the local community for their ongoing support, referencing the main sponsor, Viking Tours Ireland and Spectrum Signs, without who, he said, a packed programme schedule "would not happen".