Street spectacle to open upcoming Athlone River Festival

A spectacular procession, hosted by Athlone Family Resource Centre, will open the upcoming Athlone River Festival.

The street procession, entitled ‘From Snake’s End to Horse’s Dawn: Ireland’s Living Legends’, will take place on Friday, July 31, at 7.30pm in Athlone town centre.

The street spectacle, now in its third year, brings together 23 community groups and organisations from Athlone, Moate, Mullingar and the wider Midlands, showcasing youth creativity, cultural heritage, and local arts engagement.

Supported by Longford Westmeath CYPSC Our Voice Our Wellbeing funding and Westmeath County Council Sláintecare Seed Funding, along with additional financial assistance from Athlone River Festival and Cllr Paul Hogan, the procession will feature giant street puppets, dancers, drummers, fire performers, stilt walkers, Viking re‑enactors and mythological figures including The Morrígan, Setanta, Cú Chulainn, Brigid and Sionnan.

The procession will travel from Burgess Park through Mardyke Street, Church Street, Athlone Town Bridge, Sean’s Bar and onto Connaught Street, with An Garda Síochána operating rolling road junction delays closures to minimise disruption.

A designated sensory route will run from Burgess Park to Dunnes Stores, offering a quieter experience for those who benefit from reduced noise.

Parking restrictions and temporary access limitations will apply along the route, with pedestrian access maintained where safe to do so.