Vikings take over ahead of Athlone River Festival
The Vikings have taken over Athlone as they prepare for the Athlone River Festival taking place on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
In conjunction with the Leinster School of Music and the Boyne Valley Vikings, Athlone River Festival hosted a day of engagements with the people of Athlone on Saturday, April 26.
The Leinster School of Dance from Moate performed in Golden Island Shopping Centre, putting on some fantastic displays of ballet, acrobatics and lyric dance.
The Vikings took over many businesses on the east and west side of the town, including Dooley's Flowers, Athlone Family Resource Centre, Gertie Brown's, Sean’s Bar, Walsh's Centra, Flannery’s, Church Street, The Bailey Bar, and Golden Island Shopping Centre.
The Boyne Valley Vikings worked on productions such as Valhalla, Vikings, How To Train Your Dragon, and various TV shows and films, This summer they are coming back to Athlone to take part in street theatre by the Athlone Family Resource Centre on Friday, August 1.
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Viking Mike, the festival main sponsor, with the Viking village stewards coordinator Vicky Grehan.Image 2 of 3
Kevin and Emmet Dooley, along with the River Festival youngest member Robyn Hegarty with the Boyne Valley Vikings at Dooley's.Image 3 of 3
Lenister School Dance [L-R] Ruby McCabe, Ava Dunne, Hallie Grace O’Dwyer, Caoimhe Moran, Moyà Tooher, Saoirse Moran, Molly Keena, Eabha Daly, Hannah Lowry.On the Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, they will have their Viking village under the white railway bridge just beyond Athlone Boat Club.
Chairman Padraig Hegarty stated that the festival committee was very happy with the community engagement and thanked both the Leinster School of Dance and the Boyne Valley Vikings for their time, adding that the response from local people has been “massive”.
"As a group of volunteers that put in so much time and energy into this festival we are delighted with this support. It helps us to put Athlone on the map once again, and this year as we believe Athlone to be the best festival destination for the August Bank Holiday weekend.”
The Athlone River Festival have set up a GoFundMe page in order to raise funds for the festival. They are also hosting a Viking cruise with Viking Tours Ireland on July 4, with all proceeds going towards the festival.
The Athlone River Festival committee would like to thank Viking Mike for this continued support and his main sponsorship support for the event again this year.
A full schedule of events will be announced to the public this coming May. to get involved please contact: Riverfestivalathlone@gmail.com