Athlone’s August River Festival promises to be the biggest yet

By David Flynn

There was huge enthusiasm and support among the large crowd who gathered in Athlone Castle’s Visitor’s Centre last Friday evening for the launch of the town’s three-day river festival, which will take place over the August bank holiday.

The attendance heard the speakers and organisers talk of a promising festival, which has grown in strength and activities from last year, and which is putting Athlone on the map.

The evening at the castle was graced by the presence of Vikings in their traditional garb mixing with the modern locals.

MC Carmel Duffy, Manager of Athlone Arts and Tourism said: “Community spirit is alive in Athlone and hopefully we can make a great success out of this year’s festival. It’s great to see groups from the east and west side all working together.”

Cllr Paul Hogan, Leas Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council officially launched the festival at Athlone Castle on the night, running from August 1 to 3, which he said promises to be the one of the biggest river festivals hosted in Athlone.

“Thousands of visitors are expected to descend upon the town, and Athlone recently twinned with the city of Providence in Rhode Island and we are expecting a strong delegation to travel from the US to join us in celebrating what Athlone has to offer.”

He highlighted that Athlone will also host Féile na Sionnaine on that weekend including traditional music, song, dance, poetry, and language in a showcase of Athlone culture.

“The Athlone River Festival has expanded on last year’s hugely successful event and promises to be an event not to be missed,” said the Westmeath Leas-Cathaoirleach.

He gave a breakdown of what will happen over the weekend, beginning with the Friday evening (August 1) Mythical Ireland Street parade travelling from John Paul Park and finishing at Dooley's Flower Shop.

“I want to commend all of the team in the Athlone Family Resource Centre and others for all of their work in adding to the colour and pageantry of the festival,” said Cllr Hogan.

“Historical walks and talks hosted by the Athlone Canal Heritage group will happen along Ranelagh, and the Number 1 Gun Battery and elsewhere. Viking Mike will also be available to offer his tours and history of the river. I want to thank Michael McDonnell (Viking Mike) of Viking Tours Athlone who are again the main sponsor of the Athlone River Festival.”

He talked jovially about Vikings being back to plunder Athlone and the Leas-Cathaoirleach welcomed the Boyne Valley Vikings, who will set up their camp along the riverfront between the Athlone Boat Club and the White Bridge.

“I am also looking forward to the Longboat and Kayak racing hosted by

Athlone Boat Club and Bay Sports Athlone,” he said. “There will be a number of special appearances of well- known faces taking part in those races so there

will be plenty of fun and enjoyment there for all ages.”

Cllr Hogan talked of the newly-named Athlone Woollen Mills Market being spread throughout the town with stalls around Athlone Castle, Burgess Park and Church Street.

“None of this would be possible without a hard-working and committed group of people and I want to thank the entire committee of Athlone River Festival, too many names to mention individually, but I want to mention one in particular, Padraig Hegarty, whose stewardship has been instrumental in developing this festival into one of the main regional festivals of the year,” said Cllr. Hogan.

“I also want to thank John Henson and the Athlone Festival and Events Committee and Fiona Ducke representing Féile na Sionnaine for their collaborative and partnership approach.”

The Leas-Cathaoirleach pointed out to the gathering that Athlone River Festival is a not-for-profit organization and that this year, the committee selected St. Hilda’s Special School to be the benefactors of a percentage of the money raised during this festival.

Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, OPW Minister of State, said: “This is all about getting people involved and selling what we have in Athlone and Westmeath, and we have so much to offer,” he said.

“Padraig Hegarty and his team has grasped that, and know that festivals are all about people, about community spirit and for people to get behind. I’d like to credit friends here on the left and right (of the room), because without you we wouldn’t have what we have.”

He revealed heartily that he has been fighting with Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers to get €2.2 billion for his department for the next five years.

“Trust me Athlone will be part of that development,” said Boxer. “I won’t be found wanting, when it comes to the town of Athlone.”

He praised Padraig Hegarty and John Henson’s involvement in the local festivals, and particularly the main sponsor, Michael McDonnell.

“Viking Mike has been vital to Athlone and I remember in 2008 when everywhere was in recession, he was there sponsoring and always at the helm,” said the Minister.

“Everyone in this room makes this festival and the poster this year encapsulates all the river groups that are part of it,” said River Festival Chairman Padraig Hegarty. “When I took on this role two years, one of the first people I went to was Viking Mike and it wasn’t hard to persuade him to come on board, and he is the main sponsor.”

He thanked Westmeath County Council for their involvement and the host of other sponsors, who were too many to mention, including those who gave money through the Go Fund Me page. Padraig also said there are eight zones where there will be activities for the festival this year, which is a fifty percent increase on last year’s festival.

“When it comes to community involvement in Athlone and bringing the town together, there is one person in particular I want to recognise for their drive, energy and commitment,” said Padraig, referring to John Henson, Chairman of Festival and Events committee.

John was presented with a painting of Athlone by the Athlone River Festival Chairman, before he too addressed the gathering at the Castle.

“With the likes of the people here, we are having festival after festival in Athlone, which brings continuity and cross-participation with kids,” said John.

He said that Athlone will get a name like Galway or Westport as a place of festivals.

Jackie Gorman told the gathering she was delighted to have written a poem, ‘The Weaver’ for this year’s River Festival, and while a lot of the focus of the festival is on the old Woollen Mills factory – Jackie decided to centre on one weaver who lodged in her house, on the westside, around the time of the 1901 Census!

“It’s nice to remember Mary Oakley and the hundreds like her who worked in the mills,” said the Athlone poet.

After the launch, many of the gathering from the castle took off on an evening trip on the Viking Boat, led by Viking Mike, which took place with the music of Liz Fletcher on guitar and vocals.

There will be many activities during the August bank holiday weekend, including a two-day angling competition, the Athlone Woollen Mills market, activities in Burgess Park including a two-day carnival, Athlone Castle opening, a family hub for face-painting and activities under the new cycleway bridge, Beat on the Street and the opening of the Athlone Boat Club building to the public and water safety demonstrations by the Lough Ree RNLI, River Safety Awareness Group and Athlone Sub-Aqua club.