Helping to restore the Athlone canal to its former glory

Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in association with Westmeath County Council

Volunteer of the Year finalist: Shay Hamilton

Shay Hamilton is the Chairman of the Athlone Canal Regeneration Group, which was set up to transform a stagnant and unused section of the canal into an amenity which will revitalise the west side of the town.

Shay and his committee started on a small section and completely transformed it. The section now holds fish, wildfowl and some beautiful flora and fauna. Large tracts of bankside have also been planted with native flowers.

Over the years, the group has funded various ecological, wildlife, structural and architectural surveys and reports, in efforts to restore the canal to its former glory.

It has also undertaken the enhancement of the Shannon Banks Nature Trail Canal Walkway, including recent improvements to the footpaths and canal banks extending from Connaught Street to Magazine and Battery Bridges.

Shay is also involved in the Athlone No. 1 Gun Battery Heritage Group, founded in 2016 to preserve the No. 1 Gun Battery on Talbot Avenue in Athlone, the only surviving remnant of the massive fortifications built to defend the town during the Napoleonic Wars.

Conservation has involved works to the dry moat wall, including the replacement of cornerstones. The introduction of the No 1 Battery story map created by Abarta Heritage with support from Westmeath County Council is another recent addition to the site. The end goal is to turn the No. 1 Gun Battery site into a military heritage trail.

Shay has volunteered with numerous organisations over the years, and speaking previously to the Westmeath Independent, said he always asked himself the question as to whether he could make “a significant difference” by volunteering his services to various groups.

“Through volunteering I have met people from all walks of life who would never have crossed my path in the ordinary course of events,” he said.

"There is a huge sense of satisfaction in giving back to your local community and in achieving something worthwhile that will benefit future generations.”

The Volunteer of the Year finalists are Maeve Harkins, Clare Lennon and Shay Hamilton

The Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors