Press Release issued 28th May 2009

Athlone - Discover what is on your doorstep
Open Day to take place Sunday 14th June

This year's Discover Athlone Day will take place on Sunday 14th June as locals and visitors alike are encouraged to come along and enjoy an afternoon of free activities with fun for all the family. Now in its second year, the event will be used to showcase everything that is on offer in the area. Organised by Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Athlone Town Council, the open day will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the tourism assets of the Athlone region.

The event is also supported by www.athlone.ie, Athlone Chamber of Commerce, County Westmeath Tourism and local businesses.

The Discover Athlone initiative is part of a broader campaign to develop and promote Ireland's Lakelands and Inland Waterways which aims to significantly boost visitor numbers to the Lakeland regions over the next three years.

Kevin Kidney, General Manager Fáilte Ireland East and Midlands, said -

"Following the resounding success of last year's Discover Athlone Day, once again the town has been chosen to showcase the tourism assets of the Lakelands region. In fact other locations in the Lakelands region are following the blueprint set by Athlone."

"We hope the event will give local people a greater awareness of what to see and do in their community and therefore, allow them to act as ambassadors for their region with both domestic and overseas visitors. They may even consider inviting friends to join them for the weekend to sample the delights of the town and its environs"

A range of product offerings will be on display including visitor attractions, face painting, live music and activities. Locals will be able to enjoy a historical walking tour of Athlone, a sub-aqua demonstration, boat trips and follow a free craft trail to Clonmacnoise. Events are being co-ordinated locally via a steering group formed from representatives of local businesses and chaired by Tony McDermott, Centre Manager of the Golden Island Shopping Centre.

According to Martin Dennany, Marketing Director for Waterways Ireland -

"The Discover Athlone Day has become a hugely successful initiative throughout the Lakelands and Inland Waterways Region. The people and attractions of Athlone make this area stand out and I believe the local organising committee have been very successful in attracting a wide range of activity to fulfil the 1,000's of visitors expected on 14 June."

"This investment in the development of local knowledge and expertise will impact long term on the visitor experience in and around Athlone, and Waterways Ireland is delighted to have played a part in making this a reality."

This year a Discover Athlone Photography Competition is running in the lead up to the event and both budding and professional photographers are invited to submit entries under the theme of 'Athlone and its Waterways.' All entries should be delivered to the Customer Service Desk in Athlone Towncentre before 5pm on Friday 5th June.

Furthermore, Golden Island Shopping Centre is hosting a primary schools art competition. Entries from the school children will be on display in the centre during the week leading up to the event.

Speaking at this evening's launch in the Athlone Civic Centre, Mayor of Athlone, Cllr Egbert Moran said -

"Athlone Town Council is pleased to work with Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland in highlighting the visitor facilities we have on our doorstep. The Discover Athlone Day will give the people of Athlone and surrounding areas the opportunity to experience the wonderful visitor attractions, facilities and services we have to offer so they can in turn become our best ambassadors in promoting Athlone as a visitor destination."