Public Notices March 2024
If anyone requires any further information on these public notices then please get in touch with me.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme
www.gov.ie/paymentscheme
Athlone Croi na hEireann 2024 a major success
The 2024 Athlone Croi na hEireann Festival was a major success again this year with a wide spectrum of groups and organisations providing activities, events over the five days. The quality and level of activities put on were exceptional. The festival concluded with a fabulous grand parade through Athlone with over 1000 participants marching and […]
Athlone Christmas Market 2023 — a total success
The Athlone Christmas Market Committee which is a voluntary group, would like to express a sincere thank you to the thousands of people who visited the market over the four days last week. The place was buzzing with a wide variety of excellent gifts and bargains on display in all stalls. It was just fantastic […]
Waiting an hour and twenty minutes for Garda Car
Anti social behaviour and crime that is taking place in Athlone on a regular basis is completely unacceptable. It is important to say that I am not stigmatising Athlone as this carry on is a nationwide problem but it is an issue in Athlone that is causing fear, stress and huge inconvenience to the local […]
Keena proposes Boardwalk for Carn Park Bog
Over the last couple of years the Baylin Development & Residents Association carried out enhancement work on the Baylin Bog Trail thanks to Just Transition Funding and great support from Westmeath County Council. This has now become a popular walking route for the public as it links to Baylin village by a new footpath which […]
Affidea MRI scan facility for Athlone
I was delighted to recently provide a very warm welcome to Affidea Diagnostics Ireland Ltd to Athlone and to have obtained a special viewing of its new Athlone MRI Scan facility. This MRI diagnostics facility which has now just gone operational in the town is located in a modular unit to the rear of the […]
Westmeath Co Co Budget 2024
Please see link below to Westmeath County Council’s annual budget for 2024. This year the overall budget for the county has reached €108.1M. This is a massive increase which clearly confirms that Westmeath is a very progressive busy county. https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/AdoptedBudgetBook2024.pdf
Come on the Town —– whooooo!!
So proud of the Athlone Town Senior Women’s Football team on winning the FAI Cup against Shelbourne. This marvellous game went to penalties with Athlone winning 6 – 5. The last time that Athlone Town FC won a senior cup was in 1924, so this recent win is history in the making. Massive congratulations to […]
A guide to Budget 2024 (Dail)
This guide provides a high-level overview of Budget 2024. It aims to explain how money will be raised and spent in 2024. If anyone needs clarification to items in the Budget 2024 please let me know.
Affordable House Purchase Scheme
The Affordable House Purchase Scheme sees Westmeath County Council make new, local homes available for purchase by First Time Buyers and Fresh Start applicants at reduced prices, whose combined mortgage and deposit will not cover the market price of the newly built home. In return, Westmeath County Council takes a percentage equity stake in […]
The Art of Thatching, video
This video showcases the fantastic traditional skill of Thatching thanks to funding from Westmeath County Council. A big concern is that the thatched cottage are rapidly becoming scarce in Ireland. Therefore it is so important to keep this tradition alive for future generations to maintain what we have today. There are a number of thatched […]
History made with the opening of the new Athlone Greenway Bridge.
There was an absolutely fabulous buzz in Athlone on Tuesday 8th August 2023 for the official opening of the new iconic Greenway Bridge with large crowds in attendance to be part of this major historical occasion. The official ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by Minister Jack Chambers. The high spec and attention to detail […]
€114m investment in Athlone
Work is well underway with the construction of a landmark €114m investment of a wastewater scheme in Athlone by Uisce Eireann. On completion the project will upgrade the town’s wastewater infrastructure which will safeguard the environment, enhance water quality in the River Shannon, and enable future growth and development through the town and environs. The […]
Athlone Croi na hEireann Festival Grows
Delighted to be a member of a very energetic voluntary committee whose soul remit is to provide a wow festival in Athlone to coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The festival which runs for five days offers an opportunity to all groups and organisations in the town to showcase their talents and skills to […]
Esker Riada, Ancient Roads of Ireland, video
The Esker Riada provided a route through the bogs of the Irish Midlands. It has, since ancient times, formed a highway joining the east and west of Ireland. The monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise was constructed at the point where the River Shannon passes through the Esler Riada. In contrasts with the surrounding boglands, the glacial […]
Croí Cónaithe Grant Scheme
The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, to be delivered by local authorities, will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high. When the […]
Disgraceful vandalism to Athlone IWA Sensory Garden, Cllr. Keena
Cllr. Frankie Keena who is the Chairman of the Athlone Irish Wheelchair Association Branch said that he is just abhorred and furious by the mindless vandalism that was carried out last Sunday to the Sensory Garden attached to the IWA Centre in Clonbrusk. This beautiful garden offers a tranquil place where people with additional needs […]
Housing supports for older people and people with disabilities
Westmeath County Council provides grants to people who fit into the categories below (subject to certain conditions) to help them stay in their homes longer. If anyone needs and help in filling out these forms and applying please get in touch with me.
Applying for Social Housing in Westmeath
Number of persons Maximum net income Single Adult €35,000 2 Adults No Children €36,750 1 Adult 1 Child €35,875 1 Adult 2 Children €36,750 2 Adults 1 Child €37,625 2 Adults 2 Children €38,500 2 Adults 3 Children €39,375 2 Adults 4 or more Children €40,250 3 Adults 4 or more Children €42,000 Income Threshold […]
Wrought Iron Gate Heritage Project
After been contact by Westmeath County Council’s Heritage Officer to carry out a wrought iron gate project in the area, Cllr. Frankie Keena stated that it was fantastic to see so many heritage groups and individuals stretching from Kilbeggan to Rathowen to Athlone participating in the project. The project consisted of locating, recording and photographing […]
TFI new local bus service Athlone – Mullingar
Cllr. Frankie Keena has warmly welcomed the announcement by TFI Local Link of the new bus route between Athlone and Mullingar starting on Monday 28th August. This is just marvellous news for people living in both Athlone and Mullingar and indeed all the identified village stops and environs along the route, he said. I have […]
Battery secrets revealed 2023, 3rd video
This is our third video on the Athlone No. 1 Gun Battery. Significant progress is evident.
World Drowning Prevention Awareness Day
Shining a light on World Drowning Prevention Awareness Day 25th July 2023, members from Water Safety Ireland’s local committee met with Cllr Frankie Keena who had organised for the railway bridge to be lit blue for the event. Water Safety Ireland is encouraging everyone to turn blue, and try to learn one new Water Safety […]
Hatton’s Forge, Baylin (Video)
The MTB Heritage Group is delighted to have sourced funding from Westmeath County Council via the Creative Ireland Fund to create a heritage video on Hatton’s Forge in Baylin. Grab a coffee and enjoy this amazing video about the work and skills of the Blacksmith. Big thanks to Ernie & George Hatton for sharing their […]
‘Memories of the Big Houses’ in Westmeath
Part One – ‘A last Taste of Luxury’ explores life inside the Big House, particularly under the stairs and looking at those who worked there. It features Tullynally Castle, Belvedere House, Daramona House and others. Thanks to Westmeath County Council for funding these and Bailey & Blake for producing the videos. Part Two – ‘The […]
Opening Up Athlone No. 1 Gun Battery, 2nd Video
This is a second video on progress works on the Athlone No. 1 Gun Battery. Hope you enjoy it.
Athlone No. 1 Gun Battery, A Deafening Silence. 1st Video
Delighted to be a member of the Athlone No.1 Gun Battery committee which is ably led by Shay Hamilton. Over the years significant conservation progress has been made on this very important heritage structure in Athlone. This is the last remaining Gun Battery in the Town. The ongoing support from Melanie McQuaide WCC Heritage Officer, […]
Athlone’s Bike for Hire Scheme
In 2022 Westmeath County Council had planned to pilot a Bike for Hire Scheme in Mullingar in preparation for the All Ireland Fleadh. I am glad to say that following my intervention as Chairman of Westmeath County Council it was agreed to also roll out this Bike for Hire Scheme in Athlone at the same […]
Hidden History (A Baylin Ringfort) Video
The MTB Heritage Group continues its work in highlighting various Heritage sites of interest in their area. This video focuses on an excellent fully in tack Ring Fort located in the Twyford area of Baylin. Funding for this video was kindly provided by Westmeath County Council via Creative Ireland. Big thanks to all who participated […]
The Burning of Moydrum Castle 1921 (Video)
As part of the work of the MTB Heritage Group it was great to have this information video produced to mark the centenary of the Burning of Moydrum Castle (1921 – 2021). Big thanks to Westmeath County Council and Dr. Paul Hughes, Historian in Residence.
Carn Park Bog, Video
The MTB Heritage Group is delighted to have sourced funding from Westmeath County Council via the Creative Ireland Fund to create a heritage video on Carn Park Bog. Take time out and enjoy this fabulous video which showcases the biodiversity of this bog. Big thanks to students and staff from both Baylin and Mount Temple National Schools, […]
Mount Temple Holy Trinity Graveyard, Video
“In the Footsteps of History” is the title of our second series of videos celebrating our heritage in the townlands of Mount Temple / Baylin. The Holy Trinity Church and graveyard can be found in the core of Mount Temple village and is the location of the former medieval parish church of Ballyloughloe, an upright […]