Date announced for switching on of Athlone's Christmas lights
Pictured ahead of the switching on of Athlone’s Christmas lights on December 1 were: (L to R): Damien Delaney, Treasurer, Athlone Festival & Events Group; PJ Glynn, Chairman, Athlone IFA Branch; John Henson, Chairman, Athlone Festival & Events Group; Mayor Frankie Keena, Secretary, Athlone Festival & Events Group; Dolores Crear, Manager Athlone Family Resource Centre; Padraig Hegarty, Chairman Athlone Family Resource Centre. Date announced for switching on of Athlone's Christmas lightsThe installation of Athlone's Christmas lights has gotten underway, with Sunday, December 1, announced as the date when they will be switched on with a ceremony in the civic square at 4pm. The town's Mayor, Cllr Frankie Keena, is secretary of the Athlone Festival & Events Group which is responsible for erecting the town's Christmas lights. The contractor is working to minimise any inconvenience, and the Athlone Festival & Events Group said it appreciates the community's patience and cooperation during the installation period. Cllr Keena said the Christmas lights are "an important part of our town's festive spirit," bringing joy to residents and visitors alike.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:31 UTC
Two Offaly stores honoured at Londis Retailing Excellence Awards
Pictured at the Londis Retailing Retailing Excellence Awards, which took place recently in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co. Kilkenny, were (from left): Declan Boyle Londis RDM; Orla Doolan and Ciarán Doolan, Doolan's Londis Kilcormac. Two Offaly stores honoured at Londis Retailing Excellence AwardsLondis retailers from every corner of the country, including two from Offaly, were honoured at the recent Londis Retailing Excellence Awards ceremony in Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny. Liam Doolan of Doolan's Londis in Kilcormac and Aidan Flynn of Knight's Londis in Clara were the Offaly retailers and stores honoured at the event which was hosted by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the Londis brand in Ireland. This year’s Londis Retailing Excellence Awards, held in association with independent body Solution Management Associates (SMA), recognised those Londis stores which excelled during the year across all areas of their store. "I offer my congratulations to these outstanding Londis retailers from Offaly and their staff."
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:17 UTC
McDonald's contributes over €3m to Offaly economy
The McDonald's outlet on Church Road, TullamoreMcDonald's contributes over €3m to Offaly economyIn 2023, McDonald’s contributed €3.6 million to the local economy and supported 106 jobs in Offaly, according to new research. McDonald’s has one restaurant in Offaly in Tullamore. The McDonald’s Ireland Social and Economic Impact Report highlighted that McDonald’s supports 11,640 jobs across Ireland and contributed €414.6 million to the Irish economy in 2023. It also revealed its ambition to create 1,000 new jobs across Ireland over the next four years, marking a €40 million investment. Out of the 11,640 jobs that McDonald’s supports in Ireland, 8,880 are directly employed by the company and its franchisees directly.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:17 UTC
Lewis Hamilton to fulfil final three races of his Mercedes career
Lewis Hamilton to fulfil final three races of his Mercedes careerBy Philip Duncan, PA F1 CorrespondentLewis Hamilton will fulfil the final three races of his Mercedes career as planned – starting at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion raised doubt over his immediate future following a post-race radio message at the previous round in Brazil. The team confirmed the 39-year-old will also address the media – as per his regular pre-race commitments – on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Hamilton endured one of the worst performances of his glittering career in Interlagos – crossing the line in 10th. Photo by Andre PennerIn a Mercedes press release ahead of this weekend’s event in the United States, team principal Toto Wolff said: “We head to Las Vegas ready to tackle the final three races of the season.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:17 UTC
Woodie’s Athlone marks 10 years of children's charity fundraising
Woodie’s staff at Woodie’s Athlone pictured with a cheque for €4,194 which was raised during the 10th annual Woodie’s Heroes campaign. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Woodie’s Heroes. This year’s charities were Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, Children’s Health Foundation, Childline by ISPCC, and Down Syndrome Ireland. Woodie’s colleagues at Woodie’s Athlone pictured with a cheque for €4,194 which was raised during the 10th annual Woodie’s Heroes campaign. “Woodie’s Heroes is part of what makes us who we are, and it strengthens our bond with the communities around us.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:15 UTC
Annual Moate Christmas Market takes place this weekend
Moate Sports & Recreation CentreAnnual Moate Christmas Market takes place this weekendThe annual Moate Christmas Market is set to take place on Sunday, November 24, from 11am to 6pm in Moate Sports & Recreation Centre. The market will be an indoor event, meaning attendees can enjoy the festivities out of the cold winter weather. The market features around 50 stalls with festive goods, food, and crafts, as well as a raffle with great prizes. With backing from local businesses and councillors Tom Farrell and Vinny McCormack, the event is a cherished community highlight. Don’t miss this chance to support a great cause while enjoying the festive atmosphere—there may even be a special visit from Santa!
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:15 UTC
You made tennis world proud – Federer pays tribute to friend and rival Nadal
You made tennis world proud – Federer pays tribute to friend and rival NadalBy Eleanor Crooks, PA Tennis Correspondent, MalagaRoger Federer has published a long letter paying tribute to great rival Rafael Nadal ahead of the Spaniard’s retirement, saying: “Your old friend is always cheering for you.”Nadal is bidding goodbye to tennis at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this week, with Spain beginning their campaign against the Netherlands later on Tuesday. Federer and Nadal’s rivalry defined one of the greatest eras in the sport, with the pair locking horns 40 times between 2004 and 2019. As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. “And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 16:13 UTC
Tennessee Hills lawsuit dismissed against Town of Jonesborough
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Source:The Herald
November 19, 2024 15:50 UTC
Harvest of Hope offers music, Thanksgiving dinner at Fender's Farm
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Source:The Herald
November 19, 2024 15:25 UTC
Athlone artist Anna Boles unveils her 2025 fundraising calendar
Athlone-based artist Anna Boles with her 2025 art calendar which is raising funds for the South Westmeath Hospice. Athlone artist Anna Boles unveils her 2025 fundraising calendarIn what has become a popular annual feature of the run-up to Christmas in Athlone, locally-based artist Anna Boles has launched a fundraising calendar showcasing some of her portraits of the town and the Midlands. The price of each calendar remains €15, with 25% of this going directly to the Hospice, along with 100% of all sponsorship raised. Anna's painting of Athlone's Franciscan Friary church, which sadly closed its doors recently, was chosen as the main image on the front of the 2025 calendar. Anna said she was delighted to have published the calendar again this year, adding that since it started the initiative had raised more than €12,000 for local charities.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 14:36 UTC
Gen Alpha are budding savers with average £400 in bank already, survey finds
About four-fifths (78%) of parents said they encourage their child to save some or all their pocket money, according to the UK-wide survey carried out by Censuswide in October. More than two-thirds (68%) of parents reported that their children are balancing saving with spending, using their pocket money to buy items such as food, toys, and video games. Joanne Phillips, managing director of Aviva Direct Wealth, said: “Our research suggests that Gen Alpha is emerging as Gen Save. “Children are starting to save early, manage their money wisely, and build strong financial habits that will benefit them well into the future. “With children already saving an average of over £400, they are gaining confidence in both the importance of saving and the benefits of interest-earning accounts – lessons that will serve them well during adulthood.”
Source:The Herald
November 19, 2024 13:34 UTC
Man charged in connection with serious assault in Kildare
Michael BoltonA man has been arrested in connection with the serious assault of a man in Kildare on Monday. The incident happened shortly before 12 noon on Newbridge Road, near the Ardconagh Housing Estate. A man in his 20s has been arrested and is currently being held in a Garda station in Kildare. In addition, they are appealing to those with video footage, particularly dash-cam footage from motorists traveling on Newbridge Road near the Ardconagh Housing Estate at the time, to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Source:The Herald
November 19, 2024 13:33 UTC
Barry McGuigan emotionally recollects death of daughter
Barry McGuigan emotionally recollects death of daughterBy Ellie Iorizzo, PA Los Angeles CorrespondentFormer boxing champion Barry McGuigan was consoled by his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates as he became emotional talking about his late daughter, who died five weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019. Actress Danika “Nika” McGuigan died on July 23 2019 at the age of 33, after her second bout of cancer. Barry McGuigan was comforted by his I’m A Celebrity campmates (ITV/Yoshitaka Kono) Photo by ITV/Yoshitaka KonoMcGuigan told his jungle campmates: “She had leukaemia. Danika, the daughter of former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan (Niall Carson/PA) Photo by Niall Carson“Stage 4 bowel cancer, five weeks, five weeks she died,” he said.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 13:30 UTC
Michael O’Neill believes Northern Ireland are moving in the right direction
Michael O’Neill believes Northern Ireland are moving in the right directionBy Ian Parker, PA, LuxembourgMichael O’Neill believes Northern Ireland’s successful Nations League campaign has shown his young team is moving in the right direction ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Over the past year, Northern Ireland have lost a whole host of players – including Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas and Jonny Evans – to retirement. Isaac Price is one of Northern Ireland’s young talents. “If you look at the team (in Luxembourg), we had two 19-year-olds playing and I would imagine the average age was close to 22,” O’Neill said. “I thought the game came forward maybe a bit more direct in that stage of the game, the game got stretched a little bit.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 13:30 UTC
LOETB Birr to host Christmas pop-up shop in aid of Offaly Hospice
Preparing for LEOTB Birr's Christmas pop-up shop in aid of Offaly Hospice were, back row, left to right, Molly Kavanagh, Dylan Kelly, Julia Odina and Olha Kalytka. LOETB Birr to host Christmas pop-up shop in aid of Offaly HospiceLaois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) in Birr is to host a Christmas pop-up shop called 'Merry Munchies for Charity' next week. Liam Butler from Offaly Hospice said: "We are delighted that the LOETB Birr students have chosen Offaly Hospice as their charity partner for this event, and all donations are greatly accepted. Keeva Abbott with Liam Butler, of Offaly Hospice, at LOETB Birr. Keeva Abbott, another one of LOETB Birr's Event Management students added, "I am absolutely delighted to be part of this event for Offaly Hospice.
Source:Irish Independent
November 19, 2024 13:30 UTC