A Church Street scene from Athlone River Festival and Féile na Sionainne parade through the town. Vibrant festival programme brought Athlone to life in 2025By Rebekah O'ReillyIn 2025, Athlone came alive with a lively mix of festivals, including Croí na hÉireann, CROÍLÁR Festival, Féile na Sionnaine, Athlone River Festival, and the Heart of Ireland Burlesque, among many other cultural celebrations. From spring through autumn, the town buzzed with parades, performances, workshops, and community events, making Athlone a vibrant hub for local and regional culture. The spring brought one of Athlone’s most diverse cultural festivals Croí na hÉireann, centred around the St Patrick’s Day. Highlights included the Mythical Ireland Street Parade kicking off the festivities, longboat and kayak races on the Shannon, and Viking heritage demonstrations at Athlone Castle.

Source: Irish Independent January 09, 2026 16:17 UTC