Athlone thread

flazio · 18-04-2019 6:06am

Type "concert bus" into Google and you'll see some transport options that serve Athlone

homenotaway · 26-04-2019 10:53am

Hi all, looking for some advice.

I have Lleylandi trees on the outskirts of Athlone that are badly in need of trimming.

If anyone could recommend someone who could do this for me I would very much appreciate it, thank you.

veryangryman · 29-04-2019 9:56am

Thoughts on the local elections? Both sides of the bridge.

Ros side, probably voting in Keogh as he's from Monksland and seems to be fairly active in the area last couple of years.

Westmeath side, not so sure there. Alot of SF candidates including the ex guy Hogan.

The posters seem to have been airbrushed by 8 year olds

Subcomandante Marcos · 29-04-2019 10:50am

Of all the people I've been doorsteps by the only ones who could actually explain why they were running and what they hoped to do during their term were Padraig Heggarty and Fiona Lynam.

For that reason they'll get my 1 & 2. Not sure the order yet.

Boxer junior is as dull as ditch water. Couldn't explain anything about his manifesto or plan, kept mentioning how having a minister as an ally
(his dad) wass huge for the town, when I said surely he'd be an ally to the council anyway he was all of course yeah obviously, but still like if have better access. That's a no young man.

pawrick · 29-04-2019 4:58pm

I'm on the Ros side, I'm not inspired by any I've met so far. Between fighting to get the army HQ back?!? em that's in Westmeath + way above the pay grade of a Councillor to have any say. to people that are "pro business" and full of "new ideas". Same old clap trap from family dynasties or former FF hacks. What I really want to know from a county Councillor is can you fix the potholes or not??? /s

Sunny Dayz · 29-04-2019 5:24pm

Is there a link anywhere with a list of who's running and what the districts in Westmeath are?

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 30-04-2019 1:22am

pawrick wrote: »

Between fighting to get the army HQ back?!? em that's in Westmeath

The actual Barracks is in Westmeath but probably 1/2 of the people working in it live in South Roscommon. Any employer in Athlone, regardless of what side of the border it's on, has an impact on the South Ros area.

Re the potholes issue, I know John Keogh seemed to be fairly good with roads issues when I was living in Bealnamullia.

pawrick · 30-04-2019 2:45am

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote: »

The actual Barracks is in Westmeath but probably 1/2 of the people working in it live in South Roscommon. Any employer in Athlone, regardless of what side of the border it's on, has an impact on the South Ros area.

Here was me thinking we were trying to pretend Athlone didn't exist and Monksland was a town in itself. #Monkslandforcitystatus

Joking aside we all realise employment in the town is a cross border issue, however, other than writing strongly worded letters to the Minister for Defence seeking a review there is zero a counciller can do to affect this.

A complete restructuring of the Defence Force divisional command on a national level would be required.The DF can ill afford such a waste of expenditure to reverse the decision at this stage. Perhaps a TD or Minister could pull it off if it came to a swing government needing a vote but would it be in the national/DF interest now the new structure is established? Perhaps the area would be better served being realistic and focusing on increasing overall defence force numbers / improving equipment and facilities for currently serving soldiers rather than fighing for HQ status which is less likely to be sucessful or gain support from other parts of the country who would also potentially gain.

4ensic15 · 30-04-2019 8:13am

pawrick wrote: »

Here was me thinking we were trying to pretend Athlone didn't exist and Monksland was a town in itself. #Monkslandforcitystatus

Joking aside we all realise employment in the town is a cross border issue, however, other than writing strongly worded letters to the Minister for Defence seeking a review there is zero a counciller can do to affect this.

A complete restructuring of the Defence Force divisional command on a national level would be required.The DF can ill afford such a waste of expenditure to reverse the decision at this stage. Perhaps a TD or Minister could pull it off if it came to a swing government needing a vote but would it be in the national/DF interest now the new structure is established? Perhaps the area would be better served being realistic and focusing on increasing overall defence force numbers / improving equipment and facilities for currently serving soldiers rather than fighing for HQ status which is less likely to be sucessful or gain support from other parts of the country who would also potentially gain.

There is no way a Brigade HQ will be put into Athlone again. There was a Command HQ there from the 1940s till the end of the century due to the Second World War and the border problem. A junior minister couldn't save Mullingar barracks, a single TD won't get a HQ into Athlone. Even if an Athlone TD was TAoiseach a HQ would not be put into Athlone. Look forward, not back.

veryangryman · 30-04-2019 2:13pm

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/tech-talk-with-jess-kelly/scoping-tech-scene-athlone?fbclid=IwAR1qBhMobGHpyDcuKG31zY1kKUhUg_wQE27vLMYhILLGu719lt454hb2iug

Good to see the town spotlighted as a tech place.

Still its very Dell-In-Limerick esque. Town would be fecked without them, as would all these support companies. You hear Sidero saying how Ericsson are their "main" customer. Much like the head I use is my "main" head.

Subcomandante Marcos · 30-04-2019 2:16pm

In fairness the difference between Dell in Limerick and the tech (and biomedical) companies in Athlone is huge. Dell was a manufacturing facility and was easily moved for cheap labour, Huawei and Ericsson are both high skilled workspaces that need a constantly supply of talented graduates in specific fields that AiT can provide.

roosterman71 · 30-04-2019 2:40pm

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Huawei and Ericsson are both high skilled workspaces that need a constantly supply of talented graduates in specific fields that AiT can provide.

100% disagree. Both Ericsson and Huawei are SW houses. Any college in the country churns out coding monkeys that would slot into either of these places (moreso Ericsson as the Huawei site is more R&D and has a much less need on grads). Nothing at all in the world for either company to move the entire operation to another site with minimal impact to them

Saint_Mel · 02-05-2019 8:09am

homenotaway wrote: »

Hi all, looking for some advice.

I have Lleylandi trees on the outskirts of Athlone that are badly in need of trimming.

If anyone could recommend someone who could do this for me I would very much appreciate it, thank you.

Try Fiachra Finnegan ... http://midlandfirewood.ie/index.html

homenotaway · 02-05-2019 1:38pm

Saint_Mel wrote: »

Try Fiachra Finnegan ... http://midlandfirewood.ie/index.html

Many thanks for the above, much appreciated

demanufactured · 02-05-2019 1:46pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Thoughts on the local elections? Both sides of the bridge.

Ros side, probably voting in Keogh as he's from Monksland and seems to be fairly active in the area last couple of years.

Westmeath side, not so sure there. Alot of SF candidates including the ex guy Hogan.

The posters seem to have been airbrushed by 8 year olds

The posters should be banned.

veryangryman · 02-05-2019 1:58pm

demanufactured wrote: »

The posters should be banned.

Agree. Other than the environmental and distracting factors, not to mention the state of them, there is also the "oh that's what they look like but where are their policies"

With the Independents especially, i'm like "what do you stand for "

Yes i could ask them but TBH i'm debating not using my vote this time. Yeah i'll deserve whatever gowl i get but at least i'll save myself a drive.

veryangryman · 02-05-2019 2:22pm

The local independent candidate with 3 posters across town, only in it for the craic

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59295420_1162286443956870_3819237081704562688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub4-1.fna&oh=6aa8c8ebd0e0215d53e2fc90069c44d0&oe=5D628F83

demanufactured · 02-05-2019 6:07pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Agree. Other than the environmental and distracting factors, not to mention the state of them, there is also the "oh that's what they look like but where are their policies"

With the Independents especially, i'm like "what do you stand for "

Yes i could ask them but TBH i'm debating not using my vote this time. Yeah i'll deserve whatever gowl i get but at least i'll save myself a drive.

What are the posters actually made from?

Subcomandante Marcos · 02-05-2019 6:53pm

demanufactured wrote: »

What are the posters actually made from?

Cheap non-recyclable plastics usually.

Blanco100 · 02-05-2019 7:25pm

anybody know where you could get some tickets for the drama festival over weekend?

demanufactured · 02-05-2019 9:52pm

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Cheap non-recyclable plastics usually.

Typical,.
They should definitely be banned so....waste of time, most people honestly have no interest in who is running.

topnotch · 02-05-2019 10:05pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

anybody know where you could get some tickets for the drama festival over weekend?

Just click the book now link, some nights are sold out.
http://www.deancrowetheatre.com/dean_event/rte-ireland-drama-festival-2019/

Blanco100 · 08-05-2019 10:40pm

Can anyone make suggestion as to what is best bike shop in town? With biggest choice of new bikes

Subcomandante Marcos · 08-05-2019 10:43pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

Can anyone make suggestion as to what is best bike shop in town? With biggest choice of new bikes

Buckley's or bust.

roosterman71 · 09-05-2019 8:31am

Buckleys is the main place. There's a bike shop out near Jolly Marriner but it looks a small operation. And PlanetX out in Monksland

Zubeneschamali · 09-05-2019 9:30am

roosterman71 wrote: »

There's a bike shop out near Jolly Marriner but it looks a small operation.

Gone now.

veryangryman · 09-05-2019 10:13am

Shame that Dermot and the missus closed DB Cycles. Very good shop and never any issues with them. The queue for Buckleys is huge with the transferred customers.

Buckleys are also good btw

roosterman71 · 09-05-2019 10:17am

veryangryman wrote: »

Buckleys are also good btw

Good in what sense? Go in there without having a clear idea of what you want, what you need and general costs of that, you will get yer pockets emptied.

veryangryman · 09-05-2019 3:07pm

roosterman71 wrote: »

Good in what sense? Go in there without having a clear idea of what you want, what you need and general costs of that, you will get yer pockets emptied.

That's fairly par for course for any shop anywhere.

Blanco100 · 16-05-2019 1:25pm

Hi everyone,

Can anyone advise me on certain areas in Athlone, moving house shortly and would love to know about certain areas,

1) Caislean Riada in Coosan

2) Church Hills Coosan

Can anyone tell me any inside info on these specific areas, are they decent spots etc.. ? Not to sound too snobby but is there any noticeable anti social behaviour etc.?

Thanks a million in advance

Zubeneschamali · 16-05-2019 1:34pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

1) Caislean Riada in Coosan

2) Church Hills Coosan

Can anyone tell me any inside info on these specific areas, are they decent spots etc.. ? Not to sound too snobby but is there any noticeable anti social behaviour etc.?

Both pretty decent, not next door to estates full of savages if that's what you're worried about.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 16-05-2019 10:01pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Can anyone advise me on certain areas in Athlone, moving house shortly and would love to know about certain areas,

1) Caislean Riada in Coosan

2) Church Hills Coosan

Can anyone tell me any inside info on these specific areas, are they decent spots etc.. ? Not to sound too snobby but is there any noticeable anti social behaviour etc.?

Thanks a million in advance

Either area is perfectly fine. Coosan in general would be considered one of the nicest areas of the town.

Blanco100 · 17-05-2019 1:42pm

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote: »

Either area is perfectly fine. Coosan in general would be considered one of the nicest areas of the town.

Thanks very much, was thinking the same.

Both look like nice estates, was just wondering if anyone had any insight

cena · 18-05-2019 4:30pm

I see some work on coppers today. Was it sold?

Steven81 · 18-05-2019 6:05pm

cena wrote: »

I see some work on coppers today. Was it sold?

Also if anyone has any info on the Palace Bar, looked like a bit of work done on the inside. The old Texas/ Tescos i thought was going to get a new tenant but apart from car park opening for a while seems idle. Anyone any news on these?

cena · 18-05-2019 10:29pm

Steven81 wrote: »

Also if anyone has any info on the Palace Bar, looked like a bit of work done on the inside. The old Texas/ Tescos i thought was going to get a new tenant but apart from car park opening for a while seems idle. Anyone any news on these?

Palace bar has no furniture and curtains in. Walked pass it today

boredatwork82 · 19-05-2019 7:07am

Steven81 wrote: »

cena wrote: »

I see some work on coppers today. Was it sold?

Also if anyone has any info on the Palace Bar, looked like a bit of work done on the inside. The old Texas/ Tescos i thought was going to get a new tenant but apart from car park opening for a while seems idle. Anyone any news on these?

What I had heard, and this is all just rumour is that the palace is been turned into a hostel and bar, and someone suggested they need planning permission for change of use.

On the old shopping centre (quinnsworth, texas centre, whatever) , in the westmeath independent there was an article saying an Iceland and a sports world were going in.

charlieIRL · 19-05-2019 10:47am

“Apparently” the residents of the apartments beside the palace have put in some kind of objection to the late bar, it’s been ready to open for weeks.

Coppers was bought by the owners of a hotel in Roscommon, name escapes me just now, and is being done up again

Haven’t heard anything about old Texas site in ages.

flazio · 19-05-2019 3:31pm

Is the Polish shop at the front still going?

White lighting · 20-05-2019 3:17pm

charlieIRL wrote: »

“Apparently” the residents of the apartments beside the palace have put in some kind of objection to the late bar, it’s been ready to open for weeks.

Coppers was bought by the owners of a hotel in Roscommon, name escapes me just now, and is being done up again

Haven’t heard anything about old Texas site in ages.

O'Gara's from Roscommon are opening Coppers up again.
Palace as said above are ready to open but are struggling to get late bar license

veryangryman · 20-05-2019 11:13pm

White lighting wrote: »

O'Gara's from Roscommon are opening Coppers up again.
Palace as said above are ready to open but are struggling to get late bar license

Youd wonder is there demand for the late night buck. Piano and karma dont fill outside Saturdays and major events.

I guess Palace would take on those in left bank wanting to continue night without crossing bridge

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 20-05-2019 11:33pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Youd wonder is there demand for the late night buck. Piano and karma dont fill outside Saturdays and major events.

I guess Palace would take on those in left bank wanting to continue night without crossing bridge

The place used to be rammed back in the day but the target audience was a lot younger. Depending on the demographic they aim it towards, I think it could do all right. When you look at the crowds The Castle Inn, Sean's and The Snug get, you'd imagine The Palace might attract some of the older crowd who can't be bothered crossing the bridge for a nightclub but want a few late drinks. Personally, I'd rather a late bar now than going queuing for Karma and paying 12 euro or whatever they're charging. I can't be arsed with that anymore. Is there space for another late bar alongside the Piano Bar?

veryangryman · 21-05-2019 2:22pm

Any thoughts on the improved bus service now that its going 2 years or so.

Decent frequencies but you don't really see the numbers on them just yet. Very little incentive to abandon the car in favour of them with the speed or getting into town. As we don't do bus lanes, the traffic kills it.

Subcomandante Marcos · 21-05-2019 2:38pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Any thoughts on the improved bus service now that its going 2 years or so.

Decent frequencies but you don't really see the numbers on them just yet. Very little incentive to abandon the car in favour of them with the speed or getting into town. As we don't do bus lanes, the traffic kills it.

the TFI app is useless. Stop near me will have busses listed every 10 minutes when it's supposed to be a bus every hour, on top of that busses will often be so late it's almost like they're early for the next service. Route and tables haven't been adjusted to account for the new trafic management plan in town.

veryangryman · 21-05-2019 3:20pm

I guess that the timetable only adjusts once per year normally. And it's likely that they have to check the new traffic patterns for what is realistic to put on timetables.

That said, it's Bus Eireann. Never managed an airport journey with them that didn't have me running for the gate due to lateness.

carq · 27-05-2019 10:28am

So Athlone will be going from having 1 late bar to 4 ?

Piano bar
The venue
new coppers
New palace

veryangryman · 04-06-2019 1:27pm

Doctors in town are not taking on new patients at the moment. Have looked at Newtown, Monksland and O Mearas.

Bonavalley Medical Centre's closing has left a huge gap in the market. Surprised that nobody has jumped on it yet.

4ensic15 · 04-06-2019 10:59pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Doctors in town are not taking on new patients at the moment. Have looked at Newtown, Monksland and O Mearas.

Bonavalley Medical Centre's closing has left a huge gap in the market. Surprised that nobody has jumped on it yet.

It has happened all over Ireland. There are not enough GPS trained and willing to take a practice on. Some country areas have no GP at all.

Saint_Mel · 05-06-2019 7:19am

veryangryman wrote: »

Doctors in town are not taking on new patients at the moment. Have looked at Newtown, Monksland and O Mearas.

Bonavalley Medical Centre's closing has left a huge gap in the market. Surprised that nobody has jumped on it yet.

It's nothing new ... I tried to make an appointment with a doc in Monksland last year and was told they were not taking on new patients!

Often wondered what would happen though if you just landed in to them as part of a walk in clinic. Would they refuse to see you?

veryangryman · 06-06-2019 10:34am

Saint_Mel wrote: »

It's nothing new ... I tried to make an appointment with a doc in Monksland last year and was told they were not taking on new patients!

Often wondered what would happen though if you just landed in to them as part of a walk in clinic. Would they refuse to see you?

They would see you but likely refer you then to A&E. Which is sh1t3 because you then have to wait on doctors in hospital to authorise anything as you dont have a regular GP

Athlone thread

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