Rotary Club of Athlone is hosting its third annual concert in aid of the Athlone Special Olympics Club on Friday September 8th, 2017 in the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone. The show is directed by our own local Baritone, Darren O’Hara and all proceeds will go to sending the Athlone Area record twelve qualified athletes to next year’s National Summer Games. The Athlone Special Olympics Club is a registered 100% volunteer charity and work tirelessly in the Spirit of the Olympics to bring great joy into the lives of these special members of our community. The cost of having an athlete attend the games is a modest 460 Euros and we are confident our concert night will reach the goal to sponsor the costs of the entire team.
Joanne O’Connor, President of The Rotary Club of Athlone says the show promises to be the best concert yet and is a must for all. “Whether a lady’s night out, a family affair or a business knees up, there is something for everyone”, she says. The Concert also has the goal of showcasing emerging Midlands Musical talent and helping these young people meet their goals of becoming full-time professionals. 
Joanne continues to say that it is fantastic to see so much local and national talent performing on our stages and that so many are willing to give of their talent and time for such a worthy cause is uplifting. Tickets are affordably priced at €20 each with packages available to corporates. The Radisson Hotel is also offering a very attractive 3 course Meal/Ticket deal for only €45.
Darren O’Hara is delighted to return for The Rotary Club of Athlone annual gala concert for his third year. He is bursting with enthusiasm when he says that “the neon lights of Broadway may be shining tonight in New York but on September 8th its legendary hits will take centre stage at The Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone in, A BROADWAY CABARET. The audience will be treated to an extravaganza of singing, dancing and glamour. Everything that makes a spectacular Theatre night will be on show on the September 8th in Aid of The Athlone Special Olympics’. Be enchanted by the classic musical hits of Phantom of the Opera, les Misérables, South Pacific, fall in love with romantic melodies from The Lion King, Evita, Once, Moana and feel elated by high energy dances sequences from Dirty Dancing, Jersey boys & Fame to name but a few.
Darren gives full complement to his cast when he says that “the show may be a director’s vision but it’s the talent on stage that makes that vision astonishing! I am so fortunate to be able to work with the cream of the musical crop this year” Darren is delighted to welcome his good friend and former West end dancer, Aishling Fennell as the shows Choreographer. 
Patricia Cleary, Chairperson of the Athlone Special Olympics Club says the Club was founded in 2004, as a direct result of Ireland’s great success in hosting the Special Olympics World Games in 2003. At the time, these games captured the imagination of the entire country and continue to do so.
The club has continued to grow since its formation which is largely due to the dedication & commitment of a wonderful team of volunteers. The Club offers a fantastic sporting & social outlet for all its members.
The club has 43 athletes, who participate and compete in a broad range of sports such as Swimming, Basketball, Floor-ball, Football, Athletics, Golf, and Bowling.
Club Athletes have competed in all the National Finals, 2006, 2010, 2014, bringing home Gold, Silver and Bronze on all occasions. Two of the Basketball Athletes represented Ireland at the 2011 World Games in Athens bringing home Bronze medals.

Another Athlete competed in the 2014 European Games in Germany in athletics bringing home Silver and Bronze.

Thomas Mulligan