Editorial News and Views April 2009

First Impressions

It is said that in an interview for a job, a person gets only one chance to make a first impression. The same standard can be applied to a tourist’s first impression of a town as s/he approaches it.

In the current recessionary times, tourism will play a vital role in maintaining employment levels. Every city and town will be ‘putting up its best appearance’ to attract visitors and much-needed finance.

How does our unique medieval Athenry fare in relation to making a first impression on potential visitors as they approach the town from Tuam, Craughwell, Monivea and, especially, Galway, which is the principal entry point for tourists?

The latter route is a disaster because of the dirt and chaos of the construction of the N6 motorway. Thankfully, Cllr Peter Feeney has secured finance to improve the Prospect Bridge, which is in a sorry state of disrepair. And there is no doubt that the Prospect ‘roundabout’ would win the Award for the ugliest roundabout in Ireland. It has neither make nor shape with its motorway railing fronting a medieval town wall and steel lamp-standards.

Why are Athenry people so passive and uncaring about this ‘vandalism’ to their town? It should be removed forthwith and replaced with a structure in keeping with its medieval environment. The other three entry roads need a complete makeover as regards walls, overgrown shrubbery, tree planting and signage. It would take small money to bring about a big change in these important areas.

The local Parish FÁS scheme has done and continues to do good work on the road walls. Also, Athenry Tidy Towns Committee is to be complemented for all its trojan work over the years. Visit Mountbellew and enjoy the clean, fresh, colourful and well-maintained approach roads. If it can be done there, why not in Athenry?

The festooning of roadside telephone poles with Advertisement signs does not help the town’s appearance. It cheapens and lowers the tone of medieval Athenry, as well as being a distraction to motorists.

The Bottle Bank at Station Road is a terrible eyesore and, on Monday mornings, is usually overflowing with not only bottles, but cardboards boxes and other rubbish. What a dreadful impression it must make on tourists arriving and departing by train! Surely it is not beyond the wit of those in the local authority to relocate this to a more discreet and appropriate venue.

Athenry has the potential to be a tourism goldmine for local traders. Opportunities abound for development in this regard, but who will have the intelligence to take up the challenge and make it a reality?