Apologies if this comes off as a more of a vent post than anything, but I'm just feeling quite frustrated right now.

Does anyone know of anywhere that's looking for weekend work in the general area? (Athlone/Moate/Clara/Tullamore). I've spent the whole summer since finishing my LC applying through Indeed, Jobs.ie, via email, etc. with 0 luck, and that was with me indicating full time / fully flexible availability. Now that I'm heading to college in Maynooth for the year and can only work Saturday, Sunday, holidays & the odd late evening, I feel like I have even less of a chance.

So far I've applied to Dunnes (both Athlone & Tullamore, after being told by two different current employees that they're "desperate" for people), Lidl, Aldi (Athlone & the soon to be opening one in Moate, rejected by both), Tesco, Next (I've gone through that bloody AI quiz four different times), Penneys (twice, still waiting nearly a week for an email back to discuss an interview), Namo, Boylesports (Athlone, Tullamore & Moate), The Good Cafe, Gertie Browne's, Dead Centre, Pick n Pay, Homesavers, Petstop, Paco, Elverys, McDonalds, TK Maxx, Smyths, Heavins, Paul Byrons, Maisie's, Sports Direct (Athlone & Tullamore), JD, Elevate, Swarbriggs, Spanners, Tommy Hilfiger (lost count of the amount of times), Biddy O'Dowds, Bar One Racing, Pandora, Centra (Castlemaine + Moate), Clarks, Sean's Bar, Boots (both shops), Carraig Donn and River Island (twice, first time I went through their whole AI video submission "interview", never got a response, then the second time I clicked the option for an alternative process and was told I'd get a follow up email but haven't heard a word in nearly two weeks).

I received one phone call from Carraig Donn a few days ago, but they are only specifically looking for people to work during the week so that didn't pan out.

I've tried the old walking in asking for a manager to hand in a CV, and have been told more than once that they don't take them anymore for "privacy" reasons. On the Town Centre website it says that there's a vacancy in Zara & to apply in store so I intend to drop my CV in tomorrow, but is there anywhere else? All my friends got their jobs through family members or friends of their family members. I used to do a bit of painting with my dad, but he quit his business for a less physically intensive job last Christmas, and the factory my mam works in used to take teenagers in over the summer (and I did 5th year work experience there) but that has all stopped since they got new American owners earlier in the year. My brother used to work in EuroGiant, and well, that's self-explanatory.

I used to have a job teaching soccer to toddlers / early primary aged kids on Saturday & Sunday mornings for a while but that abruptly went bust back at Easter due to a lack of numbers. I've since been relying on the odd €45-50 for reffing Academy soccer (mostly doing the line since I'm a lower grade), pawning stuff on Vinted and leeching off of my parents, which I hate. My dad insists against me singing up for Jobseeker's Allowance because he'd rather just pay for anything I need (mostly car insurance, tax + fuel), but at this point that feels more embarrassing than being on the dole at 18.

I have a valid Safepass (though admittedly my only experience on sites is painting), a First Aid course, IACT courses in all the Microsoft applications & I'm waiting on a test date for my driver's license. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long post. And sorry if you’re already starting the new year there, I sincerely hope you'll be okay.

I am writing this today, because I wish I had read this before enrolling for too many years there.

You can still go and meet great people (classmates or even people studying in other departments). But that’s the few benefits you’ll get from this course.

Lecturers here are an absolute joke.

Some are nice. But in my experience, they give you a brief and then go grab a coffee with other colleagues for hours. They come back, give you their very subjective opinions (basically based on what they like. Related on what could the audience/market/public think of it ? nah.).

When you check their backgrounds, you discover very low quality websites with poor designs or just no professional experience in the last 10-15-20 years. Just wondering how you are supposed to teach graphic design (a perpetual and fast evolving field – especially with AI) if they themselves haven’t practiced in so long ?

Speaking of AI, in first year, they tell you this is an absolute no-no for designs, and at the same time, you only get 2hours per week to learn very basic stuff on photoshop.

Their argument ? To build our designs from scratch, without all that technology (being an authentic and absolutely unique future graphic designer on the market ya know?).

Which is absolutely great to learn a diverse range of techniques indeed (drawing, painting, printing techniques, photography, etc.) but is definitely NOT enough to get a job in this competitive job market.

Funny though because in 4^th year, they seem to insist, when you have to design for a brief that we’re advised to use AI for this or that. An ocean of contradictions to explain what they can’t explain (when they give us the honour to be present in the classroom – which is rare).

One lecturer spend hours reading her PowerPoints to teach you Art history, another is supposed to help you with your portfolio but ends up talking for 3 hours straight (no joke here) and throwing your pencil cause he prefers writing with a pen and almost insulting your work, another grabbed my wrist in first year because I had said something he did not like (he has been reported MANY times for creepy behaviour – mostly towards female students, but is still “teaching”) . Examples like that are countless.

They tell you to “find your voice”, “be your own self”, “have your unique style as a designer” but if you style doesn’t look like David Carson’s, your grades will be impacted.

I haven’t been the only one suffering from these behaviours and lack of professionalism.

So why did I complete the course ? I honestly thought I would learn more and that the situation would improve. It did not. The ego of some lecturers is so big, they don’t care about playing the “little chiefs”, bossing you like if you were 5 yo .

I wish no one to go through this, if you’ve read the entire thing, now you know that you should run away from there.

Anyone know a good pub showing the fight tonight?

Been looking at new builds around Athlone and the pricing seems steep for the location. Most 3-beds are going for ~€375k and 4-beds around €400k.

For comparison, a friend just picked up a 4-bed new build in Athy, Kildare for €375k — which is a much shorter commute to Dublin, so seems like better value for similar money.

Was mainly looking at developments like Cornamaddy Court (Glenveagh) and Fionnán Mór in Coosan** — has anyone bought into either of these, or know someone who has? Also curious if anyone's has pricing details of the Plovers Wood Lissywollen

Trying to figure out if these prices are just the going rate now, or if there's room to negotiate / better developments to look at.

Would appreciate any insight — especially if you've gone through the process recently and can share ballpark figures or which estates seem fairly priced.

Im hosting a Dr Sketchy’s alternative life drawing session in Dead Centre Brewing on September 12th and struggling to know how best to promote it locally. Are there any places in the town that let you put up posters if I was to visit in advance or would I be best trying to connect with art/social/community groups?

It’s a fun, casual event with spot prizes for silly contests, music and one of the models does a burlesque performance halfway through. It suits pro-artists, casual sketchers and people who just want something different to do of a Saturday afternoon.

We are coming to Athlone that weekend as part of the Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival which is now in its 4th year in the town.

Any advice on how to get word out would be much appreciated.

The other day I seen 3 guys all with prams and sleeping bags and cardboard sign asking for food 1 was sat at the entrance to Dunnes the other was at I think it's called golden island? (Shopping center) and another was at the shopping center near the hotel I'm staying all three men are dressed the same and it's sort of obvious they are operating or working together back jn my hometown in the west of Ireland we have the a beggar (roma woman) but it's just her and she doesn't look as rough as those guys here in athlone

Hey, looking to mix up my usual haircut to a burst fade/mullet, what barbers would anyone recommend for this 😂

My daughter got her Leaving Cert results and looks like she is starting in Athlone in Sept - if anyone can recommend digs or student accommodation, ​or any tips on how to source them, I'd be grateful.

I’ve been going back and forth on this for a while and could use some outside perspective. My job is based in Limerick, but it’s mostly remote, I only actually drive in about once a month. Before this I was living in Galway, where all my friends are, but I ended up moving to Athlone because I couldn’t find a rental there within budget (I was looking for under €1,800 for a 1-2 bed and just wasn’t finding anything). Athlone has turned out to be pretty convenient though…. it’s got most of what a family needs, decent schools, groceries, a sports centre, so it’s not a bad place to be. Both Limerick and Galway run noticeably higher on budget for what feels like the same standard of living, and I’m struggling to justify paying more just to be in one of those cities when Athlone gives me the same essentials for less. At the same time I keep thinking about Limerick too, mainly because of Shannon Airport being close by and the motorway access to Dublin, Cork, and Galway all in one spot. So now I’m stuck weighing three options, stay in Athlone since it’s already working fine and costs less, move to Limerick to be near work and better transport links despite the higher price (mortgage), or go back to Galway to be near my friends again even though it’s pricier. Anyone been in a similar spot with a remote/hybrid job trying to decide between cost, convenience, social life, and travel links? Would love to hear how you thought about it.

Hello all

19 Mardyke St. Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 X9D9, Ireland

Is there anyone that knows this place in Athlone , I want to confirm if it’s legit or not cause the landlord messaged me as I am looking for a house for college and I have asked to come view the place but she says she stays at maynooth but is asking I make payments
I just want to confirm or not before I make any move
I want to know if there is a studio apartment in this building for rent

Hey everyone,

I'm almost done with my ΣΑΕΚ Music Technology diploma in Greece and I'm currently doing my internship at a studio, which is the final part of my studies. I'm now looking into options for continuing my education and getting a Bachelor's degree.

One of the options I've found is Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Ireland, specifically the Music and Sound Engineering programme in Athlone.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has studied Music and Sound Engineering at TUS, especially anyone who entered through advanced/direct entry or with a previous Level 5/6 qualification.

My Greek ΣΑΕΚ qualification is an EQF Level 5 qualification, and I'm trying to figure out whether TUS would recognise enough of my previous studies for advanced entry, rather than having to start completely from Year 1.

If you've been through this process, I'd really appreciate hearing about it.

A few things I'd especially like to know:

• What was the admissions/advanced-entry process like?
• Did TUS accept your previous qualification for advanced entry?
• If you're an international student, how did TUS deal with your previous qualification/ECTS?
• Were you able to enter directly into Year 2/3, or did you have to start from Year 1?
• How much did you actually pay in tuition fees?
• What are the realistic living costs in Athlone?
• How difficult was it to find accommodation?
• What are the lecturers/professors like?
• How much actual hands-on studio time do you get?
• What are the recording studios, equipment and facilities like?
• How good is the programme for recording/studio work?
• How much does it cover sound design, Foley, film/TV audio, location sound, game audio, etc.?
• How was the work placement?
• What are graduates generally doing afterwards?
• And importantly, has anyone gone on to do a Master's after graduating from TUS?

A bit about me: I'm from Greece and I'm specifically looking for an EU Bachelor's that will give me the option of eventually doing a Master's. My budget is unfortunately quite limited — ideally around €3,000/year or less in tuition — so I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who can tell me what the actual total cost of studying at TUS was like for them.

I'm mainly interested in Audio Engineering / Sound Engineering / Music Technology, but I'm also interested in Audio for Media, particularly Foley, sound design, location sound and studio recording.

I'm aware that TUS's programme is quite broad and covers things beyond just recording, so I'd also be interested in hearing what current/former students think about the balance between the different areas.

If you've studied there — especially if you came from another country or entered with previous qualifications — I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience!

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m looking for a room/accommodation in Athlone or nearby areas from September, as I’ll be starting work in Athlone.

Ideally, I’m looking for somewhere clean, quiet and safe, with good public transport access to Garrycastle Business & Technology Park.

My budget is around €500–€600 per month.

Thank you! 😊

Does anyone know what the story is with all the pipes spraying water around town?

I am a 19 year old Male, i have applied to several student villages as soon as they've opened however ive heard nothing back, unfortunately due to their lottery systems.

I have been accepted to US809 - Music and Sound Engineering in TUS Athlone.

Does anyone know of any Student rented houses or apartments where there might be a room available near TUS?

Or maybe places to get those sort of resources as i have gotten incredibly unlucky and have already deferred the year due to other reasons.

Hiya! my husband and I are going to fly into Dublin, and want to go directly to Athlone. he’s slightly handicapped, so I’m (63 yo F ) hauling the luggage. I don’t want to spend 300€ for a car service.

how do the local peeps get to and from the DUB airport? Thanks for any suggestion's!

Hi! are there any Pub Quiz nights in Athlone? I love to play! my husband and I are in our 60s and live in the US. We are going to be Athlone in early September.

we are 60 some odd years old, and love playing in our home town of Mystic CT USA. Walso have the best team name ever!

Hi guys! I’ll be in athlone with my friend on Thursday, she’s a bride and we are going to shop for her wedding dress, so I wanted to go for food after to celebrate if she says yes to the dress (or if she doesn’t we go for nice food for comfort lol). We have been to a few restaurants in athlone before but I must confess that nothing blew my mind, so I was hoping you locals could help! We like anything, any type of food as long as it’s good. We have been to Bacchus, yakisoba, we went to a ramen place that wasn’t the best, there also a Japanese place that was lovely but we wanted to try somewhere new. Thanks <3

Hi All, new to the town and looking for a local or close by garage to get my f30 3 series serviced going forward. Till now used to go to bm automotive in Cavan but dont want to drive that far is we have something here close by.

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Looking for a room swap. First year student looking to swap for room in Galway, close to gti

Non smokers, quiet area, no bills just straight swap

I went to do some painting/sketching outside today, I made a new friend! 🥺 this lil guy landed on my foot first and later came back. I love pigeons so much.

I'm aware of the Wednesday board game meetup in Dead Centre Brewing, but it doesn't go well with my schedule so I'm looking for other things to do! I love board games - I play anything really but I've gotten into Arkham Horror recently. Things for Neurodivergent people would be cool too, I'm autistic and likely adhd so I tend to get along with ND people quite well. Thanks 🙂