Athy to feature on RTE's Nationwide Programme tonight as local man discusses idea behind the 'Made in Athy' plaques

Main picture: RTE'S Mary Fanning with Patricia Berry and Colm Walsh in upcoming nationwide episode. Pic Peader Doogue  RTE's Nationwide programme tonight at 7pm visits Athy with a report by Mary Fanning on the Made of Athy plaque project that commemorates the town's famous music and entertainment connections. Made of Athy is the brainchild of local man , Colm Walsh, who contacted singers, writers and entertainers like Johnny Marr , guitarist with the Smiths, Mani from Stone Roses and many other celebrities who came to the town to unveil plagues celebrating their roots with the town. The feature report also follows Johnny Cash's grandson, Thomas Gabriel 's visit to the Dreamland Ballroom where he performed 55 years to the date his grandfather played there. He also unveiled a plague at the venue to mark his grandpa's concert. Local amateur photographer, Peadar Doogue brings Nationwide back to the that time when he was a young lad in 1963 and tells Mary Fanning his memories of that night along with Billy Gilltrap. TV producer Bill Hughes is another celebrity on the walls of fame around Athy and Colm Walsh recounts the day he came to town along with U2's Larry Mullen and Panti Bliss. Colm unfolds some gems about the stars revealing that Johnny Marr and Mani come from a housing estate in Athy , five doors apart and both now say they will be regular visitors to Athy for their holidays. It is a tremendous project and Kildare County Council's community officer Patricia Berry speaks of the economic benefits to the town from having  these famous names visiting and has added to the tourism aspect of the area. She also praises local band, Picture This, when they 'made a few bob' and donated money to their local soccer club. Make sure to tune in tonight to RTE's Nationwide at 7pm on RTE 1 to see what Athy town has to offer. [caption id="attachment_274753" align="alignnone" width="200"] Johnny Marr , guitarist with the Smiths, was in attendance when a plaque was unveiled in his honour in Athy. Pic. Peader Doogue[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_274754" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Smiths guitarist Johnny Maher is pictured with Mani from the Stone Roses. Pic. Peader Doogue[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_274751" align="alignnone" width="300"] LGBT activist Rory O'Neill aka Panti Bliss. Pic: Peader Doogue[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_274752" align="alignnone" width="300"] TV producer Bill Hughes 
Pic. Peader Doogue[/caption]