Bray gearing up for St Patrick’s Festival
THIS year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Bray looks set to be the best yet.
The Bray St Patrick’s Festival and Parade is one of the largest such St Patrick’s festivals on the east coast with Bray quickly getting a reputation as a destination to help celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick.
In the past three years, there have been over 100,000 visitors to the town alone during the festival and the annual Bray Festival and Parade has gone from strength to strength.
Bray has a really strong community spirit and the Bray Parade really highlights this.
The voluntary planning team is busy putting the final touches to the parade and arts, youth, sporting and community groups across Bray are being invited to begin their preparations for the annual event and take part in one of the largest celebrations of the national holiday in the county.
Chairman Mick Glynn said: ‘We are urging all the community groups to participate in the parade and help make it a success, creating a real sense of pride in Bray and a great display to welcome the thousands of visitors to our town.
‘So, let’s make the Bray Parade the most memorable yet.’
Groups can register to be part of the event at www.bray.ie/part-st-patricksbray-parade.
The festival will start the weekend of March 10 and 11 and run until Monday, March 19.
Planned events include live music in locations around the town, the annual Spring Funfair on Bray Seafront, a vintage car display and a family funday with lessons in Irish dancing, a ceili, more live music, face painting and lots more.
This year’s parade will take place at 3 p.m. on St Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 17, running from the Town Hall, down the main street, Quinnsboro Road, Seymour road onto the strand and will finish at the reviewing stand just before Sealife.
Promoted by Bray and District Chamber, the parade is supported by Bray Municipal District and Bird’s FunFair.
This year’s St Patrick’s Festival is about celebrating the best of Bray.
President Pat O’Suilleabhain said: ‘Every year the number of visitors coming to Bray increases and as a town we want to put on a great show for them. The success of the parade is down to the contributions made by the local community groups, without whom it would not be possible but everyone can get involved.’
The committee is looking for volun- teers from the local business community to help on this year’s St. Patrick’s Parade. Registration details can be found at www.bray.ie/volunteers-st-patricks-parade-2018.
For more information check out www. braychamber.ie or www.bray.ie. SHANKILL Tennis Club is holding an open day on Sunday, March 11 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Come and get to know your local tennis club at this family event. There will be fun activities for all ages and no prior experience needed. For more information contact 01 2825400 or membershipsecretary@shankilltennisclub.com.