ALL THE PARADES
COUNTDOWN TO THE ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADES
Gorey
THIS YEAR’S St Patrick’s Day Parade in Gorey starts as normal at 3 p.m.
The parade entries will gather beforehand at 2 p.m., at the new staging area on the link road which connects the Carnew Road, Hollyfort Road and Fort Road.
There will be no road closures on the day, but diversions will be in place while the parade is moving down past The Monument, McCurtain Street, Main Street, and dispersing after the review stand on Esmonde Street. The parade will be led by grand marshal Gorey Little Theatre group.
The winners of the prizes will be decided by those on the review stand, and will be given out from the review stand immediately after the parade. Local councillor Malcolm Byrne will be MC.
Categories include best float, best business, best sporting group, best community, best Irish group, and best window display from a local business.
There will be a strong musical presence during this year’s parade. Other entrants include Rugby Club, Hockey Club, Naomh Eanna GAA Club, Camphill Duffcarrig, Cheshire Homes, Ballygarrett GAA Club, Scout Groups, Lavender Farm, K & K Windows, and much more.
The committee are in desperate need of stewards to help at the parade. Contact Sean Halford on 087 6407166 if you can spare a couple of hours.
Carnew
It is the 10th anniversary for Carnew’s annual St Patrick’s Day parade this year, which will set off at 1 p.m.
The organisers are expecting around 50 entries featuring a wide range of participants.
They will be led by grand marshal John Wilkinson, who is a local historian and photographer, and is heavily involved within the community.
Vintage enthusiasts are expected at the parade, as well as Carnew Musical Society, GAA and ladies GAA clubs, Scoil Aodan Naofa, Gap Arts Festival, Carnew Heritage Group, Gorey Pipe Band, Aughrim Pipe Band, Carnew Training and Development Centre float and Samba Drumming Group.
Entrants will gather on the Carnew Road from 12.15 p.m. onwards. The parade will finish at Colaiste Bhride where refreshments will be served and the presentation of prizes will take place.
Categories include best overall float, most topical float, best walking group, most entertaining and best window display.
Parade MCs Kevin McEvoy and Michael Kinsella will provide a running commentary on the day.
Contact Carnew Training and Development Centre on 053 9426555 to volunteer to help on the day.
Coolgreany
MORE THAN 30 entries are expected for Coolgreany’s 10th St Patrick’s Day parade which will kick off at 11.30 a.m.
The entries will begin gathering at 11 a.m. at Lower Street for what promises to be another spectacle of colour and music.
Leading the parade is this year’s grand marshal Molly McDonald, who is one of the oldest residents in Coolgreany. Molly is being recognised for her continued support of various community events in the area.
There will be a variety of local groups adding to the atmosphere including Athletic Club, GAA clubs, Handball Club, Late Bloomers and Ballyflanagan Montessori.
The viewing stand will be located at the top of the village with commentary from John Rush. The judges will be busy choosing the winners of six categories including best overall, walking entry and float.
A fun duck race will follow after wards at the river near Lower Street. Ducks are €3 each. The May Byrne Trust House will be open during the parade for refreshments.
Volunteers are still needed, so get in contact with Imelda McCarthy at 087 131055 or Jack Kelly at 086 8517618.
Bunclody
THIS year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Bunclody take on extra significance as it’s the 30th anniversary of the parade. As a result, this year’s parade will take on a ‘happy birthday’ theme and promises to be as fun and colourful as ever.
While a big loss to the parade this year is the Ballindaggin Pipe Band, who will be flying the flag for Wexford in London, organisers are hopeful that other local musical acts will step into the breach and provide a soundtrack to the day.
This year’s parade is expected to contain over 60 different items, including 20 different walking groups, floats, vintage cars and machinery and community groups. Walking groups are asked to gather at The Mill Race Hotel from 10 a.m. while floats are asked to assemble at Glanbia at 9.30 a.m. The parade will set of at 10.45 a.m. sharp and the blessing of the shamrock will take place at the viewing stand at 11 a.m. Afterwards, it is hoped that people will stick around and enjoy the atmosphere as the kids (big and small!) queue for their green ice cream cones, as is the tradition in Bunclody. It promises to be a great occasion and people are invited to come along and mark 30 years in style! Anyone interested in getting involved, playing music or giving a hand stewarding is asked to contact Barbara Anne Murphy on 087 6736966 or Michael Kehoe on 086 8365265.
Duncannon
EVERY year the coastal village of Duncannon delivers spade loads of fun at its St Patrick’s Day Parade, which is Ireland’s most unique St Patrick’s Day celebration, bringing visitors and locals alike onto the stunning crescent shaped beach.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Duncannon begins at the earlier time of 12 p.m. giving everyone plenty of time to get to the pub or to the comfort of their couch for the Ireland England rugby match.
As per usual the parade starts at the Star of the Sea church, while numerous fun activities for all the family kick off on the beach. Seamus Long and the Deputies will provide musical entertainment on the day and there will be plenty to keep people entertained, including a hurling match on the beach and children’s entertainment.
There is always a great atmosphere in the seaside village on the day, which, for many, is their first visit to a beach in the calendar year.
Local youth Cormac Murphy, who uses a wheelchair, has been given the honour of being grand marshal in this year’s parade which will also feature GAA clubs, local schools and scouts.
Clonroche
PROVING a hit every St Patrick’s Day, the Clonroche parade will once again pass through the village once again in an explosion of green, white and gold to mark our national day. Once again this is a milestone for the parade and organisers are promising one of the biggest in the event’s 10-year history.
The Clonroche parade has become infamous for a bit of humour and there are
sure to be some hilarious and topical floats which will have you in stitches. The parade is being planned by the Clonroche Development Association and they are hoping that they will receive great support from local businesses, sporting organisations and community groups. They are hopeful that there will be even more floats than usual in this year’s parade, some of which a lot of work has gone into. One in particular will have a full thatched cottage on the back promoting the house of stories.
The parade will get under way at approximately 1 p.m. and come right down through the village as normal. Floats and marching groups are asked to assemble at the usual point at Ballymackessy well in advance of the kick off time. For more information, please contact the Clonroche Development Association or visit the association’s Facebook page.
Enniscorthy
DESPITE taking place that bit earlier this year, to accommodate those wishing to catch Ireland’s all important clash with England in the Six Nations, this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade is promising to be as big as ever.
The parade will set off at the earlier time of 1 p.m. this year, moved from the usual time of 3 p.m. Floats and vehicles taking part are asked to assemble at the Promenade at midday and marchers are asked to convene at St Senan’s Church at the same time. The marching parade will set off from the Shannon at 1 p.m. and will follow the usual route. It will be led by members of the Army Reserve Colour Party and the Northfield Caledonia Pipe & Drum band from Birmingham will be in attendance.
Among the groups already confirmed to take part are the United Nations Veterans’ Association; Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen; Athletic, GAA, Rugby, Hockey, Soccer and Boxing Clubs; Ferns Diocesan Youth Service; Scouts, Guides and Brownies; Dancing Schools, Gymnasts and various Floats, vehicles and impressive vintage machines. Floats and Vehicles will join the Parade at Séamus Rafter Bridge after all the marchers pass by and turn left at the Post Office and proceed along the usual route. It is the intention to divert the larger vehicles such as HGVs at Doyle’s Corner on to Nunnery Road in order to relieve traffic congestion in the Market Square where various entertainment will take place from 12.30 p.m.
Once again, due to health and safety regulations, insurance implications and advice from An Garda Síochána, horses and other animals will not be allowed to take part in the parade. The committee wish to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and support and are looking forward to what promises to be another great St Patrick’s Day in Enniscorthy.