Crunch meeting on future of Gorey’s St Patrick’s Day parade
A PUBLIC meeting will take place on Thursday, November 7, at 8 p.m. in the Loch Garman Arms to decide upon the future of Gorey’s St Patrick’s Day parade.
The meeting was called by Gorey Kilmuckridge District Manager Michael Drea following fears for the parade’s future after a parade committee AGM held in September saw four out of five members step down due to issues with commitments.
Michael Drea said Thursday’s meeting will now decide on the long term future of the parade in Gorey.
‘It is imperative that all interested parties attend and don’t assume others will take up the mantle. In recent weeks I sounded a stark warning for the future of the Gorey St Patrick’s Day Parade if a new committee cannot be put in place.
‘Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District will play its part in providing some administrative, financial and technical support but if a new committee cannot be formed, the parade will not be held in 2020 or beyond,’ he confirmed.
Michael acknowledged the hard work and service of past committee members, but indicated that if a new committee is not formed that this will be a big loss for the area as a whole.
‘The thought of our local parade not proceeding is unconscionable. Undoubtedly those who will lose out most if it doesn’t proceed is the young people within our community,’ he said.
Michael Gleeson was the only member to remain after Sean Halford, Dermot Maguire, Maeve Fitzpatrick and Claire Urquhart all stepped down.
He confirmed that he will be attending the meeting in the hope of finding a new committee with more ideas.
‘There is no longer a committee in place as it’s just me left. It’s time now to form a new committee and start from scratch. I’m hopeful that there will be enthusiastic people at the meeting who want to bring with them new ideas and make a stamp.
‘For the parade to go ahead it needs Council backing, not just five individuals as there can be a lot of red tape involved. Thankfully now with the new district manager Michael holding the meeting, the Council are going to pick up the baton and bring the parade forward,’ he said.
Michael Gleeson has been involved with the parade since 2004 and he said that a lot of friendships have been formed over those 15 years.
‘It’s a great way to get involved in the community and meet new people, particularly if you’re new to the area. It’s just one day of the year so not a huge commitment. You need to arrange volunteers for about four or five hours so it’s really quite simple to give a hand and give something back to the town,’ he said.
Michael said previously that new blood was required, and on a personal level he’d like to remain involved and volunteer on the day but may not take up a role on the committee on Thursday due to his own commitments.
‘I’ve enjoyed my time on the committee and we all became good friends, it was sad to see it go but with restrictions that have come in place, it’s getting harder and harder. Going forward, I’ll help the new committee in any way I can,’ he said.
All will be determined at the public meeting which will be held in the dining room of the Loch Garman Arms on Thursday from 8 p.m.