Mr Tayto bags city parade
ST PATRICK is set to have a new fan at this year’s Dublin parade when Mr Tayto leads the event.
Crisp company Tayto is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and its corporate character will take to the capital for the national parade to mark the milestone.
A spokesperson said: “The national St Patrick’s Day parade is a spectacular global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage.
“This year’s parade, driven by the values of joy, community, diversity, and sustainability, promises to be the most ambitious ever.
“Joining the traditionally extravagant and colourful array of pageants, transitions, marching bands and ceremonials will be Mr Tayto.
“He will appear on his very own Tayto transition. Decorated with 70th celebratory branding, Mr Tayto will be encouraging the nation to get the party started.”
The festival’s chief executive Richard
Tierney said: “As Tayto celebrates its 70th birthday, we are honoured to have Mr
Tayto grace our parade once again.
“St Patrick’s Festival is about celebrating Irish culture and heritage.
“For many families and individuals Tayto was a huge part of their lives growing up and even now.
“Their transition is sure to ignite a spark of nostalgia and joy for our audience.”
Meanwhile, Waterford is set to celebrate oiur patron saint with a four-day festival of free events.
Some people say Irish priest Fr Luke Wadding, from Waterford, is credited as the founder of the modern day St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
A spokesperson for the festival said: “When Fr Wadding was based in Rome in the 1630s he was in charge of creating the official list of saints of the Catholic Church.
“While he was compiling this list, he added the Feast of St Patrick on March 17.
“In celebration of St Patrick’s Waterford connection, a fun-filled, four-day festival will be on offer in the city.”
■■More details on all of Waterford’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations are available on the visitwaterford. com website.