ALL THE PARADES
COUNTDOWN TO THE ST PATRICK’ S DAY PARA DES
Fethard-on-Sea
FETHARD- ON-SEA’s St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Saturday, March 17, at 1.45 p.m. Crowds will be gathering from around 1 p.m. for music and entertainment on the street which will begin at around 1.15 p.m. when sweets will be handed out. The Grand Marshal of the parade will be members of St Mogue’s Feile football and hurling all-Ireland winning teams.
Having been revived in 2014 after a 30-year hiatus, the parade has become an important fixture on the social calendar of the village and surrounding areas every March.
Featuring players from St Mogue’s GAA club boys’ and girls’ teams and members of numerous other local organisations, it promises to be a great occasion.
There will be a prize for best float. Last year there were 17 floats with lots of tractors and vintage cars bringing colour and excitement to the village. The parade is due to arrive in the village for 2 p.m. and finished by 2.30 p.m.
Float entry forms are available from Dillon’s Londis in Fethard-on-Sea. For enquiries contact Lorraine O’Leary or Irene O’Leary.
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 has been given the honour of being grand marshal in this year’s parade which will also feature GAA clubs, local schools and organisations.
Graiguenamanagh
GRAIGUENAMANAGH’s own celebrity chef Edward Hayden will act as master of ceremonies this year at the St Patrick’s Day parade in the town again this year.
The parade, which will be a spectactle of colour and activity, starts from the Borris Road at midday. The review stand will be located in the Fair Green.
All floats taking part are asked to please assemble no later than 11.30 a.m. on the Borris Road.
All walking groups with the exception of the marching bands are asked to please assemble no later than 11.30 a.m. on the Fairgreen.
Parking will be available until after the parade at the Fairgreen. People are asked not to park in Avonmore which is being used for walkers and gates will close at 1 p.m.
The Graiguenamanagh Brass Band will be performing at the reviewing stand in the square in front of Doran’s SuperValu. Everyone can be assured a great afternoon of entertainment.
For anyone taking part in the parade, either walking group or a float, can register by contacting Thérèse at 087 2756009 or Shane at 083 1772667.
Carrig-on-Bannow
THE COUNTDOWN to the St Patrick’s Day parade in Carrig-on-Bannow has begun and the organising committee is busy finalising the details of the popular event.
This is the ninth year of the parade and the interest each year has grown, both in terms of participants and spectators. Last year, more than 30 groups and several individuals competed for the various awards and the committee believes the well-founded rumours that the recent snow days have proved to be a blessing in disguise for those preparing their offerings for this year.
The parade is very dependent on community involvement and thrives because of the local groups, businesses and even groups of friends and families who participate.
The parade starts at 2 p.m. and goes from the school field, through the village to the Corach Rovers pitch before looping back along the same route to its starting point. In addition to this, a number of other guests will help to entertain the crowd and ensure that the atmosphere is great.
There is no charge to enter the parade but the committee appreciates the support given by the local community and businesses in terms of sponsorship and support for their raffle. This money, they say, allows them to keep the parade going every year, aiming to provide a family friendly event, suitable for all in the local area, with all welcome to take part.
Car parks are available at either end of the village on the day, and spectators are reminded that the road through the village will be closed from 1.30 p.m. until after the parade has completely finished. The committee is encouraging people to come early and heed the directions of the stewards on the day.
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.
New Ross
BRIAN MACMAHON has been announced as the grand marshal for this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in New Ross.
Mr MacMahon, who was a primary school teacher and principal in the town for over 40 years, was given the honour by the parade committee. He said: ‘I am deeply honoured to have been given this honour. I have been part of the parade since 1975 with the New Ross & District Pipe Band who I will, once again, be marching with this year.’
Mr MacMahon, who is a former winner of the New Ross Standard and New Ross Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year award, will be joined by hundreds of people in what promises to be a great spectacle on Saturday, March 17, at the earlier time of 1 p.m.
The parade is leaving the Irishtown at 1 p.m. sharp and will follow the traditional route to the review stand on the quayside.
People organising groups and floats are asked to please note the time change as everyone will be forming the parade from midday at Good Counsel College for groups, while floats will form in the upper Irishtown.
The New Ross FCA Pipe Band, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, will be performing along with numerous local sporting, voluntary and civic organisations, along with dance groups and much, much more.
Anthony Connick of the organising committee said: ‘We are still looking for assistance with stewarding. Anyone willing to help please call me at 087 2338350 or Ollie at 087 2571841.’