Disappointment as Parade cancelled due to Coronavirus crisis

WELL it is not a surprise and a move that most anticipated that a ban would be placed on Saint Patrick’s Day parades this year with the growing apprehension over the spread of the Coronavirus in the country and the consequences for the health of the population as well as the economy.

Nevertheless it is a disappointment that for the second time in four years the village’s parade will not take place through unforeseen and tragic circumstances.

The village was plunged into deep mourning in March 2017 with the air rescue catastrophe off the Mayo coast, claiming four lives, with local man Captain Mark Duffy among them.

A spokesman for the local Tourism and Development Group confirmed the parade would not proceed in the light of the nationwide cancellation of the traditional celebrations.

Connect Credit Union - the umbrella under which the local credit now operates was to sponsor again this year the local Saint Patricks

Day Parade.

The newly merged Credit Union in Blackrock have come on board again to support one of the biggest events in the village to help cover the costs of the massively popular event.

Afternoon tea event

The Haggardstown and Dublin Road Community Alert Group has released further details of their upcoming afternoon tea event and fund raising activities.

The afternoon tea will take place on Sunday, April 19 at Stephenstown Pond, and will be limited to 80 with tickets to be available shortly.

Those attending will be taken by bus to and from the venue, being picked up at the Geraldines clubrooms at 2.30pm. The event will run from 3 to 6pm, and a raffle and bingo will be incorporated into the entertainment and possibly a DVD presentation