Huge crowd out for St Patrick’s Day parade

March 1990

LEPRECHAUNS on bicycles, Zig and Zag, wood-breaking karate experts and baton-twirling majorettes are just a few of the attractions which draw crowds in record numbers to enjoy Dundalk’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Gardaí estimate the crowd at 20,000, a figure not disputed by the organisers.

‘It has to be the biggest parade ever held in

Dundalk,’ a delighted Jimmy Callan says.

‘People just seem to come from everywhere to watch.’

The main organiser reason.

‘It proves what I was trying to emphasise all along, that Dundalk needs a parade on St. Patrick’s Day.

‘Some time ago there was a chance the parade might fall by the wayside, but the support the public shows proves that people are interested is pleased for another in coming out to watch.

‘Even the gardaí are saying that they have never before witnessed a parade attendance as big in town, so there must be something right about it.’

Supt. Frank Murray supervises along with two inspectors and a contingent of officers.

Sixty-five organisations and floats take part, well up on last year’s figure, with many participating for the first time.

There are problems keeping spectators off the roadway, especially at Market Square, but for the most part the event passes without a hitch.

An RTE camera crew is particularly interested in filming the old Merryweather fire engine which was dispatched to Belfast during the war.

Mr Callan says it costs only £500 to stage the parade, despite estimates of ten times that amount.

There is no entry fee for floats which only encourages more groups to take part.

Five bands also play.