Prominent businessman leads Mitchelstown parade

Describing Michael Horgan as a staunch Mitchelstown man is no exaggeration. Addressing the large crowd who assembled opposite the reviewing stand in the town last Sunday for the annual parade, he underlined these credentials.

"I'm a very proud Mitchelstown man and it's a very special honour for me to be selected as grand marshal for this year's St Patrick's

Day parade. I've a long association with the town, which I believe is a great place to live and work. I'm delighted the parade has gone so well and great credit is due to all concerned," he said.

Held on a fine spring afternoon, the parade attracted entries from the the worlds of sport, culture and commerce. The aforementioned grand marshal led from the front in style, courtesy of a horse drawn carriage, supplied and driven by John McMahon. Indeed, the sylish carriage and the Irish Draught horse pulling it, came in for great praise. Music was supplied by the James Fitzgerald Brass & Reed Band, who looked and sounded splendid.

MOTORS APLENTY

In addition to those marching behind the horse drawn carriage, there was a great variety of tractors, cars and motorcycles. Mitchelstown Fire Brigade, who do such oustanding work 356 days of the year, also took part in the parade. Participants received generous applause from the very large crowd who lined both sides of Upper and Lower Cork Street.

The youngest member of the crowd we encountered was 1-yearold Aria Fletcher, while the most senior citizen we chatted with on the day was the always sprightly, 95-year-old John McNamara, from Labbamologga.

WORDS OF THANKS FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Chairman of the Mitchelstown St Patrick's Day Parade committee, Michael White, thanked everyone who helped make the event such a success. He made a special point of thanking members of An Garda Siochana for their assistance. Following the parade, a variety of prizes were presented by organising committee members, Joan Sweeney and Kitty Boland. Formalities concluded with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann.

A combination of fine weather, a very large crowd and the goodwill of so many community groups, made this year's parade in Mitchelstown a resounding success.

Ahern) (Pic: John Margaret Anne and Kathleen Fitzgerald, from Anglesboro, who grow their own shamrock, were in Mitchelstown for last Sunday’s parade.

(Pic: John Ahern) JOHN STILL GOING STRONG: 95-year-old John McNamara, from Labbamologga, had a great view of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mitchelstown.

(Pic: John Ahern) Dean Wells, from Ballindangan and his daughter, Ellie May, looking the part for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Mitchelstown.

(Pic: John Ahern) L-r: Aoibhinn, Catriona and Clodagh Kiely, who were very impressed by the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mitchelstown.

(Pic: John Ahern) Nora Masterson, from Kilworth, who met Anne and William Lane, from Kildorrery, at last Sunday’s parade in Mitchelstown.

(Pic: John Ahern) Grand marshal of the Mitchelstown St. Patrick’s Day parade, Michael Horgan, pictured with carriage driver, John McMahon.

(Pic: John Ahern) Carmel Frewen and her friend, Vera Maher, who were in Mitchelstown last Sunday for the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

(Pic: John Ahern) Father and son team, Kevin and Darragh Kearney, from Kilbehenny, who took part in Mitchelstown’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

(Pic: John Ahern) Julia and Jessica Kucaba, who were all smiles at the very successful parade in Mitchelstown last Sunday.

(Pic: John Ahern) Stephen and Zoe Finn, who had a great time at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mitchelstown on Sunday.

(Pic: John Ahern) Well known local man, Patrick Manning, marched in Mitchelstown’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

(Pic: John Ahern) Fred and Breda Dollion, supporting the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mitchelstown.