New beginnings for St Patrick’s Day Parade

THE scheduled meeting of Castleisland’s St Patrick’s Day Parade ad-hoc committee took place in the River Island Hotel on Thursday night, February 8.

The meeting included valued safety advice from Garda Sergeant John O’Mahony and a welcome increase of members of the public and business people from the town.

It was decided that this year with health and safety and insurance being the priority that all groups and organisations taking part will assemble on the grounds of Castleisland Co-Op Mart.

The move from the traditional Tralee Road starting point means that a number of new safety measures and one-way routes can be put in place.

Creamery Lane / Convent Street will be one-way from Main Street and all participants will head towards the mart grounds this way.

All taking part will proceed to their designated starting point which will be clearly laid out on the mart yard. The starting point will be the road leading from the mart on to the old library where the parade will turn left and head down Main St.

The parade will go through the town and around JK O’Connors and the Back of the Forge and head up to the top of the town to the old library and finish back at the mart yard. Church Street and Barrack Street will be one way and traffic coming from Scartaglen will turn left at Garvey’s SuperValu.

The ‘gig-rig’ will be located in front of Tom Mc Carthy’s Bar.

The committee has asked all bars and clubs in the area to provide at least three stewards. Over 30 volunteers will be needed to ensure a safe, successful and accident free couple of hours.

As the parade is increasing in numbers with each passing year, the co operation of the public is essential and support is earnestly requested.

All intending participants are asked to be at the starting point by the latest time of 12:30pm. on the day . All stewards are asked to contact Ted Kenny, at 087 28 42 899 along with your contact number as soon as possible.

Another meeting will be held in two weeks time and this will also be open to the public on Thursday night, March 1, at the River Island Hotel.

Photo by John Reidy The huge expanse of the Castleisland Co-Op Mart Yard has been put at the disposal of the community for the start and finish of next month’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.