The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Rathmore gets the jump on St Patrick’s Day
THERE are few towns in Ireland, not to mind Kerry, that have the honour that Rathmore has every year for St Patrick’s day.
The town is the first town in Kerry and the first in the country every year to host Ireland’s first St Patrick’s day parade.
This year Rathmore St Patrick’s day festivities will take place on Sunday, March 11 – almost a week before the official celebrations take place.
This is the eight year of the Rathmore parade and this year’s theme is a celebration of “The Mammy”.
Local organisations and community groups are asked to come up with their own unique float to celebrate Irish mammies and Kerry mammies.
Grand Marshall for the parade is Kerry Rose, Breda O’Mahony, who grew up in Rathmore before moving to Gneeveguilla.
The parade will take place at 2pm on Sunday and there will be prizes not only for the best overall float. Winners of this will receive the Frank Buckley Memorial cup.
There will also be prizes for the best window display, best commercial float and best dressed buggy and pram as well as the best dressed pet.
Street entertainment and live music will also form part of the day’s festivities with music by Tri Cheile before and after the parade.