LEADING THE WAY FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Eugene will be Grand Marshal for Wicklow
EUGENE Dooley will lead this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Wicklow town after he was selected as Grand Marshal.
Eugene has lived in Wicklow town for almost 20 years and in that time has become an integral part of the community in business, sports and socially.
Originally from Athy in County Kildare, Eugene was always involved in sports. He played Gaelic football and rugby and represented his school in the Leinster cross country championships.
Moving to Wicklow, he immersed himself in many areas, one of them being GAA. Over the years he has been a prominent sponsor and supporter of County Wicklow GAA and served under Mick O’Dwyer. He has also held important positions, including Chairman of County Wicklow Supporters Club.
Speaking after first hearing he would be Grand Marshal, Mr Dooley said: ‘I would like to thank the St Patrick’s Day parade committee for choosing me for this year’s marshal, I am deeply honoured and humbled and look forward to leading our parade this year with pride.’
In 1999, Eugene and his late wife Kathleen set up Dooley Poynton Auctioneers.
They became popular and active members of the community in the town, with Eugene involved with Wicklow Rotary, Wicklow Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow Town Retailers Group, whilst serving for 14 years on the St Patrick’s Day Parade committee.
Always one to push boundaries, Eugene also initiated a World Record attempt of the largest ever gathering of people dressed up as St Patrick in the one location.
Sadly, Eugene lost his beloved wife and partner Kathleen in 2017. She has left an enormous hole in his life and those that she touched.
He is looking forward to leading the Wicklow town parade with pride and pleasure on March 17 and is very appreciative of the opportunity.
The theme of this year’s parade is ‘Wicklow – Love your planet’. The parade will start at 3.15 p.m. at and finish at Market Square.
THE Leinster Junior League starts this week and members of Wicklow Tennis Team has three talented teams participating, in the under-18 Boys’, under-12 Girls and under-12 Boys’ competitions.
The club has also passed congratulations onto Delwyn Geraghty and the Junior Committee for running a very successful ‘Teenage Tennis and Pizza’ event last Saturday.
Fast 4 Friday Doubles continues this week and entry is via the link sent by email earlier in the week.
This Saturday there will be a session for new and newish members at 10 a.m. This will offer them an opportunity to brush up on some tennis with coach Ashley Wynne and to meet other members, along with representatives of the mentoring committee. There will also be a social for the cardio tennis players after their 9 a.m. session this Saturday.
Social Tennis continues each Monday night at 7.30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings at 9.30 a.m.
For information on membership or other tennis matters, contact club administrator Sinéad Nolan on 085 1156051 or email info@wicklowtennisclub.com.