Urban X the cream of the crop

WINNERS of this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade awards gathered at the Town Hall in Bray last Thursday evening to receive their prizes.

The four-day festival included the parade, a walk on Bray Head, a seafront funfair, a concert with local choirs, and an ecumenical blessing of the shamrock. There was also a ceili sponsored by the boatyard, a display of vintage cars, and face-painting and street-theatre.

Rachel Fisher’s Urban X hip hop group took the overall award in this year’s parade.

The Boomerang Band, visiting from the UK, were the winners in the best marching/ uniform category.

Lisa Marie Berry’s Academy of Irish Dancing won best arts and entertainment. The Indonesian Irish Community won the best community award.

Best sports went to Ardmore Rovers and Kilmacanogue CFR won best open.

Bray Chamber President Mick Glynn paid tribute to all those who had helped to make this year’s community celebration weekend such a massive success, including event lead sponsors Birds Funfair and Bray Municipal District, as well as all the members of An Garda Síochana, the Order of Malta, Iarnród Eireann and Dublin Bus, and all stewards and event promotion team members. ‘ The success once again of Bray’s St Patrick’s Festival is due entirely to the huge efforts that were made by everyone, including the parade participants, to ensure that this was a truly magical and colourful celebration of the best of Bray,’ he said.

Kilmacanogue Community First Responders receive the award for Best Open Entry: (from left) Ed Byrne, Laila Byrne, Annmarie Hayes, Jack Gummerson, Cllr Steven Matthews, Holly Gummerson, Jason Minto, Pat Ó Suillebhain and Amy and Mark Reilly.

Cllr Steven Matthews presents the Best Cultural Entry to (back, from left) Maria O’Hagan, Cara Giles, Lisa Marie Berry, (front) Ruby Lewins, Zoe Murray and Amy Green from the Lisa Marie Berry Academy of Irish Dancing.

Rachel Fisher of Urban X Hip Hop accepts the award for Overall Winner from Cllr Steven Matthews and Pat O Suilleabhain, along with Sophie Fitzsimons, Layla Byrne, Felix Comerford, Millie Free, Olivia Best and Aimee Fane.

Joe Walker, chairman Grant Walker and Daniel Walker from Ardmore Rover being presented with the award for Best Sports Entry by Pat Ó Suillebhain, Vice President of Bray Chamber.

Cllr Brendan Thornhill accepts the Best Community Award on behalf of the Indonesian Irish Association from Pat Ó Suillebhain, Vice-President of Bray Chamber.

Fred Bowker from the Boomerang Band accepting the award for Best Marching Band from Pat Ó Suillebhain and Cllr Steven Matthews.