Helicopter tribute wins parade prize

ONE of the highlights of the 2018 Drogheda St Patrick’s Day parade was the replica of the Drogheda Coast Guard helicopter - manufactured in a building on the Ballymakenny Road, thanks to Ken O Heiligh.

Officer in charge Dermot McConnoran and the local members were on hand to accept the best Voluntary and Community entry and were delighted to have been recognised.

‘It took two and a half months to construct and this was through the busiest time in the history of our unit. Annually we usually deal with 50 to 60 incidents but during the building of the helicopter we responded to 30 incidents. One minute we would all be working around Ken the next he would be left standing alone wondering where the hell has everyone gone.

‘Since the parade we have received several inquiries from different parts of the country to display the helicopter at various events.

‘Next year for the first time the Irish Coast Guard have been invited to participate in the St. Patrick’s day parade in Dublin so the helicopter might be making its way down the M1.,’ he stated.

‘I have to thank Ken O Heiligh because without his vision, dedication, determination and workmanship this project would not have happened, and to all the guys in the unit well done. We have been involved in the St. Patrick’s Day parade over the years and during that time we have displayed our rescue boats, vehicles and rescue equipment the one thing we couldn’t display was one of our biggest assets the Rescue Helicopter.

‘As we all woke up on the morning of the 14th March 2017 and learned the terrible news of the tragedy and loss of Rescue 116 and her crew, Dara, Mark, Ciarán and Paul we were all devastated. We hope and pray that Ciarán and Paul’s remain will be recovered.

‘When building this replica that tragedy was never far from our minds and I hope that in some small way it can be seen as a tribute to the crew.’

Frank’s Country Cottage were runners up in the section while Wogan Build won best Commercial with Scholars Hotel, second.

The overall winners were Kid Kast.

The Irish Coast Guards were winners in the Voluntary and Community section of the St patrick’s day parade.

Winners of the Commerical float at the St Patrick’s day parade were Wogans building supplies.

Runners up in the Voluntary and Community section of the parade were Frank’s Country Cottage

Runners up in the Commerical section of the St Patrick’s parade were Scholars.

Winners of the Perpetual trophy at the St Patrick’s day parade wer Kid Kast.