Mitchelstown’s grand marshal announced
With just one week to go until the first St Patrick’s Day parade in two long years, the Mitchelstown committee are proud to announce 2022’s grand marshal as the inimitable Liz Downes! This isn’t Liz’s first rodeo, having led the revellers in 2017 too.
This year’s parade commences at 1pm sharp and those taking part will meet at the old mart on George’s Street beforehand. As in previous years, the gang will frollick down Church Street before making their way the whole length of the town, turning up Baldwin St, along George’s Street again, and finishing in New Square.
The main streets will be closed to public traffic from 12.45pm, and motorists will be diverted to the ring road around town.
Following the parade, Mitchelstown’s Lithuanian and Ukrainian residents will be dishing out Borscht (beetroot soup, and Ukrainian national dish) in the square, giving people a chance to meet and chat.
Michael White of the organising committee extended his thanks to locals that have made parades possible in the past, and are continuing to do so this year.
“We’d like to thank each every person for taking part, and would like to welcome everyone interested in joining us again this year to celebrate our wonderful town. We’d especially like to thank the MBA for sponsoring our trophies, and to Sergeant Gerry Quinn and his team for their service on the day.”
Liz Downes is a member of Cork County Council’s Older People’s Council, and her place at the head of the parade is to really make special the place of those people who’ve lived a long life and are now still celebrating, well into their autumn years.
On her announcement of being grand marshal, Liz had the following to say.
“It was such an honour to be invited to attend as grand marshal of Mitchelstown’s St Patrick’s Day parade, on behalf of the older community and Age Friendly in Mitchelstown.
“My presence at the parade will not be just about me - it will be about a wide and varied collective of people who come together and make things happen. There are unsung heroes in every community and I am here today representing every one of those heroes in the Mitchelstown community who have made, and continue to make Mitchelstown a great town to grow older in, by coming together, to listen, to give time, and most importantly by giving a voice to older people about their needs.”
Liz made special note of the local authority’s designation of Mitchelstown as an age-friendly town.
“In 2017 Cork County Council’s Age Friendly County Programme awarded Mitchelstown Community funding towards the task of achieving Age Friendly Status for their town and they were joined by many community volunteer croups and key agencies in the task, including the local Older People’s Council of which I am vicechair.”
“The project was embraced with open arms and the town and its surrounding hinterland now have a great social network and opportunities for lifelong learning with Ballyhoura Development Group, the Social Hub, Active Retirement Group and the The Day Care Centre, to name just a few.”
“Business premises have embraced their older customers with easy access entry and appropriate seating in their shops, footpaths have been dished, and a regular transportation network has been established. Age Friendly car spaces and appropriate seating have been strategically placed in the town by Cork County Council, along with a new pedestrian crossing in the main street. Mitchelstown justifiably prides itself in becoming a great town to grow older in and long may that grow from strength to strength.”