Marching with pride in Ballylanders

Ballylanders has a long and distinguished history of staging a St Patrick's Day parade and this tradition continued last Sunday. Officially 'a village', Ballylanders has a lot of 'town' characteristics and despite a constantly changing economic climate, it still boasts a very strong retail and commercial presence. Its voluntary sector is also robust and this was reflected in the composition of Sunday's

parade.

The event was minus a reviewing stand this year, however, this didn't detract from what was a large, lively, colourful and vibrant parade. Shorter in duration than most parades, the event is consistently well supported. MC for the day was prominent community activist and retail assistant, Bridget Fitzgerald. While the sound system wasn't hectic, Bridget's strong voice still got her message across loud and clear. Bridget, who is always well informed when it comes to local and regional news, was able to give those in attendance a comprehensive round up of the All-Ireland hurling final success achieved by Scoil Pól, Kilfinane on the Friday (see elsewhere).

Bridget was also glowing in her praise of one of the most talked about young hurlers in Limerick, Darren Frewen, from Glenroe. While Bridget has been known to lose the run of herself a bit when it comes to the subject of Limerick hurling, independent observers we spoke with, backed up Bridget's opinion, that Darren was ' absolutely outstanding' in the final - a scorer of 4 points.

BUSY BALLYLANDERS

Ballylanders was exceptionally busy before, during and after last Sunday's parade. Many businesses were open and did a roaring trade. The fine weather meant most of the crowd stayed on to chat, catch up and discuss important issues such as 'Limerick hurling'!

WELL DONE

Once again, the progressive village of Ballylanders more than held its own in the St Patrick's Day parade department. Well done to the organising commitee and all those who helped out on the day.

The Ryans, from Garryspillane, who were in Ballylanders last Sunday for the parade, l-r: Áine, Anita, Eugene and Eoghan. (Pic: John Ahern)

(Pic: John Ahern) L-r: Peggy Ryan, Eileen O’Callaghan, Liam O’Callaghan and Jimmy Ryan, who attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ballylanders.

Ahern) (Pic: John SOCIAL MEDIA MAN IN ACTION: Jim Fitzgerald, from Galbally, busy videoing for his online page at last Sunday’s parade in Ballylanders.

(Pic: John RIGHT: Painting contractor, Jason Frewen and Jerry McCarthy, who were at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ballylanders. Ahern)

(Pic: John Ahern) John Higgins, from Knocklong, right, in the company of locals, Eileen and Brendan O’Dwyer, at last Sunday’s parade in Ballylanders.

(Pic: John Ahern) Enjoying the fine weather at last Sunday’s parade in Ballylanders, l-r: Nora Martin, Kathleen Hennessy and Kitty Riordan.

(Pic: John Ahern) Nicole Wheeler and her daughter, Tori Frewen, were in Ballylanders last Sunday for the St. Patrick’s Day parade.