Musical Society named 'Best Overall' at Fermoy parade

Fermoy’s 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade proved a resounding success, with this year’s being described as the ‘biggest parade ever in Fermoy’.

Around 50 different groups took part, with over 1,400 participants, marching, driving and dancing their way through the town as part of the annual celebrations, led by grand marshal, Stephen O'Leary, gold medallist at the Special Olympics World Games last year.

Thousands of onlookers are estimated to have also flocked to the town, with one of the parade organisers noting that there was a particularly large crowd.

“There was a huge crowd. It was a much bigger crowd watching it this year. According to the guards, the crowd was very deep all the way down the town as far as Cummins Sports,” the spokesperson said.

Seven awards were presented to parade participants, with Fermoy Musical Society claiming the ‘Best Overall’ award. The ‘Best Club’ award went to Starstruck Studios, with Gaelscoil de hIde taking the ‘Educational Award’, Fermoy Concert Band claiming the ‘Youth Award’ and Grange Fermoy Athletic Club taking the ‘Best Original’ award.

Special awards were also presented to Fermoy Tidy Towns, as well as to Aneta Hytros in the vintage category, who drove a colourful Fiat Bambino.

A large number of vintage vehicles were involved in the parade, with several bands performing for the crowds, a cohort of emergency services and a strong representation from clubs, organisations, societies and those marching.

“The organisers are extremely grateful to the gardaí, the municipal council, stewards, supporters and all those who took part. Big congratulations to Stephen O’Leary who did Fermoy proud and gave a wonderful speech,” a spokesperson for the

Grand marshal of the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade, local Stephen O’Leary, presenting a special award to Paul Kavanagh of Fermoy Tidy Towns, in the presence of , l-r: John Murphy, Diarmuid Gowen, PJ O’Leary and Donal Ó Lochlainn.

(Photo: Donal Ó Lochlainn) Fermoy Concert Band, winners of the Youth Award, Jennifer Feeney with her daughters Aoibhín and Kate, accepting the award from John Murphy, chairman of parade committee.

Ó Lochlainn) (Photo: Donal Aneta Hytros and her cute Fiat Bambino, being presented with a special award at the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade by chairman, John Murphy.

(Photo: Donal Ó Lochlainn) Fermoy Musical Society, winners of the Best Overall award at the 2024 parade pictured with grand marshal, Stephen O’Leary.