Community at the heart of Mitchelstown parade
The chair of the St Patrick’s Day parade committee in Mitchelstown, Michael White, has pronounced the 2024 parade as the largest one yet and a ‘fantastic’ day for everyone who was involved.
“The town was mobbed and the sun shone all day. We had 2,000 people I think in the square and lining the main streets in the town and I want to heartily thank everyone who participated, and of course the local community who turned out in their hundreds to join in the fun”.
“Mitchelstown is a great town and the community spirit we saw on Sunday was second-to-none”.
With apologies from Cllrs Noel McCarthy and Frank O’Flynn on their absence from the podium, a minute’s silence was held for the late Paddy Flynn, and condolences were offered to local councillor, Kay Dawson, on the recent passing of her mother.
THANK YOU
Mr White thanked the James Fitzgerald Memorial Band for their wonderful performance and Sergeant Gerry Quinn and his team for the ‘excellent’ work they did in keeping everyone safe. He also thanked Murphy’s Garage for transporting the metal barriers and Liam Spillane for providing the trailer/podium; gratitude was expressed too to Eamonn O’Brien of CCM for the use of the old mart and to Con
O’Brien for storing the trailer. To Jim Roche of Roche’s Cycles, thanks were also expressed for providing the electricity for the podium.
A sincere thanks was offered to the Mitchelstown Business Association for their support, to the impartial judges who adjudicated the window displays, pub interiors and the parade and to TheAvondhu for the publicity given to the annual parade.
PRIZEWINNERS
The following businesses were recognised for their window displays: Chamberlain’s Bakery; Le Visage Beauty Salon; Self-Help Africa; The Favourite and Scullery; Condons; The Avondhu; Broadway Hair Salon; Tim Forde’s; O’Sullivan’s; Ark Flowers and Stack’s Barbers.
For their pub interiors, prizes went to The Ramble Inn, J’s Bar and to An Bodhrán.
In the parade, the Curraghagalla Community Group won a prize for their float (‘D’Hillbillies Barn Dance’) as did a float for Noah Quish.
The groups in the ‘Tots’ category given special recognition were Mulberry Montessori and Scoil Rince na Trí Chontae dance school. In the ‘ Teens’ category it was St Fanahan’s Camogie Club who were singled out, as were Park Utd.
Finally, in the walking groups a special mention was made of the Mitchelstown and Ballygiblin GAA clubs, Mitchelstown Rugby Club, Mitchelstown Golf Club as well as Mitchelstown Musical Society.