St Patrick’s Day in

Huge turnout for Millstreet parade

FAVOURABLE weather conditions ensured that practically everybody was proudly wearing the green for the late-afternoon parade on Saint Patrick’s Day in Millstreet.

With hundreds lining the pavements, dry but chilly conditions saw patrons button up to enjoy the atmosphere for what was a joint venture organised by a committee drawn from the Millstreet Development Group and Millstreet Community Council. Supplementing the programme was entertainment provided by Millstreet Comhalthas Ceolteoirí Eireann, in addition to face-painting and music in the local hostelries.

However, the parade proved the top attraction, with commercial interests coming together with sporting, voluntary, school and cultural outlets offering diverse viewing, and colourful costumes and floats. Vintage car and tractor displays added enormously to the enjoyment of the proceedings compered by Noel Buckley, chairman of Millstreet Community Council.

Participants from the greater Duhallow and Mid- Cork region broadened the interest, with Millstreet Pipe Band fronting the parade, performing on St Patrick’s Day in Millstreet for the 68th consecutive year. Cullen Pipe Band also participating after a long day of engagements either side of the county bounds.

Reviewing the parade in the town square were the organising committee and Community Council officers in the company of Canon John Fitzgerald; Fr Paddy Byrne; public representatives Michael Moynihan TD, Andrias Moynihan TD, Cllrs Melissa Mullane, Gobnait Moynihan and Gearóid Murphy; in addition to local-election candidates Áine Collins and Eileen Lynch.

Lucey’s Transport took the McSweeney Memorial Trophy for Best Commercial fleet, while the Best Float accolade belonged to Millstreet Parents Association. The Best Culture award went to the Millstreet Set Dancers.

Elsewhere, there were prizes in the Community Group for Millstreet Community Singers; Empire Rock and Roll; and Millstreet Taekwondo.

In the Vintage Class, Millstreet Vintage Club and Michael Fleming took the plaudits, as did Conor O’Flynn in the Best Individual Group.

The Best Window prize was awarded to Pat Randles, Minor Row.

Set dancers thrilled the large crowd of spectators that lined the street in Millstreet last Sunday.

Photos by John Tarrant The Millstreet Pipe Band performed at an early morning recital in Ballydaly on St Patrick’s Day Parade.

A delighted Amanda Lichorobiec was all smiles as she enjoyed the Millstreet St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Members of the extended O’Sullivan family enjoyed St Patrick’s Day in Ballydaly

Members of the Millstreet Taekwondo club who participated in the St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Millstreet Juvenile GAA Club came out in force to support the local St Patrick’s Day parade.

Joe Roche supported the Millstreet St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Mary Buckley, Rathcoole, flying the flag at the Millstreet parade.