St Patrick's Day parades in North Tipperary
Preparations for this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations are underway in North Tipperary and local communities are being encouraged to get involved.
As announced in this week's Guardian, Cllr Hughie McGrath along with the Nenagh parade committee are appealing for volunteers to take place in this year's event in Nenagh. The committee are now inviting entries and are encouraging applicants to let their creativity flow in order to impress an audience of approximately 4,000 people! A large turnout is expected and so the committee would like to showcase Nenagh at its best on the day!
Approximately 75 entries took part in last year's parade, representing an array of interests including music, dance, art, motors, sports and many, many more. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Nenagh Municipal District Council website at http://www.tipperarycoco.ie or by contacting Cllr McGrath on 087-2559323. So get your thinking caps on and make your display a part of one of Nenagh's biggest events of the year!
The parade will take place on Thursday March 17th at 2pm and will feature a variety of local talent and businesses. An entertaining mix of marching bands, vintage motors and floats will be parading through the streets along with entries from both Nenagh and its surrounding areas. Families should also watch out for the street performers and face-painting, the art displays and of course, not to forget the after party at Teach an Léinn!
Looking only its absolute best on the day, Nenagh, will be embellished with flags and bunting, and shopkeepers are again encouraged to have their premises looking just as festive and colourful this time round as they have been in the past number of years. Presenting a variation of fun activites for all of the family, the Nenagh St Patrick's Day Parade is one not to be missed!
Also preparing for the big day is Roscrea Community Council (RCDC). Roscrea's St Patrick's Day Parade was started way back in 1979 by Roscrea Junior Chamber at the time and has been held every year since! This year will mark Roscrea's 38th annual St Patrick's Day Parade and the RCDC, like Nenagh, is appealing for entries to take part in the event. Steve Crofton, Chairman of the Roscrea Community Development Council's St Patrick's Day sub committe, is urging individuals, groups, businesses, social and community groups in Roscrea and the surrounding areas to make a special effort this year in order to mark the centenary of 1916. He is encouraging members of the communities to put together floats and/or walking parties, and appreciates that it is no easy task for businesses or groups to put a float together. However, he is encouraging people to make a significant effort for the 1916 Commemoration!
The Roscrea Parade Committee have had dicussions with the Templemore Parade Committee and are encouraging those who prepare floats for the Roscrea parade, which will take place in the afternoon, to first take part in the Templemore parade on the morning of the national feast day. This will also give the creators a chance to receive even more credit for all of their hard work! The Roscrea committee are likewise extending an invitation to all who take part in the Templemore parade on St Patrick's morning to take part in the Roscrea parade in the afternoon. The Roscrea parade will commence at 3pm on Thursday March 17th and will be a day packed with entertainment for all of the family!
Newport's St Patrick's parade will take place on Saturday March 12th.
The Ballina-Killaloe parade will take place on St Patrick's Day, March 17th, and will leave Ballina GAA Complex at 2.30pm. It will follow the usual route to the Review Stand on the Green. The organising committee urges all businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals to get involved and enter a float. Prizes will be awarded for Best Overall Float, Best Business Float, Best Club, Best Topical Float, Special Merit Award, Best 1916 Commemoration and Best Dressed Window.
All entries must be registered by Friday, March 11th and forms are available for download on the website www.feilebrianboru.com, by email to info@feilebrianboru.com or you may contact John Grimes (086-2587819) or Paddy Collins (087-2615406). If you would like to assist with stewarding or in providing First Aid on March 17th, please contact John or Paddy.
Birdhill Tidy Village group will take part in both the Newport and Ballina parades with a 1916 themed float. For further information contact any member of the committee or email birdhilltidytowns@gmail.com.
Borrisokane's parade will take place on Sunday March 20th. Businesses, organisations and groups are invited to take part in the parade, which the committee hopes will be bigger and better than ever this year. For information, contact Eoin at 087 218 8841 or tesscoen@hotmail.com.
So be sure to attend these unmissable events and, of course, support your local communities in the process!