Saint Patrick's Day parades in North Tipperary
BALLINA
As St Patrick’s Day approaches, our national holiday is marked by a festive weekend with a host of varied activities in Killaloe-Ballina and environs from March 17 to 19.
The weekend will begin with a festive Mass in St Flannan’s Church in Killaloe at 11am.
At 2.30pm, the traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade will start from Ballina GAA carpark, travel over the bridge and end at the review stand on The Green in Killaloe.
The organisers are encouraging all businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals to get involved and enter a float. All creative interpretations are welcome and prizes will be presented for the best entries in each category.
To ensure the safe running of this event, all entries must be registered in advance of the parade. Please email info@feilebrianboru.com or phone Paddy on 087-2615406.
A prize will also be presented on the day for the business or home with the Best Dressed Window, so you are encouraged to bring plenty of colour onto the streets of Ballina and Killaloe.
NEWPORT
Arrangements are now being finalised for the St Patrick's Day Parade at Newport, which takes place this Saturday, March 11, commencing at 12 noon.
The parade will commence at the Day Care Centre and proceed through the town to the Community Centre and is expected to complete with the announcement of the prizewinners and presentation of the prizes around 1pm.
Traffic through the town will be diverted between 11.30am and 1pm, and parking within the town will be restricted for the duration of the parade.
It is a welcome return of the colourful event, which last took place in 2019, having had to be dropped from the annual calendar since due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions
PORTUMNA
The Portumna St Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Friday, March 17, at 12 noon, starting from the mart car park in Dominic Street.
The committee are asking community groups, local businesses and individuals to take part in the parade and to help make it a great fun day for the community. Registration forms are available at the Post Office; registration is also possible on the morning of the parade from 11am at the mart. There will be a prize for the most appropriately decorated window in the town.
The committee are also asking that business premises along the parade route be decorated with flags, bunting, etc. There will be live entertainment on the reviewing stand on the main street before and after the parade.
For further details, contact Kathleen O'Brien, 087 2850165 or Walter Burke, 087 8267054.
ROSCREA
Roscrea Community Development Council’s sub-committee under the Chairmanship of Shane Lee are finalising plans for Roscrea’s 43rd annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, which commences at 3.30pm on Friday, March 17, our National Feast Day.
Anyone who wishes to enter a float, please contact Chairman Shane Lee (086 3296667) or Secretary Marie Tooher (086 0755680) for an entry form. Entries are free.
Cash prizes: Cash prizes will be given to each winning entry in the following categories: Best Overall Entry - €200, Best Business Float - €100, Best local community group/sports club - €100, Special Recognition Award - €100 and Special Merit Award - €100.
Shop Window Competition: The Organising Committee are also this year holding its annual Shop Window Competition with first, second and third prizes.
In addition to the above prizes, the Adrian Hewson Perpetual Trophy will commence to be awarded this year in honour of one of the founders of the Roscrea Parade Committee, and who chaired many of the Roscrea Parade Committees and was involved in all 43 of the parades, and for a number as Chairperson, Narrator and as Parade Judge.
TEMPLEMORE
What could be more Irish than the celebration of St Patrick’s Day with Shamrock, Irish music and dance celebrated all over the world?
Curiously, the man himself was not originally Irish and had to be 'persuaded' to come to Ireland. Scholars now believe he may actually have been born in Brittany. His initial job of herding sheep on the Dingle peninsula famously left him with an abiding dislike of snakes. He later fell in love with this Island after devoting his life to dousing our heathen heads and driving the serpents from our thoughts.
For that reason, it is very fitting that Templemore will be hosting the 'Banda Folleta' from France to entertain in the square with their 30-piece band and carnivalesque dancing. There will be no 'snaking parade' but instead a central stage where acts will perform.
Attendees can also enjoy the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band, The Bunker Hill Band, music from Our Lady's Secondary School, dancers from Scór, and much more. Organisers will be 'banishing' cars from the Snooker Hall end of the square from 9am on the day, so please don’t risk the wrath of St Patrick or his helpers in high-vis jackets.
There will be a prize on the day for the best-dressed 'Paddy’s Day' Outfit. Look out for more updates on the Tipperary Star, Nenagh Guardian, Tipp FM, and posters around town. Vocations as volunteers are also being sought on the day. Remember to be green and to be seen on March 17.
THURLES
The eagerly awaited return of the St Patrick’s Day parade is eagerly looked forward to and goes ahead on Friday, March 17.
The parade itself begins at 2.30pm at Abbey Road and moves via Friar Street to the viewing stand at Liberty Square but beforehand, there will be entertainment from 1.30pm in Liberty Square.
John Kinehan and his committee have put a lot of work into the preparations and are hoping for fine weather and a good turnout to encourage the participants.