*Photograph: John O’Neill
CLARE TURNS green this weekend with St Patrick’s Day parades taking place across the county.
Towns and villages across Clare have announced details of the events festivals and parades taking place for St Patrick’s Day.
Ennis’ parade will take place on Monday at 11am with uilleann piper Blackie O’Connell and women’s health advocate Dr. Máire Finn serving as grand marshals. The parade will set off from Áras Chontae an Chláir before turning right at the New Road and on to Steele’s Terrace. The floats and vehicles will then proceed over Club Bridge and into Abbey Street Car Park. The parade will then proceed up Bank Place and Bindon Street before disbanding at the Maid of Eireann with walkers concluding in the Coláiste Mhuire car park. The theme of this year’s parade is “We love Clare because…”.
Live music, a fun fair and dog show will kick off proceedings in the square in Kilrush from 12pm on Monday. The parade will begin at 3pm in Market Square with this year’s theme being “Coast to Countryside”. Kilrush’s Grand Marshal is Mary O’Mahony, well known in the town as ‘Aunty Mary’, due to her many years spent educating children in her pre-school.
A first-ever St Patrick’s Day parade takes place in Newmarket-on-Fergus, commencing at 4pm on Monday, with retired councillor, Pat McMahon (FF) the grand marshal. The parade’s route runs from Roseville Veterinary towards the church car park. Claire Coughlan, owner of The Rós Cafe in the village is part of the organising committee. “From what I know we’ve never actually we’ve never actually had a St. Patrick’s Day parade in the village. It’s obviously our first one, so we’re starting small. We have all the local sports groups, we have local community groups, some businesses, we have vintage cars, vintage tractors, a brass band, so we have a good bit of variety alright in whose taking part in the parade we got a great response from the community which is great”. She added, “The soccer, the GAA, the handball, the camogie, they’re all taking part. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the different groups that are in the village. We’ve such a big parish that it’s important to show off what we have”. She promised that the float from Meals on Wheels “is going to be a sight to behold”.
Shannon’s parade begins at 1pm on Monday starting at Ros Min and finishing at St Senan’s Rugby Club. The parade will follow the same route as in previous years as it passes Wolfe Tone’s GAA and turns right at the Comp roundabout. Organisers are urging volunteers to get involved in the proceedings.
A “Jam-Packed Family Funday” will take place on Monday from 12.45pm in Sixmilebridge. The parade will depart from Mount Ivers housing estate and there will be food stalls and a pet farm on the day, along with a three-touch walls competition being ran by Sixmilebridge GAA. The Bridge have asked all young hurlers to march in full club colours during the parade.
Fanore’s parade will be taking place on Sunday. The North Clare parade will leave Fanore beach at 12.30pm with entertainment on the day including live music in O’Donoghue’s pub and circus performers. A monster raffle will also be held with prizes ranging from Bluetooth speakers and headphones, a new Samsung Chromebook laptop, jewellery and a stay in the Falls Hotel.
Lisdoonvarna St Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 15th. Live music is on all day at the Roadside Tavern. The parade is scheduled to leave the Pavillion at 12.30pm with prizes to be won for the first, second and third best-dressed float.
Proceedings begin at 12 on the 17th in Kilfenora featuring cakes in the community hall, music from Tola Custy, Noel O’Donoghue, Eddie Moloney and Nigel Stevens at 2pm in Nagle’s bar and singer Damien Gormley will be performing in Vaughan’s pub in the village after a trad session.
Scariff’s parade will begin at 3pm in nearby Tuamgraney on Monday. The parade organisers are encouraging everyone in the community to dress up for the parade and decorate the windows of their homes and businesses for the occasion.
Tipperary and Clare will forgo their traditional yellow and blue in favour of green this weekend when the Killaloe/Ballina parade kicks off at 2.15pm on Sunday. The proceedings begin at Ballina GAA pitch and will travel through the village before crossing the bridge into Clare and finishing at the Green in Killaloe. Prizes on the day include Best Dressed Window, Best Overall Float, Best Business/Group/Club, Most Colourful and Best Climate Action Float.
The parade returns to Miltown Malbay this St. Patrick’s Day at 2.30pm, featuring vintage cars and tractors on display as well as spot prizes for the best walkers, floats and displays on the day. The theme of this year’s parade is “The Sun, The Wind and The Waves”. Participants are encouraged to meet at the national school at 1.30pm.
Kilkee St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at 12pm in the town. All floats are welcome at the event that promises music, fun and prizes on the day. Floats have been told to gather at the Circular Road from 11.30 am.
The Liam MacCarthy is headed to Tulla this St. Patrick’s Day where the theme is ‘Icons and Legends’. The cup will be at St. Mochulla’s Primary school from 3.30pm along with face painting and picture taking. The parade departs from the school at 4.30pm.
Feakle’s parade begins at 11.30am following mass at 10 on Sunday. Prizes will be on offer for the best float. A meet and greet is also running in the community hall from 10.40 to 11.40 with complementary tea and scones, hosted by Feakle Community Council.
Gort’s parade begins at 12.45pm on Monday with the theme of “Our Community”. The Pádraic Giblin RIP Perpetual Cup will be awarded to the best vintage car or tractor on the day. There will also be set dancing displays and live music on stage throughout the day.
