Towns and villages ready to go green for St Patrick’s Day
See list of times for local parades
COMMUNITIES around the region are making the final preparations ahead of a large number of St Patrick’s Day Parades taking place on Tuesday.
No doubt, the recent international and national political events and personalities will feature in many of the local floats while plenty of celebrities and sports stars are expected to make an appearance!
Abbeyknockmoy is known for its innovative and humorous display of community floats and there’s always great local rivalry as to which one is declared the overall winner. This will be the village’s 20th St Patrick’s Day Parade and everyone is urged to get involved and turn out to watch. Everyone is encouraged to take part with a start time of 1pm.
Athenry’s parade takes place from 11.30am with this the Year of the Fire Horse as its theme. In the Luncar calendar, the Fire Horse is a symbol of bold change, fiery passion, momentum, and freedom.
Claregalway has a festival atmosphere rather than a parade. Its St Patrick’s Day Festival will take place in the courtyard behind Hughes SuperValu, Claregalway, from 12pm to 3.30pm, and it will be a family-friendly community event with music, performances and local entertainment.
Clonberne has enjoyed continued success with its parade which has been held for several years now. It attracts local entries as well as those from surrounding communities as it has a later start time of 5pm. Businesses, work colleagues, neighbours, friends, clubs, relations and individuals are asked to come together and take part.
Corofin doesn’t hold a parade, but it is organising plenty of entertainment locally to mark St Patrick’s Day. Corofin Comhaltas will host a full programme of traditional music events, with activities for musicians of all ages taking place in Corofin and Tuam.
On Saturday, March 14 there’s a Junior Rambling House Session from 5pm in the Palm Tree Pub, Corofin. On Monday, March 16, an Adult Traditional Session will be held in Raftery’s Bar from 8.30pm.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, the adult intermediate group will participate in the 11am Mass in Corofin and later that day, the Teens/Reels Group will join an open session at 11.45am in Tuam, ahead of the parade. National School pupils will also participate in the Tuam St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The celebrations will conclude with a Post-Parade Adult Session in Reapy’s Bar, Tuam, beginning at 3pm.
The parade in Dunmore will get underway just after 11.30am Mass. Entries are asked to assemble at the national school and it will begin with a kiddie’s tractor parade. There will be plenty of interest to see who takes home the €1,000 cash prize for best entry.
The Williamstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place at 2.30pm, starting at the Sports Complex. All those taking part are asked to assemble there at 2pm.
No doubt there will be numerous colourful costumes and imaginative floats to be seen. All are invited to come along and support this special community event.
Mountbellew is one of the first parades to get underway in the region with groups, floats and participants setting off around the town at 12 noon.
Castleblakeney will also hold a parade this year and it begins at 1.15pm with a €100 prize up for grabs for Best Float. A traditional music session takes place afterwards in Nolan’s Bar.
Plenty of entries are expected to take part in the Glenamaddy Parade which is organised to begin at 12.30. People of all ages are encouraged to wrap up and join in the community celebration.
Tuam is being urged to love their town this St Patrick’s Day. The theme of ‘Love your Town’ is to remind people of their individual responsibility for their town and area, for the upkeep of the streets, public areas, residential estates and parks.
It also salutes and celebrates all those who formally dedicate so much time to this task such as the Tidy Towns Committee, Residents’ Committees, Galway County Council staff and all the individuals who take pride in the town and area for the way it looks, for its cleanliness and liveability.
The Parade will commence at 2pm from SuperValu Car Park and will travel up Shop Street, across the Square to the reviewing stand and proceeding up Bishop Street returning to the SuperValu carpark.
Headford is preparing for a vibrant community celebration with a full morning of family-friendly entertainment organised by the Headford & District Association.
Festivities will begin in the Square at 10.30am with face painting by Nancy the Clown. From 11am to 12pm, Drumadore will provide lively entertainment, followed by a performance from the Coleman School of Dance from 12pm to 12.45pm. The Kilcoona Scouts will also host a bake sale in the Square, raising funds for an upcoming trip.
At the top of the town outside Heneghan’s Anglers Rest, local musicians will perform from 11am to 12pm, followed by performances from local choirs from 12.15pm, including the Headford Male Choir, Sing On and the Tav Choir.
The parade will begin at 12.45pm, led by the Mini Tractor Run and this year’s Grand Marshals, the Headford Yarnbombers, who have brought colour and creativity to the town with their popular yarn displays.
Following the parade, everyone is invited to a family-friendly afterparty in Moyne Villa, where there will be music, the Scouts’ bake sale, and The Dugout will be open.
Everyone is welcome to take part in the parade. The assembly point for walking groups has moved this year to the Old Forge, and participants are asked to assemble by 12.15pm.
In Galway the parade starts at 11am with special guest, former President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. It will see up to 3,000 participants taking part in what will be a colourful spectacle throughout the city centre. The event aims to celebrate Galway’s diverse culture and talent through an inclusive programme of events.
PARADE START TIMES
Athenry 11.30am
Abbeyknockmoy 1pm
Castleblakeney 1.15pm
Claregalway festival 12-3pm
Clonberne 5pm
Dunmore (after 11.30am Mass)
Galway city 11am
Glenamaddy 12.30pm
Headford 12.45pm
Mountbellew 12 noon
Tuam 2pm