AN EXCELLENT TURNOUT
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
The sun shone, the crowds turned up and the paraders excelled themselves. The village was decked with bunting and flags and the reviewing platform was decked with Jennifer Murnane TD, Counsellors John Pender, John McDonald and William Patton. Marty Barry was the MC and was able to identify the paraders and fill in the gaps with some ad-lib banter. Pat Nolan led the parade as St. Patrick.
The inaugural parade was held in 1986 and has been held annually ever since except in 2001 (cancelled due to foot and mouth), 2019 (no committee) and 2020 and 2021 (Covid-19 restrictions), making this the 32nd renewal of the event.
The parade started at the Land League Gates and took forty minutes to pass the reviewing stand in the centre of the village, and nearly as long on the return journey when the prize winners were announced.
There was a carnival atmosphere heightened by the conceived freedom from Covid and the opportunity to meet with friends not seen since the lockdowns. We are social beings and we need this rapport.
Prizes were awarded to Fr Jim O’Connell (most comical); Burrin Rangers (best community group); Ballon NS (best walking group); Cost of Living (funniest)’ most topical (Siopa Glas); 1967 Morris Minor (best vintage car) and Gordon Hegarty and Sons (best overall).
VIEWERS
WALKING GROUPS
Phew! Job Done! Photo Credit Caroline Doyle