Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 12:00pm

St. Patrick's Day parade promises to be spectacular

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Ryan, Aisling and Jack Brown were proud to fly their national colours for last year's the Cavan St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: Lorraine Teevan

With the NYAH traditional music and dance festival currently under way, Cavan town will be a hub of traditional activity for the next two weeks as the festival coincides with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, which starts in town next Wednesday (March 17, of course!) at 12.30pm.

And for the first time even, The Anglo-Celt will be streaming the parade live on its website (www.anglocelt.ie), courtesy of local company Maguire Media.

Cavan Mayor Cllr. Andrew Boylan will get proceedings underway from the Main Street car park and with eight bands marching from Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone among the participants, it promises to be a spectacular and colourful event. Among the bands will be Bunnoe Brass and Reed Band, St. Clare's School Band, Mullaghboy Accordian Band, all Cavan, Lisnaskea Accordian Band, Lisnaskea Silver Band, Maguiresbridge Accordian Band, all Fermanagh, Clontibret Pipe Band, Monaghan and Dungannon Pipe Band, County Tyrone.

The parade will be led by a Colour Party followed by Marching Body of the Reserve Defence Forces Support Company of the 56th Inf Battalion Forces, Dún Ú Neill, Barracks, Cavan.

A reviewing stand will be positioned outside the Ulster Bank, Main Street, Cavan and local dignitaries will be in attendance. Mel Doherty will once again be MC.

Martin Donohoe and Friends will provide musical entertainment on the stand from 11.30am, while the Webber School of Dancing will provide Irish dancers. Sweets and minerals will be distributed to children.

The route of parade is Tesco Car Park, Main Street, Connolly Street, turn right into College Street, Farnham Street, up to the Cathedral, turn right into Church Street, Main Street, and finishing again at the Tesco Car Park. The multi-storey car park will be open and free of charge.

Local businesses, voluntary groups, sporting organisations and schools can participate in the parade by providing floats or marching. To participate please contact Margaret Kelly, secretary, Cavan Town St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, 17 Highfield Road, Cavan. Telephone: 049-4361183

The organisers wish to thank Cavan Town Council, the publicans, the businesses in Cavan town, and the parishioners for their financial contributions towards the running costs of the parade.

The voluntary committee includes: Eddie Brady, chairman; Margaret Kelly, secretary; Martina Sexton, PRO; Cllr. Paddy Sexton, treasurer; members Margaret Webber, Cllr. Patricia Walsh, Elizabeth Coyle, Margaret Brady, Alan Cullinan, Myles Fitzpatrick, Cathal Kelly and Patrick Kelly.