Cavan to host 13 parades tomorrow

With 13 St Patrick's Day parades to be hosted around the county tomorrow, we have the low down on what's happening where...

 

Ceire to lead out Cavan parade
Parade action in the county gets underway in the County Town at 12.30pm from the Tesco/Town carpark with the reviewing stand located opposite the Post Office.
Chairperson of the parade committee, Peter McGinnity junior, told The Anglo-Celt that there will be over 70 entries participating and this will all be to the beat of eight marching bands. Grand Marshal is boxing star Ceire Smith.
The Margaret Webber School of dancing will be showcasing wonderful dancing skills and the show will take place at the Market Square outside the Post Office. Cavan Comhaltas branch will also be filling the air with some traditional Irish music. There will be awards for the best float, the best overall entry and most colourfully decorated float.
“It is promising to be one of the biggest and most diverse parades that have been staged in the town,” enthused Peter McGinnity. “We are appealing for everyone to make as much effort as possible to ensure it is a great event, and for business owners to ensure their premises are colourfully decorated for our national day.”
Other committee members include Eddie Brady, Dessie Crossan, Paul Reilly and Teddy Maguire. If you need any further information contact Peter McGinnity on 085 2494 695; or Michael Mooney 087-6435901.

30th annual parade in Cootehill
Cootehill Chamber, which will be celebrating its golden jubilee next year 2016, will host its 30th annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. Preceeding the parade at 2.45pm, there will be a warm welcome for up to 80 truck drivers, who for the second year running, are organising a convoy-style truck run in aid of the Holy Family School. Last year, the run raised in the region of €8,000.
The parade itself will take place at the usual time of 3pm, commencing at the old credit union building on Bridge Street and proceeding up Market Street past the reviewing stand outside the White Star.
“This year we are delighted to welcome Patsy Boyle as Honorary Grand Marshall who is being honoured for his outstanding contribution to the community and he will take over the baton from last year’s honorary Grand Marshall, Sean Foy,” said the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Connie Whelan.
“This year, we are looking forward to an entertaining and lively parade and there has been strong interest from local businesses and community groups wishing to take part. The parade is important to the town and is an opportunity for businesses and community groups to demonstrate to the community at large what they are about. We strongly encourage people to participate in the parade; it isn’t too late to signify your interest in entering a float on the day. We also encourage the local community to come out and support our local parade. We have entertainment lined up by way of St Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band from Bunnoe, Lisnaskea Silver Band, the Cavan All Male Rugby Choir, local comedy acts, local Irish musicians and traditional Irish dancers and for the little ones - special guests all the way from Disneyland, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Olaf from Frozen. We will also have additional children’s entertainment provided by Colin Walker,” said Mr Whelan.
A bouncy slide and trampoline will also feature to keep the little ones amused!

A hundred floats in Kingscourt
One of the biggest parades in the region will be staged in the town of Kingscourt and it will commence at 1pm. According to Cllr Clifford Kelly a massive turnout is expected this year and there will be up to 100 floats participating.
The parade starts at the Dublin Road and will feature four marching bands and there will also be live music on the street. There will also be fun activities for children with an emphasis on making the event a family-orientated occasion.

Comedy theme to Bailieboro Parade
The parade in Bailieboro is scheduled to get underway at 2.30pm and sets off from the Community School carpark area on the Virginia Road. Seamus McCabe, parade committee treasurer, says that the parade will feature two marching bands and percentage of the floats participating will have an emphasis on comedy and entertainment value.
There is a €250 cash prize for the best comedy float. It is anticipated that between 70-80 floats will pass by the reviewing stand and the MC will be Russell Waller, while the committee chairman is Philip Fyffe.
Seamus emphasised that it is a very safe parade for children because they have two rows of pedestrian barriers in place on both sides of the street.

Music and dancing in Ballyconnell
The biggest parade in west Cavan takes place in Ballyconnell starting at 3pm. It will start out from the Derrylin road at the Rakeelan Service Station. The Mountain Road Pipe Band will lead the parade. The committee chairperson Susan McVitty says it is anticipated that up to 60 floats will pass by the reviewing stand and will feature comedy and colour, with lots of youth participation, together with people of all ages.
There will be dancing and music on the stage prior to the parade when the Milltown Comhaltas will be showcasing their musical talents. There will also be a display of art work from the local schools in the Market House.

Shaking shamrocks in Swad
Staying in west Cavan and the Swanlinbar parade will also commence at 4pm. All floats and entries are to assemble at the Bawn Road and Creamery Road.
There will be prizes for the best floats. There will also be a draw for a trailer load of sticks, coal and briquettes on the day.
Lines €5 available in local shops and businesses. Main road will be closed from 4pm with diversions in place.

Cross-border parade
Claiming to be Ireland’s only cross-border parade - the Blacklion-Beloo parade will once again commence at 4pm starting off in Blacklion at 4pm, proceeding to Belcoo, before returning to County Cavan soil.
As part of the festivities in that part of the county, the Cavan Burren Park will also celebrate with fables, poetry, music and art workshops on St Patrick’s Day from noon to 3.15pm with Noel Monahan, Seamus Ohultachain, Bee Smith and Heather Brett.

Prizes on offer in Killeshandra
The 20th annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Killeshandra will commence next Tuesday afternoon at 12.30pm and vibrant music will be provided by the Mountain Road Pipe Band. Gerry Duffy says that it is expected that up to 40 floats will participate in this year’s event, which will set off from the Ballyconnell road area. There will be cash prizes amounting to hundreds of euro for the best overall float, the best entertaining float and the best on foot award, together with numerous other prizes. Entries will be taken from 11.30 on the morning. The committee asks a representative from each float to leave details of the entry and nominate a person in charge.
There will be no entry fee but generous cash prizes are still available with the committee promising “an exciting and entertaining day for young and old”.

Festivities in Arva
The 10th annual St Patrick’s day parade will take place in Arva at 3pm. There will be large cash prizes for the best floats and walking pageantry with no entry fee involved. The Master of Ceremonies will be Peter Masterson. There will also be a commemorative plaque for the best dressed window, sponsored by Keith’s Centra Arva. The committee requests that a representative from each float leave detailsof the entry and nominate a person in charge of the float to the reviewing stand prior to commencing in the parade.

50 years of Kilnaleck parades
This year marks the golden jubilee aniversary of St Patrick’s Day festivities in Kilnaleck. As usual many of the bands who performed in Cavan will make ther way to Kilnaleck for a starting time at the handball alley on the Ballinagh Road of approximately 3pm. A notable difference, for the first time in 40 years there will be a new voice undertaking MC duties as Peter Brady is sadly unavailable. Instead the microphone will be left in the capable hands of Craig Lovett.
“Kilnaleck has one of the oldest parades in County Cavan,” enthused Peter. “When it started off back in 1964 it was quite small, but it’s grown massively over the years, and is now one of the better known parades. It always draws very good crowds.”

Busking contest in Ballinagh
One of the later afternoon parades in the county, the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballinagh will commence from the community centre car park at 4.30pm. There will be marching bands and busking competitions with prizes for best floats, fancy dress, dog parade and best dressed windows. A great evening is promised for all the family and everyone is very welcome and let’s hope that the weather remains fine.

A sea of green in Ballyjamesduff
The St Patrick’s Day parade in Ballyjamesduff is scheduled to get underway from outside the Co-Op Mart area at 4pm and will feature the Clontibret Pipe Band. The parade committee chairman Harry Brant says they are expecting that up to 100 floats will be taking part this year. The parade goes through the town returning to the mart carpark. There will be lots of colour and entertainment value as the parade traverses the town. There will also be face painting for children and entertainment in the local pubs.

Mullagh
One of the last parades in the county on the day, the Mullagh Tourism & Community Development Committee are putting the final touches to this year’s parade, which kicks off at 5pm on St Patrick’s Day. Organisers are expecting more than 60 entries with cash prizes on offer for the best and most entertaining floats or entries in the parade. To ensure the safe and smooth running of this year’s parade, the committee is appealing to all members of the community to help steward this year’s event. Stewards are asked to assemble at the viewing stand at 4.30pm for high-vis jackets and instructions. For further information, you may contact a committee member on 087-7466606.
Cllr Shane P O’Reilly, who himself will be flying the Cavan flag in New York as Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, is a committee member and he says that parade goers can expect “great craic agus ceol and great entertainment for all the family”.