Pandemic restrictions see parades cancelled for another year

Cavan Town is traditionally one of the earliest parades in the county. In March 2020 they were the first to announce a cancellation due to concerns over the potential spread of Covid-19.

Cavan’s love of the St Patrick’s Day gatherings will have to wait as organisers of parades across the county confirm that 2021 will be another year without festivities. State-wide restrictions have curtailed any expectations of the feast of the nation’s patron saint.

Last week Dublin St Patrick’s Festival organisers confirmed there will be no street parade in the capital this March. Local organisers of a number of parades have decided likewise.

Cavan Town is traditionally one of the earliest parades in the county. In March 2020 they were the first to announce a cancellation due to concerns over the potential spread of Covid-19.

Michael Mooney, Chairperson of the Cavan St Patrick’s Day Parade, feels that although this year’s event will not go ahead there is something to look froward to: “There will be no parade this year,” said the publican. “We hoped when we made the announcement last year we would be back bigger and stronger, but unfortunately that is not the case. Hopefully now with the vaccine rolling out and everyone done by September we can look forward to St Patrick’s Day 2022.”

Michael predicts that parade absence will make the revellers’ hearts grow fonder.

“I am sure it is going to get bigger and better because everyone will be looking forward to it after a two year break all across the world.”

Susan McVitty is part of the organising committee ensuring the Ballyconnell parade is traditionally a big draw to the west Cavan town. The creative and family-entertainment orientated St Patrick’s Day parade has attracted large crowds over the past decade.

Susan notes that the parade is not the only community event to fall victim to restrictions on gatherings. “It’s hard to believe this is the second year it will not take place. Even the Fair Day coming up in August [is off].”

Optimism is still the byword used by all parade organisers.

“If we can see the restrictions lifted by the end of this year then definitely there will be a big push for next year’s parade,” vowed Susan. “We always have a great parade in Ballyconnell. I have to say that everyone helps out on the day. The businesses always support it in every way. I think in 2022 everyone will be mad to get out and take part.”

Eugene Kiernan is heavily involved in the Kilnaleck parade. Smaller parades county-wide have been vital community events and Eugene believes that this will continue once restrictions lift.

“I think going forward there will be a renewed appetite for the parade. The emphasis will be off the pubs. Businesses will use the parade to promote themselves and in my book they will be stronger than ever.”

Clifford Kelly of Kingscourt Community Development Association is one of the driving forces behind the local parade.

“We haven’t officially announced that the parade won’t be going ahead, we are having an online meeting on Friday night, but a few of us have discussed it and it’s probably not going to be possible.”

Cllr Kelly says although the parade may be off the table this year there are other events to be planned: “No matter how many people are vaccinated we have to accept that there is likely to be some form of restrictions in place until the end of the year. The one thing we are not ruling out is our Trade Fair at the end of November.”

Generating momentum for next year’s parade will require a dedicated team.

“When you have a break for a number of years it can be difficult to build that interest again. The general public will be delighted to see them, but firms will have gone through a bad period, so it may not be as easy to get them back.

“Hopefully I am wrong on that point, but I think we will have a lot of work ahead of us,” Cllr Kelly said.