Big celebrations planned for St Patrick's Day
PREVIEW At least 10 parades across the county!
Massive celebrations are planned across Cavan for the first proper celebration of St Patrick’s Day in two years, with at least 10 parades set to be staged from north to south and east to west.
Towns and villages across the county are hoping to make up for the missed celebrations as people come together on Thursday afternoon.
One of the county’s biggest celebrations, as always, is taking place in Cavan Town. Starting at 12.30pm at Tesco carpark, floats will make their way across the town.
“We’re well there now. There’s plenty of interest,” says organising committee chair Michael Mooney.
“It looks like it’s going to be a big crowd so we’re looking forward to it.”
Organisers of the county’s events are said to be hopeful of big celebrations this year after the two-year pause. The extra bank holiday on March 18 is hoped to boost trade.
There were questions over whether funding to run this year’s parade could be found at short notice, with a reluctance by organisers to ask hard-pressed businesses for sponsorship. However, plans were well advanced for the 2020 celebration when it was cancelled at the start of the pandemic and Michael says the money collected then was saved by the committee.
“Thankfully we had enough money saved. We had the groundwork done two years ago and unfortunately it didn’t go ahead. But it meant we didn’t have to go to any of the businesses this year.”
Local business Sheridan Insurances stepped in to sponsor this year’s celebration, continuing its support given in the years pre-pandemic.
Other towns and villages also have their own celebrations.
Kingscourt
Kingscourt’s parade will get underway at 1pm in the Mount St Joseph’s area. It will set off around the town, with local residents and traders being encouraged to join in the celebrations and display the tricolour or bunting.
Cootehill
Cootehill Chamber has been busy organising four days of events to celebrate the national holiday.
The parade will take place at 3pm but the St Patrick’s events will kick off with a swim at Halton’s Lake at 11am. Organisers are encouraging as many community groups and businesses as possible to take part, with some special surprises also believed to be lined up.
All proceeds on the day in Cootehill will go towards SOSAD and Cootehill Cancer Care.
Bailieborough
In lieu of its traditional parade, Bailieborough has decided to put its own twist on the St Patrick’s Day parade for 2022 with a Run of the Leprechauns taking place on Thursday afternoon.
Starting at the town’s community centre, people can run distances of three, five and 10 kilometres, with an entry fee of €5. All proceeds will go towards the Bailieborough Midsummer Festival later this year.
Ballinagh
Ballinagh’s parade will take place at 4.30pm on Thursday. It will travel the town from its start point at the local community centre.
Arva and
Killeshandra
Further west and Killeshandra’s celebration will begin at 12.30pm and its viewing stand will be located at the resource centre, while Arva has €2,000 in prizes up for grabs in its parade, which gets underway at 3pm.
Ballyconnell
Ballyconnell’s Town Development Committee is hoping for “a bit of craic for everyone” at this year’s parade, which gets underway at 3pm. Prizes will be on offer this year for the best industrial float, the funniest, most original and in the junior category.
Swad
Out the road in Swanlinbar the parade begins at 4pm from the Creamery Road. No parking will be allowed on Main Street, with attendees urged to instead park in Church carpark or at the GAA grounds. Prizes up for grabs include the Cornalun Cup for first place, with others lined up for second and third places. Music, dancing, singing and the prize giving will take place in the Square after the parade.
Ballyjamesduff
The parade in Ballyjamesduff will get underway this year at 4pm, starting at the mart. Again, there will be prizes for the best overall float and best school float on the day.
Kilnaleck
Kilnaleck will this year go without a parade with a lack of funds said to be the biggest issue. However, it’s hoped plans and funding can be put in place to allow a celebration in the village in 2023.
Mullagh
Mullagh too will host its St Patrick’s Day celebrations on THursday evening. It will kick off at 5pm and organisers say all are welcome.
Clones
The border town of Clones will continue the tradition of beginning the region’s St Patrick’s celebrations with its parade on the eve of the national day.
Wednesday at 7pm will see the town’s parade led by the mobile patrol unit of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, with a yellow submarine also believed to be making an appearance among the floats.