Carrickmacross St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates community

Spectators lined the streets for the 3pm kick off of the Carrickmacross parade in honour of our Patron Saint. It was a joyful event, which celebrated the very best of the community and voluntary sector. The town’s many sporting clubs did demonstrations and upcoming events and festivals had floats.

The schools also turned out in numbers. Steadfast Shoes Brass Band, An Lochrann Linn, Corduff Pipe Band and St Mary’s Brass and Reed Band provided a soundtrack. The local Comhaltas branch entertained the crowds before the parade began.

It was the fourth year of the Ireland V Scotland hurdles championship, featuring Cllr Aidan Campbell, who is just back from Tokyo and Revd. Ian Cruickshank. The fourth annual race was deemed a draw by Master of Ceremonies David O’Rourke, who keeps everyone on the review stand on their toes!

Revd Cruickshank, the proud Scot Carrick adopted as one of their own, is leaving the town shortly. He is a jovial character who will be missed. The Clergy and the Gardaí made up “the top table,” as the MC put it, alongside elected representatives and MD officials.

The parade, a highly successful decades-long tradition, was organised by Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District with the assistance of Carrickmacross Street Festival Committee.

The event was tinged with sadness too, as it was announced that a regular exhibitor at the Carrickmacross St Patrick’s Day Parade had passed away suddenly during the night. John Keenan was extremely well known in vintage circles and he was also a former Monaghan County Councillor.

He had intended to take part in the parade, but his favourite tractor, a Massey Ferguson 35 appeared in the parade in his honour, thanks to his beloved club Lisdoonan. Cathaoirleach Paul Gibbons paid tribute during his brief address, as did MC David O’Rourke.

The weather was with those who had to brave the elements and the rain held off until the drive home! Happy St Patrick’s Day to one and all.