Chairman denies Cavan parade committee is stepping down

The chairman of the St. Patrick's Day parade committee in Cavan town has denied rumours that all members have all stepped down from their positions in a disagreement over the parade time. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt this week, Eddie Brady, said he wanted to scotch the rumours that the committee had stepped down. "We have not discussed the matter, although I'm aware that some members have been thinking along those lines." He also denied that the committee had been approached by a delegation from the business community with a view to changing the time and format of the parade. In a letter to The Anglo-Celt last week, signed by the owner of The Imperial Bar, Donal Keogan, it had been suggested to change the starting time of 12.30pm to one later in the evening. It claimed that a letter had been circulated to the business community seeking changes to the parade and more than 80 people signed it. Mr. Keogan did pay tribute to the hard working committee and added that they performed an important duty. However, he added that the parade in its current format had served Cavan well but a pageant-style event would attract bigger crowds to the town. Mr. Brady pointed out that it cost in the region of €5,000 to attract the eight bands for this year's event. "All of the bands have their own schedules on St. Patrick's Day and many of them had other parades to attend in the county and further afield." If they change the time of the parade, they may not get the same commitment from the bands in future, added Mr. Brady. This was the 12th year of the parade and it had come a long way since then when only three bands participated. "If the finance was available, we could have twelve bands in the parade annually," he added. Mr. Brady paid tribute to Cavan Town Council for the yearly grant as without it they would not be able to afford the band. "No decision has been taken with regard to next year's parade," he concluded. Meanwhile, the parade committee would like to thank all the groups and bands who participated in this year's event and made it such a successful enjoyable occasion. Sincere thanks to the Colour Party and Marching Body of the Reserve Defence Forces Support Company of the 56th Infantry Battalion Forces, Dún Ú Neill, Barracks, Cavan, An Garda Siochana, Stewards, Cavan Town Council, Dignitaries who attended the reviewing stand, Mel Doherty MC, Martin Donohoe and Friends, Webber School of Dancing, publicans and businesses in Cavan town and surrounding areas for all their financial support. The voluntary committee who organised the parade is made up of the following individuals: Eddie Brady, chairman; Margaret Kelly, secretary; Paddy Sexton, treasurer; Martina Sexton, PRO; and committee members - Margaret Webber, Cllr. Patricia Walsh, Elizabeth Coyle, Margaret Brady, Alan Cullinan, Myles Fitzpatrick, Cathal Kelly and Patrick Kelly.