|
Mr. Pat Flanagan – National P.R.O. of Comhaltas and Chairman of the Roscrea Branch is to review Roscrea’s 33rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade which this year takes place on Thursday, March 17th at 3 o’clock. As well as being Parade Guest of Honour and reviewing it, Mr. Pat Flanagan will also be Guest of Honour at a pre-parade reception in Damer Court Hotel for the Parade’s guests, at which the blessing of the Shamrock will take place.
Parade Entrants
The hardworking committee have now finalised plans for the parade and are appealing to clubs, schools, organisations, residents associations, industrial and commercial interests in the town to participate in the parade on the day and bring their talents and messages onto the streets of Roscrea in a colourful, amusing and entertaining way. The parade offers an ideal opportunity for local businesses to market themselves, especially in the recessionary times, we find ourselves in. As usual there will be a parade narration from the Review Stand which will also facilitate float entrants in advertising their businesses or promoting their organisations’ objectives. The Parade Committee are also appealing to groups and individuals who may have musical or other such talents to enhance the celebrations on the day by performing on the streets.
Details on the Parade
The assembly point for the parade is the old Dublin Road. Assembly takes place at 2.30p.m. while the parade will begin to roll at 3p.m. The route of the parade will include Church Street, Castle Street and pass by the Review Stand in Market Square and will then proceed through Main Street.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann’s Roscrea Branch will be playing in the Square from 1p.m. Among the bands in this year’s parade will be St. Colmcille’s Pipe Band, the McDonagh Pipe Band and the Sean Treacy Pipe Band.
Shop Window Display
The Organising Committee have asked the retailers of the town to decorate their shop windows. There is a Perpetual Trophy available for the window which is deemed to best promote an awareness of tourism in Roscrea and which is sponsored by Roscrea Heritage. There are also a large number of perpetual trophies for the various category entries with a cash prize for the overall prize.
Offers of Support
As the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is of very major benefit to the traders of the town who are opened on St. Patrick’s Day and which include publicans, convenience shops and restaurants, these groups are asked to contribute extra generously in defraying the escalating costs of holding the parade, and thus to ensure that the parade may continue into the future.
Without the assistance of the entire community it would not be possible to continue organising a Parade in Roscrea, as annually the cost increases and fund raising becomes more difficult for a small number of people. Roscrea’s Parade unlike those of many town’s is not organised by a Town Council, as Roscrea of course does not have a town council. The organising committee are therefore seeking floats from the Industrial, Business and Voluntary sector and also floats from schools, sports clubs, music groups, social clubs etc. Those seeking details of this year’s parade, wishing to include floats, offers of support etc. should contact Parade Secretary Marie Tooher at Roscrea Abbey Community Centre (Abbey Hall), Abbey Street, Roscrea. Telephone 0505 23183.
| 
