Host of St Patrick’s Day parades across Offaly

There are no shortage of events to attend this weekend in Offaly to celebrate our patron saint with a variety of parades, live music and events to enjoy.

Tullamore St Patrick's Day Parade will be held this Sunday, March 17 starting at 11.30am. The assembly point is the car park of the Bridge Centre and all groups are being asked to be there by 11am at the latest. Former Minister and TD Brian Cowen is the Grand Marshal this year and at 11.10am he will address the large crowd expected and cut the ribbon to launch the 2024 parade. There will be entertainment before the parade provided by Tullamore Comhaltas at the Review Stand which will start at 10.45am.

Parade Secretary Cllr Sean O'Brien said it was “fantastic” to have Mr Cowen on board as the Grand Marshal. “We're thrilled to have him. I think he's a very well liked man around Offaly.” He also encouraged people to come early on the day to enjoy the entertainment. Leading the parade will be the Colour Party followed by the very impressive Army Band.

The theme for this year is 'Eire-cultur Trí Ceol, Caint, Craic agus Siochain ar fud an Domhain'. All entries are asked to include some aspect of the theme in their entry.

Cllr O'Brien said that there will be “great variety” in the floats presented with some “fantastic entries” from local schools and St Mary's Youth & Community Centre. Five major bands; Mullingar Town Band, Clara Town Band, the Army Band and two Pipe Bands, will all play on the day as well. “People just love the bands,” said Cllr O'Brien. “The Army Band will be leading off after the Colour Party.”

Entertainment for children will start at 10.30am and run to 1pm. This will include free face painting to the front of the Bridge Centre and cartoon mascots along the parade route. There will be a sensory friendly space in O' Connor Square for children in need of more space and they can retreat back into the square if it is too much for them.

There will be an accessible viewing space directly across from the Review Stand, which will be outside Brown's Bistro, this area will be reserved for people who are wheelchair users and chairs for elderly who need to sit. Parking will be available nearby in Harbour St and Offaly Street.

A host of local dance groups, community groups along with representation from the Indian community in Offaly and the Tullamore for Gaza group will have a presence in the day's events.

Banagher St Patrick's Day Parade is sure to delight any keen GAA fans as former All-Ireland winning Offaly hurling captains Padraig Horan and Martin Hanamy, and the county's first ever GAA hurling All-Star, Damien Martin, will be the Grand Marshals of this year's celebration.

Organisers said they were honoured to have the three proud St Rynagh's hurling legends lead the parade this Sunday.

The St Patrick's Day festivities will begin with a river parade departing Shannon Harbour, which will arrive at Banagher Marina for approximately 1pm. The main town parade will begin at 3pm, with the assembly point at upper Main Street in Banagher.

Kilcormac will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the parade this year. Sponsored by Bord na Móna, it will commence at 3.30pm on St Patrick's Day from the KK GAA field in Kilcormac and make its way down the Main Street to the Grandstand where the judging will take place.

No pre-registration is necessary so anyone interested in taking part in the parade should arrive at the GAA grounds from 2.30pm.

School entries, fancy dress and any children’s entries are being asked to gather inside the gates at the car park for safety and all other entries should line-up on the Birr Road facing Kilcormac where registration will be done.

The nearby Mountbolus St Patrick's Day Parade will take place this Sunday, March 17, starting at 11am. Assembly for the parade will commence from 10am outside Newtons on the hill. This year’s categories are; Fancy dress, most original, best group display, vintage vehicle, schools award, environmental award, Paul perpetual trophy, most historic, exceptional entry and the beehive perpetual overall winner's trophy.

Local community activist Grand Marshal Judy Bryant will lead the parade. Ms Bryant said that she was “very surprised” to be selected as the Grand Marshal this year. “When I look at the Grand Marshals that have led the parade and think of all the community, county, and national work they have done, I am very humbled to be held in the same category.”

She is hoping for good weather on the day and said that she didn't remember a parade that had been rained on in years gone by.

“If it's not raining, it will be an experience to drive down through Mountbolus in an open topped car waving to friends, neighbours and all the gathered spectators.

Ms Bryant continued: “At the bottom of the village I will leave the car and make my way onto the reviewing platform where I have been asked to be a Parade Judge. From there, I will see the real heroes of the parade, all the individuals and groups that have put time and effort into creating entries for the entertainment of the parade viewers.”

There will be hot refreshments in Killoughey Community Centre for spectators in the morning and hot dinners and refreshments will be served in the beehive.

Some 70 floats are expected to take part in Clara St Patrick's Day Parade which will kick off at 12.30pm this Sunday, March 17 at Charlestown Bridge.

Clara Town Band will be joined by Mullingar Town Band and a band from Newbridge in the annual parade, once again organised by the indefatigable Bertie McMahon.

However, the activities will be well underway at that stage, with musical entertainment taking place in The Square in Clara from 11.30am. Among those performing will be the James Kinsella Céilí Band and Alex Roe and Chris Loughrey.

Before the parade proper, the people of Clara will be entertained by Irish dancers from the Concannon Ganley Academy, Durrow Set Dancers and Rahan CCE, and others.

Commencing at Charlestown Bridge, the parade will make its way down River Street and into The Square.

Officially opening this year's parade are well-known brothers Danny and Patrick Rabbitte, two people held in high esteem by Bertie McMahon, while Trevor Kavanagh will sing the national anthem.

Meanwhile, Rhode village will host its St Patrick's Day parade this Sunday, March 17, starting at the early time of 10am.

The organisers, Rhode GAA said: “We are very honoured to have Mrs Mary Leavy as Rhode’s Grand Marshal for our 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade. Mary is no stranger to the big day having marched in the New York City St Patrick's Day parade which is known to be the biggest in the world.”

It will start at Power Station Road and continue straight into Rhode Village. Rhode GAA is asking households along the route to decorate their homes with bunting and flags.

Meanwhile, the Edenderry St Patrick's Day Parade will take place this Sunday, starting at 2.30pm.

The parade's committee is calling on all businesses and clubs to take part in the festivities and help bring some colour to the town.