Great community backing for Clara parade
For the second consecutive year the Clara St. Patrick's Day parade showed another increase in community participation. All three local schools attended, as did parents and pupils from Horseleap NS.
Scoil Phroinsius highlighted the role Clara played in the development of radio, Aladdin was the theme of Ardscoil Chiarain's entry, while the Scoil Bhride entry featured a number of colourful characters. The Clara swimming pool, Clara Heritage Society, family resource centre, Clara Scout Group, musical society, Clara Town FC and Clara GAA were all represented. Clara gun and game club used the event to publicise their forthcoming charity clay shoot while the local fire crew appealed for locals to consider the fire brigade as a career, with a local recruitment drive forthcoming. Rahan's Ray Larkin reminded the spectators to look after their mental health while the Ballbreakers motorcycle club brought a large entry of high powered motorbikes.
St. Patrick himself appeared and was happy to mingle with the large crowd. Vintage entries from counties Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon featured a wide variety of trucks, cars and tractors dating from the 1950s to the 1990s while Gerry North was present, as usual with another restored vintage entry.
Commercial entries included DG Transport, Annaharvey chauffeur services and Healy and Sons tarmacadam. Local fashion business Classy and Elegant hosted a number of American tourists who were all celebrating their 60th birthdays this year. The group were invited to take up position on the reviewing stand after marching in the parade. There was music during the parade from Clara and Mullingar town bands, Rahan Comhaltas and Concannon academy while entertainment before the parade was supplied by Alex Roe, PJ Quaid, Conroy dancers, Durrow dancers and James Kinsella ceili band.
This year's parade was officially opened by brothers Danny and Patrick Rabbette, Anna Orman and Tara McGrath, from the Clara heritage society, were the grand marshals while Trevor Kavanagh performed the national anthem. Ahead of the parade a presentation was made by parade organiser Bertie McMahon to new councillor Sandy Feehan-Smollen. Councillor Feehan-Smollen received a plaque for her husband Ken Smollen, in recognition of his charity work prior to his current illness.
Another presentation was made to Aoife Conroy from Mullingar in memory of her late grandfather Ollie Conroy who featured in the parades for over 30 years. Presentation of prizes will take place in Dolan's pub on March 29.