Preparations underway for this year's Tullamore St Patrick's Day parade

Planing is well underway for this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Tullamore.

The parade will start at 11.30am on Tuesday, March 17. The assembly point will be the car park of the Bridge Shopping Centre and the route will take in High Street, Bridge Street, Colmcille Street, over the Kilbeggan Bridge and onto Arden Road, before finishing at the GAA centre.

"We have a great committee on board again this year and we are really looking forward to another great St Patrick's Day parade in Tullamore," said parade secretary Sean O'Brien.

"Official letters are being sent to all organisations this week with all the details for the parade. We are asking all entrants to begin their preparations now."

He added that the theme for this year's parade is 'Beannachtai La Fheile Phadraig' or the 'Blessings of the Festival of St Patrick' on one and all.

"We want to remind people of the important part St Patrick plays in our history and heritage. It is our special national day, celebrated all over the world.

"Everyone is welcome to celebrate this great occasion and to join us in the parade. We ask all participants to reflect this Theme in their entry," Sean O'Brien added.

At the recent AGM of the parade committee, the following officers were elected: Joint Presidents: John O' Toole and Johnny O'Connor; Chairperson: Frankie O'Reilly; Vice Chairperson: Martin O' Connor; Secretary/PRO, Sean O'Brien; Assistant Secretaries: Jenny O'Connor and Paddy Doheny; Treasurer: Catherine Galvin; Assistant Treasurer: Kevin Boyce; Social Media Co-Ordinator: Shane Murray; Review Stand Manager: Jenny O'Connor; Safety Officer, Johnny O' Connor; Committee members: John Plunkett, Mick Plunkett, Yvonne Kerry, Jim McGovern.

Contacts for the Parade are: Frankie O'Reilly 087 2287550; Sean O'Brien 086 3892854; Johnny O'Connor 087 2602487 and Martin O'Connor 083 1017012.