Children's entertainment planned before and after Tullamore parade
The Tullamore St Patrick's Day Parade Committee has organised special entertainment for younger children before and after this year's parade on Sunday, March 17.
In an effort to ensure that everyone can enjoy the day, a sensory friendly space is being planned in O'Connor Square, and there will also be accessible viewing space for wheelchair users and older people.
"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," said Cllr Sean O'Brien, parade secretary.
"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 St," said Cllr O'Brien.
"There will be entertainment before the parade, provided by Tullamore Comhaltas, at the review stand, this will start at 10.45 a.m.
"At 11.10am our Grand Marshal, Brian Cowen, will address the large crowd expected and cut the ribbon to launch the 2024 parade.
"People are encouraged to come early to enjoy the entertainment. Leading the parade will be the Colour Party, followed by the very impressive Army Band."
The parade is due to start at 11.30am sharp. The assembly point is the car park of the Bridge Centre, and all groups are asked to be there by 11am at the latest.
The parade this year has an Irish cultural theme of: "EIRE-CULTUR TRI CEOL, CAINT, CRAIC AGUS SIOCHAIN AR FUD AN DOMHAIN". All entries are asked to include some aspect of the theme in their entry.
There is still time to enter the parade, and entry for community groups is free. Those interested are asked to email: seanobrientullamore@gmail.com
More details are available on the parade's website: www.stpatricksdaytullamore.com