HUGE INTEREST IN FERMOY PARADE
As of Wednesday, March 9, with 5 days to go before online registration closes, 30 groups had registered to take part in the St Patrick’s Day celebration in Fermoy on the www.fermoypatricksday.com website.
Committee secretary, Donal O Lochlainn, told The Avondhu that anyone who does not register before 5pm on Monday, March 14 will not be allocated a place in the parade and judging of the best business premises will take place on Tuesday, March 15.
Speaking about entries this year, parade M.C., Niall Cremen, told The Avondhu, “A very recent addition to this year’s parade will be the Mini Mozarts, marching for the first time.
"These are youngsters between the ages of 5 and 10 who are being introduced to music basics through games and participation with Niamh Ryan. These children started last September and have recently been learning the recorder.
"This will prepare them to go on to learn a more ‘grown up’ instrument in the future from the wide selection on offer from the Fermoy Concert Band.”
RECORD NUMBER
As always, another highlight of the parade will be the Fermoy Community Pre-school Playgroup. This group never fails to delight those watching. This year their theme will be ‘The Princess and the Frog’, no doubt inspired by the impending royal events.
Chairman, John Murphy said, “A record number of scout groups have also registered and it expected that between 150 and 200 scouts will march. This huge mobilisation of scouts from Fermoy and its surrounding villages is as a result of Glanworth man, Michael John Shinnick, chief scout of Ireland, being the grand marshal. This large group alone should be a spectacular sight.”
Another highlight this year is the Evolution Arts Project who has joined up with the Dinosaur Museum from Castletownroche and we can only imagine what they will come up with.
PEARSE SQ. FINISH
The parade this year will finish in Pearse Square as Patrick Street is no longer big enough to accommodate the large numbers watching the parade.
“We will be setting up a stage in front of the review stand where some groups will perform before, during and after the parade. This operation will require Pearse Square to be cordoned off from about 10am to possibly 2pm. This will result in traffic delays and even though it will be possible to use O’Neill Crowley Quay, Richmond Hill and College Road, it is recommended to take the bypass if you are planning journeys in the area,” John Murphy added.
Sgt James Hallahan of Fermoy gardai told The Avondhu, “Parking will be restricted from Abbey Street to Richmond Hill and on Pearse Square. This means a loss of approximately 50 spaces, so the advice is not try and cross the bridge to find car parking spaces.”
FREE PARKING
“The mart and the library car parks will be open and parking is free of charge throughout the town,” committee secretary, Donal O Lochlainn said.
Diarmuid Gowen, concluded, “This year’s parade promises to be bigger and better than before, all we need now is a dry day. The Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade has grown over the years into a wonderful show of voluntary involvement in youth development, from toddlers to teens.”
“When you see how well turned out the participants are you will get an example of professionalism applied to everyday voluntary work. You will also see the very positive and enthusiastic approach that many have to community involvement, but mostly you will realise just how lucky Fermoy and its wonderful surrounding villages are with their clubs and societies.”
Published:
Thursday 10th March 5:27pm
