RECORD ENTRIES FOR FERMOY ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE
A record number of 43 entries have registered to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Fermoy. Chairman of the committee John Murphy said that a record number of scout groups have also registered and it is 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.”
SPECTACULAR SIGHT
“This large group should be a spectacular sight. Another highlight this year is the Evolution Arts Project who have joined up with the Dinosaur Museum from Castletownroche and we can only imagine what they will come up with. Let’s hope the weather is kind to us on the day,” John told The Avondhu.
Committee secretary, Donal O Lochlainn is delighted with the response, “Last year broke all records for entries in the parade at 29. This time there are 45 entries registered as of Tuesday morning, and some more are expected, as one or two of the regulars have not yet registered.”
“The weather forecast has also greatly improved so we now expect that it will not rain on our parade which starts at 11am from Cavanagh’s Garage and finishes at Pearse Square. All of the restaurants in Fermoy have been asked to provide food and warm drinks on the streets to feed the large crowd expected.”
Bring a friend or a neighbour as all is now ready and we hope you enjoy the parade. Please refer to the www.fermoypatricksday.com website to see where you are positioned in the parade,” Mr O Lochlainn said.
VOLUNTARY WORK
Chief steward, Diarmuid Gowen said that this year’s parade promises to be bigger and better than before.
“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 see the 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 see how lucky Fermoy and its wonderful surrounding villages are in their clubs and societies.”
YOUNGEST ENTRIES
Parade MC, Niall Cremen said that a 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 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.”
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.
CIVIC RECEPTION
To mark the occasion of Ruderclub Germania 1904 visiting Fermoy for the parade, a civic reception will take place on Friday, March 18 in the town hall. Due to the huge numbers expected to attend, this year’s parade will finish up in Pearse Square.
The square will be cordoned off from O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar to Allied Irish Bank to make the three lanes of road a stage for the parade. Some of the participants will also give a two-minute performance on a stage in the square.
Sgt James Hallahan, of Fermoy gardai confirmed that parking would be restricted from Abbey Street to Richmond Hill and on Pearse Square.
“The advice is do not cross the bridge to find car parking. The mart and the library car parks will be open and parking is free of charge throughout Fermoy.”
Published:
Saturday 19th March 12:02pm
