Rain fails to dampen spirits during parade

Rain did not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people who marched in the Dundalk St Patrick’s Day parade, which was watched by thousands who braved the incessant rain to view more than 50 groups take part.

The first parade in four years was one of the largest ever, with a huge number of groups, businesses and organisations taking part under the theme Urban Green, which saw electric vehicles, velocycles, bikes and walkers to the fore.

Boxer Amy Broadhurst and athlete Kate O’Connor were the parade marshals and their enthusiasm was undeterred by the weather

All the groups, from the huge entry from Dundalk RFC, to the smallest, smiled their way through the downpour to give their community the very best spectacle.

There was a particularly poignant moment when members of the Defence Forces paused in front of the viewing stand in Clanbrassil Street to salute the grandparents of Private Sean Rooney, who was killed on duty for UNIFIL in Lebanon at the end of last year.

Rachel and Eugene Rooney carried a photo of their beloved grandson on the stand and were special guests of the Dundalk St Patrick’s Day parade committee.

Three awards were up for grabs for the parade entrants and the judges from the parade’s main sponsors, Louth County Council, Dundalk Credit Union and PayPal had a very difficult job deciding.

The Best Overall Entrant, sponsored by Louth County Council, went to Dance Kids Blues Brothers, while the Best Commercial Entrant, sponsored by PayPal was awarded to the electric vehicles of Blackstone Motors, and the Best Youth Entrant, sponsored by Dundalk Credit Union, was given to McGee School of Dance.

There were many eye-catching moments in the parade, including the Louth County Council floats, designed and made by Louth-based artist, Uli Liebetrau.

Dundalk actor Alvaro Lucchesi was St Patrick on the first float, surrounded by huge handmade shamrocks, while Louth Rose Emma Barry defied the rain in the second float which featured oversized Spring flowers and garden creatures.

The Dundalk St Patrick’s Day parade voluntary committee, which is made up of councillors Conor Keelan and Maeve Yore, along with Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú, Shane McBride, Dagan Fleming, Maria O’Toole and Anne Campbell, said they were pleased with the turnout for the parade.

Chairperson Cllr. Keelan said: ‘It was a huge undertaking for a small committee in a very short space of time, but we had a tremendous response from local groups and businesses who wanted to take part.

‘I think, from the numbers of participants, it was one of the biggest parades ever in Dundalk.

The committee wishes to thank all those who took part, who stood in the rain at the start line and then marched in the rain.

We wish to thank in particular the Defence Forces for their wonderful show of kindness to the Rooney family.

‘We also have to mention the incredible support received from Louth Civil Defence, who were among the first to arrive on Friday morning and the last to go home.

‘In addition, those who volunteered to help us on the day through the Louth Volunteer Centre worked really hard in difficult conditions to ensure things went as smoothly as possible.

‘Thanks also to Regina O’Hare and the stewards from Oriel Park, and Dundalk Gardaí for their assistance. We want to thank the MCs Mickey Duffy and Marissa Lucchesi for their professionalism and entertaining commentary.

‘We also are very grateful to the parade sponsors Louth County Council, PayPal, Dundalk Credit Union, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Oriel Windfarm, Digiweb, SEO Solutions, Dundalk BIDS, BK Forklifts, Print Express, Pelican Promotions, Digital Screen Displays, Control Soft, V&W Recycling, Phoenix Waste, Sevens and Stage and Lighting.

‘We have a lot of learning from this parade and we know we can improve things. Work is starting already this week on next year and we look forward to it getting even better’.

Cllr. Keelan said the committee was particularly grateful to the music groups who played at the Market Square after the parade, again despite the weather.

He said the committee was pleased with the way the family fun zone, which was free, was received by the public.

Cllr. Keelan also stated that the committee were delighted with the positive response to the wheelchair access platform which allowed wheelchair users to view the parade in comfort.

He said all participants adhered to the request to switch off lights, sounds and sirens for the final stretch of the parade to allow those with sensory issues to enjoy the experience.