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Thursday 17th March 2022
Cabo Roig, 10th Anniversary Parade
Help to celebrate ten years of St Patrick’s Day Parades in Cabo Roig fter a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Cabo Roig’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns for 2022. From the excitement and run-away success of the very first Parade in 2011, this year we celebrate the tenth running of Spain’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been recognised as one of the largest, if not the largest, in mainland Europe.
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This year, the parade has returned to its roots and the event will take place on Thursday, March 17th, 2022, along the Cabo Roig Strip, starting at 3.00pm. Over the years, the parade has attracted upwards of 10,000 spectators, and since we all have been starved of entertainment and fiestas over the past 24-months, this year could be one of the biggest ever. My advice would be to arrive early, park the car or better yet, get dropped off, so you enjoy a tipple or three, along with the intoxicating atmosphere. The Irish are not only known for their sense of humour, a bit of craic, their love of a little libation and then some, but also for their love and giving nature. St. Patrick’s Day, which you may also know as St. Paddy’s Day, has some specific traditions, which we hope you will encompass to help you get into the spirit of the day. These include, the wearing of the green, having a little drink , especially if it’s drop of the dark stuff in Guinness or Murphy’s Stout, plus dancing, singing and generally having a great time.
By Keith Nicol This year, our Grand Marshall is STEVE COLLINS. A true Irish legend, this Irish former professional boxer, who retired in 1997, was known as the Celtic Warrior. Collins is by far the most successful Irish male boxer in recent professional boxing history, having held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles simultaneously and never losing a fight as champion. He also beat both Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, not once but twice. Don’t miss out on the ‘craic; of this year’s Cabo Roig St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Come and join in the fun and help make this one of the best events that everyone will talk about for years to come.
While there may only be two types of people you will find at the parade: those who are Irish and those that wish they were, the Irish also say; “On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish”, so everyone will be welcomed with open arms and we hope each and everyone, has a fantastic time. Traditionally, just before the Parade starts, there will be short speeches and addresses from the dignitaries. Once they have been completed, the parade proper starts, led by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, Saint Patrick himself and the Parade Grand Marshall, dignitaries and former military staff, along with their military standards. They are followed by a variety of street performers, dancers and floats from many Spanish Brotherhoods, local pubs, restaurants and local businesses. I’m assured that this year the parade will be more colourful and more spectacular than ever in true Spanish carnival style, and we all know just how good our adopted nation is in putting on an extravagant parade.
This publication was produced on behalf of Asociación ‘CABO ROIG STRIP’ and Ayto Orihuela by The Leader Newspaper - Tel 637 227 385
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te, marks his grave. For those who celebrate its intended meaning, St Patrick’s Day is a day for spiritual renewal.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST PARADE? The first St Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland at all, but in Boston in the United States in 1737. This was followed by an “official” parade in New York in 1766. Ireland was a little further behind with the first parade held in Waterford in 1903, while Dublin joined the club back in 1931. Today, the parade in Dublin is a huge, colourful, theatrical event that snakes through the historic city centre, with vivid displays and international bands.
WHO INVENTED ST PATRICK’S DAY?
WHY 17 MARCH? Simple – the date marks the saint’s death. Patrick died in 461 in Saul, County Down. It was here that he had established his first church in a small and simple barn, after arriving nearby at the mouth of the Slaney River. He is buried in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick and a memorial stone, made from local Mourne Mountain grani-
Raise your glasses to Luke Wadding, an Irish Franciscan friar from Waterford whose persistent efforts turned March 17 into a feast day. Born in 1558, Wadding died in Rome on 1657 and his remains are interred there in the college of St Isidore’s, which he founded. If you visit the National Gallery, you can see a painting of the friar by Carlo Maratta, while in Waterford city he is commemorated with a statue outside the French Church (Greyfriars).
New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the world's largest parades. Since 1762, roughly 250,000 marchers have traipsed up 5th Avenue on foot with another 2 million watching from the sidewalks. In 1999 the Grand Marshall was Maureen O’Hara, only the 3rd woman ever to be so.
The odds of finding a four-leaf clover are not exaggerated so ifyou find one, spray it with hair-spray, stick it in a laminated folder, and frame it on your wall with the caption “I win at life” beneath it, because you may never find another one…ever again.
St Patrick was born in Scotland or Wales. Rumour has it that when he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by pirates and held in captivity in Ireland for six years where he found religion. He eventually escaped but later returned as a Christian missionary.
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YOUR GRAND MARSHALL T
his year's Grand Marshall is boxer Steve Collins, known as the 'Celtic Warrior' during a career that spanned from 1986 to 1997. Collins, 57, is the most successful male Irish boxer in recent professional boxing history, having held the WBO middleweight and supermiddleweight titles simultaneously - never losing a fight as champion. Born in Cabra, Dublin, Collins had 36 wins from 39 fights, with 21 being knockouts.
(USA) in 1986, working out of Petronelli Brothers gym in Brockton, Massachusetts, alongside Marvin Hagler. After reaching 16-0, Collins stepped in as a substitute in a WBA middleweight title fight, after Michael Watson was injured in training, and fought 12 rounds against Mike McCallum in Boston in 1990. Collins moved to Belfast under Barney
Eastwood, before basing himself in England joining Barry Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. In 1994, Collins finally won a world title by defeating Chris Pyatt by stoppage in five rounds, to become the WBO middleweight champion. In 1995, Chris Eubank (41-0-2) had been scheduled to have a third WBO super-middleweight title fight against Ray Close, but
Collins' first 19 professional fights took place in the United States. In 1988 he won the Irish middleweight title, and the regional American USBA middleweight title the following year, defending the latter successfully in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Collins won 26 Irish titles as an amateur, before turning professional in Boston, Massachusetts
Collins defeated the then unbeaten long-reigning champion Eubank by unanimous decision, to win the WBO super-middleweight title. In 1995 in a rematch in Cork, Collins changed his usual fighting style by adopting wild, brawling tactics throughout, which Eubank struggled to deal with and Collins won by a split decision. Collins successfully defended his WBO supermiddleweight title seven times, including two fights against Nigel Benn in 1996. Collins who retired in 1999, came out of retirement to fight Roy Jones Jr., WBA light heavyweight champion.
Collins fulfilled his potential, becoming WBO middleweight champion in his third world title attempt, with a fifth-round TKO victory over Chris Pyatt in 1994, before moving up in weight to defeat the undefeated Chris Eubank and claim the WBO super-middleweight title in 1995. Collins successfully defended his title by winning the rematch against Eubank later in the year and successfully defended his title another six times, before pulling out of a proposed fight in October 1997 against Joe Calzaghe, and retiring from the sport.
Close was forced to withdraw after failing an MRI brain scan and Collins stepped in, moving up to super-middleweight.
Collins, set to fight Joe Calzaghe, collapsed during a sparring session with Howard Eastman. Tests and a brain scan could not find any problems, but Collins decided it was a warning to stop boxing, and retired for a second time.
By Andrew Atkinson
Collins held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles simultaneously.
Marvelous Marvin Halger was a big influence on Collins who idolised him: "Rubbing shoulders with a legend like Hagler in the gym every day was incredible. It was a tough way to learn your trade, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world," said Collins. Collins won the last 15 fights of his career, the last nine of which were world title fights.
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YOUR PLACE IN THE SUN Blue Flag beaches along the Orihuela Costa. A wonderful oasis on the mediterranean that can be enjoyed all-year round
Orihuela Costa has 17 km of coastline with fine sand beaches surrounded by cliffs, small islands, long beaches and charming marinas. Here you can enjoy sunshine 300 days of the year on some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Most of these have the “Q” mark for Tourist Quality, awarded by the Ministry of Industry, and possess the prized Blue Flag awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education. This certifies that the beaches have passed the checks on environmental conditions and the availability of adequate services. Some of the best are shown below. CALA BOSQUE BEACH (LA ZENIA) Cala Bosque, located south of Hotel Servigroup La Zenia hotel, is one of the most visited beaches in Orihuela. Its 350-metre length is borde red by Cala Cerrada to the north and Cala Capitán in the south. It was deservedly awarded the sought-after Blue Flag due to the qua lity of its services. It is a fine-sand beach, making if perfect for practi cing sports or for enjoying a nice sunny day relaxing on a sun lounger. Among the numerous services it offers are a first class beach bar, lifeguards, spe cial access paths for people with disabilities, car parking, bus stops, a children’s play area. CALA CAPITÁN (BETWEEN LA ZENIA AND CABO ROIG) Cala Capitán is small in size. It is 157 metres long and has a width of 86 metres. It is bounded by a strip of land that separates it from other beaches such as Cala Bosque to the north and Cabo Roig to the south. It has fine sand and calm waters, and is the proud beneficiary of the Blue Flag and the Tourist Quality “Q” mark. It offers a walkway, parking, wheelchair access, first-aid stations and boat slipways. There are also two small islands opposite the beach, which are great fun for adults and children.
CALA ESTACA ESTACA / FLAMENCA BEACH Cala Estaca is bounded to the north by Cala Mosca and to the south by Cala Cerrada. It is 150 metres long and has fine white sand. Due to its state of conservation and the services it offers, it too has been awarded the prized Blue Flag by the European Foundation for Environmental Education. Its services include a promenade, walkways, showers, car parks, lifeguard stations and a kid's play area. CALA MOSCA / FLAMENCA BEACH Cala Mosca is 100 metres long and is bounded by Cala Estaca to the south and Punta Prima to the north. The beach is very clean and offers Golden sand and turquoise waters. It can be accessed from the N-332 road in the direction of Alicante. It has a walkway, all necessary services, and along it are a wide range of restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine.
PUNTA PUNTA PRIMA BEACH Punta Prima is a small beach with white and golden sand, and bounded to the south by Cala Mosca and to the north by the beaches of Torrevieja. It extends for LA GLEA BEACH CAMPOAMOR This beach is one of the largest in Orihuela. Awarded the “Q” mark for Tourist Quality, it is 650 metres long and 20 metres wide, bounded to the north by Aguamarina cove and to the south by Barranco Rubio beach. Its fine sand and wide variety of games for children of all ages makes it perfect for enjoying family get-togethers or sports activities. To the north
more than 200 metres and has Blue Flag status. Just a few metres from this beach is a rocky stretch which is highly recommended for sports fishing with a rod. It is also
of the beach is the wonderful marina of Dehesa de Campoamor, where you can practice all kinds of water sports. This is undoubtedly the best equipped beach in the area and it has numerous services including foot washing stations and showers, a first-aid station, beach bars, car park and restaurants.
bordered by a small walkway. It has all the necessary services, including showers, foot washing stations, lifeguard stations, car park, bus stop and a small restaurant.
CABO ROIG BEACH (CALETA) (CALETA) The blue flag Cabo Roig beach, surrounded by beautiful coves and alongside a wonderful marina, is bounded to the north by the various coves of La Zenia and to the south by the coves of Aguamarina. It is 420 metres long and 18 metres wide.
The beach is located in a semi-urban area. It has fine soft sand and access is by steps and ramps. It offers a wide variety of services for sun and sea lovers, including a chiringuito, sailing and windsurfing.
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The stories behind the songs 1998 – Orinoco Flow by Enya Taken from the album ‘Watermark’ the song was a global success. Written by Enya and her lyricist Roma Ryan and named after Orinoco Studios, London where it was recorded and the river of the same name. Enya was signed to Warner Music Group by Rob Dickins, who served as executive producer of ‘Watermark’, and the song pays homage to him in the line "with Rob Dickins at the wheel". It received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Music Video and Best New Age Performance at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards.
1976 – The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy There are many theories regarding the inspiration behind ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’, although none has been verified. One theory is that it is about the Quality Street Gang who operated in Manchester, England, in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Although considered by some senior officers in the Greater Manchester Police to be the instigators of much of Manchester's major crime, many others believed that the gang was nothing more than a social friendship between a group of men. Written by lead singer Phil Lynott, it’s considered to be the band’s most popular song.
1967 – Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison Written by Van himself (Sir George Ivan Morrison to be precise), the song featured American R&B girl group ‘The Sweet Inspirations’ singing back-up vocals. After finishing his contract with Decca Records and the mid-1966 break-up of his band Them’, he returned to Belfast seeking a new recording company. When he received a phone call from Bert Berns, owner of Bang Records, he flew to New York City and hastily signed a contract. During a two-day recording session starting 28 March 1967, he recorded eight songs intended to be used as four singles. The recording session took place at A & R Studios and "Brown Eyed Girl" was captured on the 22nd take on the first day.
1987 – With Or Without You – U2
Taken from the album ‘The Joshua Tree’, a troubled love song the song inspired by Bono's conflicting feelings about the lives he led as a musician and domestic man. The band's manager, Paul McGuinness, was resistant to U2 releasing the song as a single, as he thought it was too unusual. Irish Singer and Songwriter Gavin Friday, having helped the band complete the track, disagreed and thought it would be a "certain No. 1". In the NBC sitcom Friends, the song is the theme song of the relationship between Ross Geller and Rachel Green. It is first played on The One with the List, wherein Ross apologizes to Rachel for the list he made.
1993 – Linger – The Cranberries Composed by band members Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan, it was the band’s first major hit. When Dolores was auditioned as the lead singer for the band, she wrote the lyrics, turning it into a song of regret based on an experience with a 17year-old soldier she once fell in love with. In an interview for NME, guitarist Noel Hogan said of the song: It's only really since Dolores passed away that I've grown a pro-
per appreciation for songs like 'Linger' and 'Dreams'. They were just songs in the set list for us; everybody else was losing their mind about them. And when I listen to them now I realise how great they are for someone so young, which I never, ever appreciated at the time. We must have played it a gazillion times in our lives and it just becomes a part of the set, but it's different now. We're so lucky to have left that behind, to have that legacy. Dolores O’ Riordan sadly passed away aged just 46 in January 2018
by Julie McKracken
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Thursday 17th March 2022 environment.
CELEBRATING ST PATRICK’S DAY WITH CHIRINGUITOS DEL SOL
We are also very excited because we will once again be organising many major sporting events on our beaches, such as the Children's Football Tournament and the Beach Volleyball Tournament, in addition to continuing with the extremely popular Yoga sessions. We will also be introducing many new activities such as Zumba and Latin Dances.
What does it mean for Chiringuitos del Sol to celebrate St. Patrick's Day once again? Joining with the Saint Patrick's festivities represents an important turning point in 2022. In addition to the joy of being able to celebrate the day with our friends and clients, it is important for us to convey the message that we continue to work toward achieving 100% normality, which we are all getting closer to day by day. The Beach Bar at La Caleta (Cabo Roig)
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t Chiringuitos del Sol we have always felt especially committed to Orihuela Costa and its people. In this year, in which it finally seems that, little by little, we are returning to normality, it is an immense joy for us to be able to contribute toward the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day with our many clients and friends.” Thomas Herteux, CEO of Chiringuitos del
Sol, shares with us the magic of his involvement, once again, in Saint Patrick’s Day, and tells us just how he and his team are preparing for the 2022 summer season.
How does Chiringuitos del Sol look forward to 2022? The truth is that we are especially motivated as we believe that this year our coast will,
These have been very hard years for us and for the entire sector. We have adapted and stood firm against all of the dark days that have gone beforehand, and now, being able to celebrate St Patrick, along with the many other events and activities that are being arranged in the area, it is a reason for special joy for all of us who contribute toward the Chiringuitos del Sol family.
once again, look like it did before the pandemic. Our entire team is already working hard to prepare for a season in which we hope to be at full capacity on the 11 Orihuela beaches, so that we are again able to offer all of our visitors the very best service.
Finally, what message would you give to all those who do not know Orihuela Costa and are planning to visit the area?
Fortunately, we work in an amazing area and we are sure that our visitors will be eager to return and to enjoy our wonderful facilities and coastline.
You have told us about events. What have you prepared in this regard?
I could be all day talking about the wonderful attractions of our Coast. It is an incredible area, a wonderful place, with many spectacular beaches and coves, and with all the essential services that you will need to enjoy them to the fullest. We are the Spanish Coastline with the most Blue Flags for a reason. I would say, without any doubt, that Orihuela Costa is a special destination.
On the one hand, we are very aware of the importance of care and respect for the environment. For this reason, in addition to adapting our operations and trying to reduce plastic on the beaches as much as we possibly can, we will carry out awareness-raising measures that will involve the whole family. We intend to contribute as much as we can to the care of our
Every corner of it deserves to be explored, as you can spend your days relaxing and enjoying the sun, the beaches, all of our wonderful gastronomy, entertainment venues and shops, which, together with our people, make up a unique and exclusive destination on the Costa Blanca.
Chiringuitos del Sol CEO Thomas Herteux
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Round and about St Patrick’s Day in Irish History 1777 - Patrick Brontë, originally Brunty; clergyman and father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne, is born in Ballynaskeagh, Co. Down. 1839 - John B. Yeats, painter and father of William Butler and Jack B. Yeats, is born in Tullylish, Co. Down 1903 - St Patrick's Day is declared a bank holiday. 1927 - Cairbre, the lion used to introduce Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer films was born in Dublin Zoo.
1949 - Snooker player and two time world-champion Alex "Hurricane" Higgins was born in Belfast. 1955 - Belfast born Singer Ruby Murray scores five simultaneous hits in the British charts. 1959 - RTÉ interviews Ireland's first ban garda (female police officer), Mary Brown from Roscommon. 1970 - Dana (Rosemary Brown) wins the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with 'All Kinds of Everything'. 1976 - Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was born in Dublin. He sadly passed away aged just 33 in October 2009. 1998 - The US Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith, confirms she will leave her post after US Independence Day celebrations in Dublin on July 4th. In the same year Cork athlete Sonia O'Sullivan won
a gold medal in the World Cross-Country championships. 1999 - The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Jim McDaid, unveils plans to commemorate the Year 2000. Commencing on St. Patrick's Day, "The Party Starts Here," is the official title of a 21-month long series of events, which will link over 300 separate festivals 2000 - Hundreds of sprigs of shamrock are airlifted from Ireland by the RAF to Irish regiments of the British Army around the world in accordance with a decree issued by Queen Victoria 100 years ago. It is exactly 100 years since the queen decrees that all Irish regiments of the British Army wear a shamrock in their head dress on St Patrick’s Day to commemorate the bravery of Irish troops during the Boer War.
Cabo Roig, 10th Anniversary Parade 2001 - For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II sends a special St. Patrick's Day greeting to President Mary McAleese. Publicans in Westport, Co. Mayo call time on hen and stag parties. Bar owners in Westport, Co Mayo say the revellers are no longer welcome and will not be served in the town’s 44 pubs and Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, announces that she is stepping down from her post, saying she thinks she can do more outside the "restraints" of the UN system. 2006 – An Eczema gene is identified in a study led by Irish doctors. The findings are regarded as the first steps towards finding a cure. The study was led by Dr Alan Irvine from Enniskillen, a consultant paediatric dermatologist at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, and Professor Irwin McLean from Ballymoney, a geneticist at the University of Dundee in Scotland.
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