All-Ireland winners lauded at parade

THE victorious St Thomas’ hurlers were given a rapturous welcome when they took part in the Gort St Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday.
The team members, fresh from their win in Croke Park the previous day, were carried through the streets on a special float with the county and All-Ireland cups.

Afterwards, team captain Robert Murray addressed the crowd from the review stand and paid tribute to Minihane’s SuperValu and the people of South Galway and North Clare for their support.

The parade was, once again, blessed with beautiful weather and this helped to bring a large audience to the town and encourage a big number of participants, both on foot and on floats.

After the traditional blessing of the shamrock and its distribution to a colour party of the Reserve Defence Force, the parade moved off, led by grand marshall Fr Tommy Marrinan PP and St Patrick’s Pipe Band, Tulla.

The parade theme of The Gathering caught the imagination of the participants with, in one case, a gathering of eight of the nine main Irish breeds of dogs, believed to be only the second time for these breeds to be assembled together in Ireland. The breeds present were: Irish wolfhound (owned by Patricia Keniry, Ballinasloe); Irish water spaniel (Pat Finnerty, Woodford); red setter (Johnny Moran, Gort); red and white setter (Rose Kelly); Kerry beagle (Ger Loughnane); Irish terrier (Maura Mahon, Gort); Glen of Imall (Jarlath Burns, Galway) and Irish wheaten terrier (Tommy O’Donnell and Vera Killeen, Gort). The remaining breed, the Kerry blue, was not represented.

The Gallery Café was judged to have the best overall float at the parade. The award for best effort went to the Unicorn Gathering by Hennelly’s Pub, Gort. The Popemobile by Billy Kilroy and friends was the most humorous.

The best children’s’ entry was by Michael Nelly, Limerick, while the best commercial float was awarded to McMahon’s Oil, Kinvara with their entry, Killinascully. St Thomas’ hurlers was the best community entry.

The award for best school entry went to Kilbeacanty National School with The Global Gathering. Most topical went to the Gathering of Irish Dog Breeds assembled by Gerry O’Donoghue, Gort. Gerry Horan, Ennistymon had the best vintage car and the best vintage tractor was owned by Paddy Joyce, Castledaly.
Taking part in the working vintage displays were Francis Linnane, David Curley, Tony Adams, Tom Scully, all of Gort; Sean Collins and Jason Quinn, Sixmilebridge and Paddy Joe McMahon, Boston, Tubber.

The parade was reviewed by Minister of State Ciarán Cannon, Independent Galway County Councillor Michael Fahy, Fianna Fáil Councillor Gerry Finnerty and Fine Gael Councillor Bridie Willers, as well as Paddy Grealish, chairman, Gort Chamber of Commerce and Adrian Feeney, chairman of the parade committee. Mr Feeney acknowledged all the participants, the gardaí, supporters, stewards and volunteers for their help, while Mickey Carey gave a very lively commentary as the parade passed the review stand.

The members of the parade committee are president, Seamus Killeen; chairman, Adrian Feeney; secretary/PRO, Pádraic Giblin; treasurer, Siobhán Bell; safety officer, John Lally; Noel Corless, Mary Moloney, Tommie O’Donnell, Bríd Quinn and Pat Smyth.