Parade celebrates town of many cultures

ST Patrick’s Day will be celebrated in style this weekend in Ennis, with final arrangements for the festivities now confirmed.
The parade, with the theme Ennis – A Town of Many Cultures, will commence at 11am on Saturday from Ennis Courthouse and participating groups are requested to assemble at the courthouse at 10am.
The army reserve and Ennis Brass Band will attend the parade and the grand marshall on the day will be the Mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle. With over 50 groups registered to take part, it promises to be a fun, colourful and entertaining family event.
Large crowds of spectators are expected on the day and traffic management arrangements will be put in place in the interest of safety.
As in previous years, the Civil Defence volunteers will attend the parade and will manage the spectators along the route.
The traditional blessing of the shamrock will take place at the 12.15pm mass in the Cathedral. The reviewing stand will be based in the square and Ciana Campbell will be the MC on the day.
The Ennis Gospel Choir will perform in O’Connell Square from 10.30am and will provide pre-parade entertainment. In addition, Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann will provide musical entertainment in advance of the parade at Lifford.
Councillor Guilfoyle said, “I always look forward to St Patrick’s Day and, in particular, the parade. I am delighted that so many community groups have registered to take part in the parade to celebrate our national holiday. I hope that both the participants and the spectators have a very enjoyable day. I look forward to a large turnout of spectators along the route.
The parade will be followed by a pilot period of pedestrianisation in O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street only. According to town clerk Leonard Cleary, “This will give an opportunity for customers of the town to experience the benefits of pedestrianisation and to provide feedback to businesses and the local authority.
“A signage plan will be in place and street entertainment has been arranged for O’Connell Street after the parade. This will include traditional Irish music busking in the afternoon on O’Connell Street, which has been organised at a number of locations by the Arts Office. The business community have also arranged for other street entertainment.
“The overall objective is to generate a festive atmosphere for the St Patrick’s and Mothers’ Day Bank Holiday weekend and to generate business activity in the town centre linked with a cultural celebration.”
Meanwhile, local businesses have begun festooning their premises with colourful window displays in preparation for the weekend. Ennis Chamber is holding a window display competition among the shop fronts to vie for the coveted prizes of best window.
Businesses from the “Create the Magic” Customer Service initiative are sponsoring free face painting for the children on the day. Ennis Town Council will also have music and entertainment on the streets of the capital town after the parade to foster the festive atmosphere.
“The Bank Holiday Weekend is an important and eventful one, as Mothers’ Day is the following day, with retail and hospitality businesses hoping and expecting to be busy with customers.
“As a way to reward and encourage customers to shop local, Ennis Town Council will have free parking in all their car parks and on-street parking areas all day long,” said a spokesperson for Ennis Chamber.
A number of temporary road closures will take place in the town on Saturday to facilitate the parade. From 8am to 2.30pm on Saturday, there will be road closures at: Steele’s Terrace/Newbridge Road (from Kelly’s Korner roundabout to the Club Bridge); New Road from its junction with Lifford Road to Newbridge Road; College Road (local access only); Mill Road in an easterly direction from the Maid of Erin roundabout to its junction with Bindon Street; Harmony Row; Abbey Street; Francis Street from Francis Street car park to Abbey Street; O’Connell Square; O’Connell Street; Upper O’Connell Street; Old Barrack Street and Station Road from its junction with O’Connell Street to its junction with Friar’s Walk.
Ennis Town Council have also announced the temporary closure on Saturday from 2.30pm to 6pm of O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street to its junction with Station Road.