People to ‘Come Together’ as parades return to streets

ST Patrick’s Day parade celebrations return to the Banner County this week for the first time since 2019. People all over the county, from the young to the young at heart, will be donning their green, white and gold to join in the festivities on Thursday. Large crowds are expected to attend parades throughout Clare after Covid-19 halted the annual commemoration of our national holiday in recent years.
In Fanore celebrations got off to an early start with their parade taking place last Sunday. Organisers hailed it a “huge success” with a few small showers not dampening the spirits of those who came out on the day.
The Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 11am on Thursday will be the county’s biggest event with colourful floats, dance groups and musicians just some of the things to enjoy.
The theme of this year’s Ennis parade is ‘Coming Together’ with Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton saying she cannot wait to see people on the streets enjoying themselves in a safe manner.
“I’m particularly looking forward to seeing our younger generation getting out and reconnecting, the last two years have been very difficult for them. The parade has always been a great way for groups of young people to showcase their talents and many of these youngsters were doing online classes through the pandemic.
“This is about re-connecting with each other in real life rather than from behind screens. I’m looking forward to meeting people and talking to people and seeing the excitement in the eyes of children at the parade.”
Joining the mayor as grand marshals at the parade will be nurse Mhairi Barron, Ennis Hospital UHL; Dr Bruce O’Donnell, Ennis Medical; and Julia Fitzgibbon Hayes, Family Support Worker, Enable Ireland with Councillor Norton saying she believes it is important to honour frontline workers who have played such an important role in the fight against Covid-19.
She adds that people attending the parade should also be aware of the need to respect other people’s space and keep safe as “we still have high numbers of Covid.”

by Jessica Quinn