Successful St Patrick’s Day

There was a large number of participants and onlookers at Gort’s St Patrick’s Day Parade last Thursday.
The event was, once again, blessed with dry weather and with the repaving of the streets almost complete, residents and businesses took the opportunity to show the town off, with most shop windows decorated for the occasion.
The large number of entrants took part on foot, bicycles and on floats, with many opting to embrace the theme, Reeling in the Years.
Gort No-Name Club, which was promoting this week’s fashion show, was adjudged to have the best overall float.
Cahill’s HomeValue Hardware was awarded the prize for best effort, with its depiction of 1960’s TV programme The Waltons. ­Cahill’s was also awarded the prize for best commercial entry. Gort Fair-Trade committee was the runners-up in this category.
The Gallery Café were the most humorous with their entry entitled “We’re on the move” portraying their move from The Square to Bridge Street.
Their use of a large number of bicycles was ­reminiscent of the 1950s. The Orchard Centre came second in this category with their entry Bloom TV portraying the flower show as seen on TV.
In the children’s section, Busy Bees Creche was first and Gort Camogie Club was second. Gort Family Resource Centre had the best community entry and the Reach for the Stars group were runners-up as they used the occasion to promote their event in April. Gort Rugby Club had the best club entry.
“We are very proud winners in the Gort St Patrick’s day parade. Our float contrasted life in the 1950s and the lack of support for families and individuals then and life in Gort now.
“While there are still challenges to be faced, Gort Family Resource Centre can now assist people to find their way through a range of supports. Today, the centre offers a range of services ­including low-cost counselling, MABS, Employment mediation, citizens’ information, parenting alone, over-55s and men’s groups.
“We welcome people in to lend a hand or to do a course or just to have a cuppa,” said David Parslow, development worker.
The parade was lead by Gerry Coyne, grand marshall, in his top hat and tails and a colorful party of Gort Reserve Defence Force, followed by St Patrick’s Pipe Band, Tulla.
Yvonne Mulvey and Mickey Carey did the commentary as the parade passed the review stand. The reviewing committee comprised Superintendent Pat ­Murray, Commandant Brian Duffy, Linda Duffy, Bridie ­Willers MCC, Michael Fahey MCC, Gerry Finnerty MCC and Gort Chamber of Commerce, Caelan Loughrey, a student at Lurga National School who inspired the parade theme and Adrian Feeney, chairman of the parade committee and also representing Gort Community Centre.
“The theme of the parade was also catered for by an ­interesting vintage display held on The Square. Francis Linnane, Gort, and his helpers carried out a display of vintage threshing. David Curley, Gort, showed his unusual timber plough as well as a two-stone weight from the 1920s, recovered from Hynes’ Mill, Gort. Other working vintage machinery was supplied by Tony Adams, Gort, Sean Collins and Michael O’Dwyer, Sixmilebridge, Paddy Joe McMahon, Boston, Tubber and Dara Leonard, Slieveanoir.
The weapons display by Gort Reseve Defence Force attracted a lot of attention.
“Without the support of the gardaí, the participants, stewards, sponsors and all who helped the parade would not have been such a success,” said Padraic Giblin of Gort Parade Committee.