Parade committees looking forward to St Patrick’s Day

Preparations are well under way for what is traditionally one of the first parades of St Patrick's Day in Meath as Athboy gears up for the national day of celebration.

While Navan and Trim have opted against having parades this year given the tight timeframe, its all systems go across the rest of the county with parades going ahead in Athboy, Kells, Enfield, Slane, Dunboyne, Oldcastle as well as in Kingscourt and Ardee. Ratoath has decided against holding a parade and will instead hold a street festival and concert.

Fiona Hamill, secretary of Athboy St Patrick's Day Parade said: "We are going ahead. We kick off at 12.30pm in the Fair Freen. There was a lot of consultation between us all as to whether to go ahead and we contacted a few bands and once we knew they were able to do it, we were able to go ahead. We did a lot of talking to clubs and groups and the public to make sure they were happy, so we would't be taking any risks."

Fiona said all the clubs in the town were behind them and getting involved. "We have a lot of work to do over the next weeks but we are going to do our best and make sure we put on a good show. There is great support for the parade and people are keen to see it go ahead."

Kells is also gearing up to host a parade and local councillor Sean Drew said he had made contact with a number of local groups and businesses and the general feeling was that if they can at all, they should take the opportunity to have the parade.

He said: "I know it is short notice but we feel it is an opportunity after the restrictions of Covid for the last few years for families and the general public to get out and for clubs and organisations to take part in the celebration". Cllr Drew said they are encouraging representatives of locals clubs and organisations to get involved and hope as many people as possible will come on board to make it a great event.

The Enfield St Patrick's Day committee has also confirmed that they will go ahead with their parade. PRO Bill Carey said they are are honoured to have been chosen to have a colour party from an Garda Siochana lead the parade, marking 100 years of the force. They have the St Laurence Pipe Band confirmed and are hoping to have another. "We have a lot of arrangements in place in already and have been working on it for the past month."

Dunboyne has traditionally held its parade on the Sunday before St Patrick's and this year will be no different. Dunboyne's parade returns on Sunday, 13th March with the theme of 'Mighty Meath'. Local groups and organisations are encouraged to take part in what promises to be a great day of celebration in the village.

Slane has a long association with St Patrick and the local community is delighted to see the return of the village's parade this year after the two-year absence.

Paula Faulkner said the general feeling had been that they wouldn't have a parade but as soon as the restrictions were lifted they decided to ahead and straight away she went and booked everything.

"People really missed the parade and families in particular. It is a great fun day for the kids. We have balloons all around the Square and 40 people get dressed up as cartoon charactors and we have a marquee with face painting, candy floss and popcorn," she said.

There will be a street festival with live music at the Square from 2pm followed by the parade itself which is led by St Patrick who lets off doves of peace at the Square. There is a €500 prize for the best walking group and €500 for the best float.

In Oldcastle, a meeting took place last week and it was decided to go ahead with preparations now underway to get everything in place. The parade will kick off at 12 noon from the Show Hall and local businesses and community groups are being encouraged to take part.