Everyone invited to get involved in the St Patrick’s Day parade
By Mary Dennehy
PLANS are in motion for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Tallaght, and everyone is invited to get involved.
This is the third year the community-led parade has marched through Tallaght village, with thousands of locals lining the streets last year to celebrate and cheer on their hometown.
Enjoying last year’s St Patrick’s Day parade
For anybody growing up in Tallaght in the eighties and nineties, the parade was a serious annual highlight – with many possessing warm memories of taking part (despite it always being freezing).
While the revived parade takes a shorter route through the village, avoiding the Tallaght bypass, the spirit, camaraderie and excitement of past parades was captured over the past two years as a whole new generation of Tallaght residents were given the chance to paint their town green.
Last year’s event was made possible by the parade committee, a team of over 20 volunteers and support from local gardai, the Red Cross, South Dublin County Council, Dublin Fire Brigade and local businesses.
The success of the parade was also down to the 30 groups, troupes and clubs that took to the streets.
A call-out is now being made for participants, volunteers and sponsors to come on board, as preparations for the March 17 (Tuesday) parade get underway.
Anybody interested in entering a float is also invited to get in touch. The deadline for float entries is February 29 due to planning.
Martha Cousins, chair of the Tallaght parade committee, told The Echo: “We’re delighted the parade is happening again.
“Preparations are in full swing, and we are calling out to local groups that want to take part to get in touch.
“Volunteers and sponsors are also invited to make contact.”
Martha added: “The parade is getting bigger every year and we’re delighted it’s happening again in 2020.
“The parade promotes what’s great about Tallaght.”
The Tallaght Parade 2020 will leave the grounds of TU Dublin–Tallaght campus and snake down the Blessington Road, turning left onto Main Street before taking a left onto the Greenhills Road and back onto the college campus.
The parade starts at 1.30pm and finishes at 3pm.
To contact the committee, email tallaghtparade.festival@gmail.com.
Also, follow St Patrick’s Day Tallaght Parade on Facebook and keep an eye out for upcoming fundraisers.
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