Full steam ahead as preparations start for St Patrick’s Day parades

ST PATRICK’S Day Parade planning is full steam ahead across our communities as the Government has given them the green light to go ahead this year.

The parades are set to return this year after being cancelled for the last two years as the Government announced the lifting of the majority of Covid restrictions last week.

The committee for the parade in Clondalkin Village has begun preparations and launched their callout for participants, volunteers and a grand Marshall.

Parade chair Councillor Francis Timmons said that he is “delighted” about the return.

“The Clondalkin Patricks day Parade is always a family day out and this year there is the added bonus of an extra bank holiday the next day. We are sending out a callout to get involved and let’s make it the biggest and best parade so far!

“The feedback so far has been in the whole very positive and a lot are looking forward to a family day out full of fun and laughs. The K&G funfair will also be around on the day along with DJ Joey Howe keeping the crowd entertained. Lots for everyone to see and do and have fun again after the last two years, we all need a bit of fun and a good day out.”

The Lucan parade is also set to make a comeback, assembling this year at 2pm with a 3pm start time.

“It is definitely going ahead, we met tonight with Lucan Garda Station now that the restrictions are lifted, it’s all go go go”, said Caroline, one of the committee members.

“Normally we would start planning in September but the two ladies who started the parade thirty years ago, they pulled it off in six weeks so when we were talking about it, we said ‘let’s do it’ and that’s what we have done.”

The 2019 parade in Lucan welcomed around 8,000 people, with 1,700 participating, involving 30 groups.

“It’s a big day for the community. It’s free for families to attend and it is an opportunity for the kids to get involved and show off their skills and dancing”, added Caroline.

The Lucan parade committee currently have a call out for any volunteers who may be interested in helping on the day. They can contact Caroline on 0852551602.

The Four Districts Parade has confirmed to The Echo that it will also be going ahead this year, with planning currently underway.