Let’s paint Tallaght green
By Mary Dennehy
PREPARATIONS to paint Tallaght green this March 17 are underway, with a St Patrick’s Day parade call-out being made for sponsors, volunteers, participants and floats.
Last year’s bitter temperatures didn’t stop the community uniting to celebrate their hometown and the revived Tallaght parade – which saw thousands of people once again lining the village streets.
Tallaght Youth Rugby Club at last year's Tallaght parade
While the revived parade was shorter than the original Tallaght parade, the event captured the spirit of past St Patrick’s days – as the community celebrated home grown talent and the many organisations, clubs and services that make Tallaght tick.
This year, preparations are in full swing to make the volunteer-led parade bigger than last year, with the organising committee currently looking for sponsors, volunteers, participants and floats.
The deadline for float entries is this Sunday, February 10 – with general entries for the parade open until the end of February.
Speaking with The Echo, Martha Cousins, chairperson of the St Patrick’s Day Tallaght committee, said: “We want everyone to get involved, the St Patrick’s Day parade is for the community to show off their talents.
“It’s the community’s day, and we’re hoping this year to get more groups involved and different types of groups.
“There has been a lot of interest this year, with groups getting in touch before the call-out for entries.”
She added: “The parade is going to be bigger and better this year, with pipe bands.
“We hope that everyone will take part, or come out on the day and enjoy the celebrations and the fun and cheer on their children, grandchildren, neighbours and the wider community.”
The parade route will be the same as last year, starting at TU Dublin – Tallaght (IT Tallaght) and travelling along the Old Blessington Road, onto Main Street and then up onto the Greenhills Road and back onto the college campus.
For further details or to express your interest in being part of St Patrick’s Day Tallaght 2019, which is being supported by South Dublin County Council, visit the St Patrick’s Day Tallaght Parade 2019 Facebook page.
