Preparations for St Patrick’s Day parades are in full swing

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for St Patrick’s Day parades around South Dublin County later this month, in celebration of the patron saint.

All of the parades will, of course, take place on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, with the Four Districts St Patrick’s Day Parade kicking off at 2pm in Rathlawns, Rathcoole.

The parade route will then go through Rathcoole village, past Avoca, and will end at St Mary’s GAA Club in Saggart.

The grand marshal for the parade will be popular local sportsman Tony Rooney, who is heavily involved in Rathcoole Football Club and is also head football coach of the Special Olympics’ eastern region.

The parade coordinator, Sharon Redmond, said: “The theme this year is ‘Our Planet, Our Home’.

“We are asking the participants to include the theme in their entry.

“As usual we are keeping it community- and local-based with the focus of the parade being our children’s groups representing GAA, soccer, rugby, youth clubs, dancing, scouts, schools and playschools etc.

“We have also reached out to the representatives of the Ukrainian refugees in Citywest Hotel and we have invited them to take part in the parade this year.

“We will also have some surprises along the route and welcome back our many parade favourites.”

Over in Lucan, the village’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will commence at 3pm sharp at Hillcrest, opposite Tesco.

The parade will then go through Dodsboro Road, the Old Celbridge Road, the village, St Mary’s Church, Adamstown Road from Courtney’s to the N4, and Chapel Hill.

The grand marshal of the parade will be ‘Fair City’ actor and singer Sorcha Furlong.

The parade organiser, Caroline Brady, said: “The parade presents an opportunity for community organisations to present and showcase what they do, especially the children’s groups.

“It’s designed to be a family day out with activities for all the family to enjoy.

“It’s great fun watching the children’s energetic and colourful performances demonstrating skills like dancing, tai-chi, cricket, football, hurling, all at the review stand in the middle of Lucan village..

“Plus, we have marching bands, music, face painting, balloons, etc., great craic for the day and free with the support of South Dublin County Council, businesses in Lucan and the gardaí.”

The grand marshal for the Clondalkin parade is fast-rising rapper Sello, with the festivities kicking off at 2.30pm in Clondalkin village with a route taking in the Old Nangor Road and Tuthills.

In Ballyfermot the Orchard Community Services will be coming together to celebrate diversity, strength and community sprit for St Patrick’s Day.

This will be the first St Patrick’s parade in Cherry Orchard for many years – a move welcomed by many in the community as a positive addition to the festivities this year.

Fr Michael Murtagh, parish priest Cherry Orchard said: “Many thanks to all the local community groups and activities who have made this possible.”

The parade will start from Cherry Orchard Integrated Youth Services, Equine Centre, Cherry Orchard, at 11am on Wednesday, March 15, and move down through Cherry Orchard Avenue bringing joy to all along the  way.

“It will be a day full of colour joy, laughter, music, culture and plenty of community spirit,” said Fr Michael.

Tallaght, however, will be without a St Patrick’s Day parade this year as the voluntary committee who organised it in previous years has since disbanded.