St Patrick's Day in Cappawhite was a wonderful occasion
A little rain at the outset failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the big crowd that assembled in Cappawhite for the St Patrick’s Day Parade.
There was no need to worry about the rain as the parade had just commenced when the sky cleared and the sun even managed to peep through as the parade made its way down through the main street.
Led by piper Billy O’Dwyer Bob and by St Patrick himself, the commencement of the parade as announced by Liam Treacy who was MC for the event, drew great cheers from the large crowd.
Liam introduced the Grand Marshalls, Cappawhite’s most senior lady and gentleman and said that Mary Buckley and Paul McCarthy both live in Limerick Street, Cappawhite.
“Paul is 93 years young, and as its not polite to mention a lady's age, all I'll say is that Mary is a little bit ahead of Paul” said Liam.
Mary Buckley (nee McCarthy) was married to Mikey and they have six children. She was a member of Cappawhite ICA for many years, and her hobbies were gardening and baking brown bread.
She also loved travelling and has visited the United States and the Middle East. She is a lover of country music and a few years ago, she was delighted when Daniel O’Donnell called to see her in her home in Limerick Street.
As a young man Paul McCarthy worked in England for a while, before returning home to marry Teasie Crowe. They have 3 children.
He worked as a baker, a van driver, a garage worker before he went to Florida to train greyhounds. He was an accomplished hurler, playing with Cappawhite and the Tipperary Junior Hurling team in 1958.
He captained the St Vincent’s team in 1961 to win the west senior hurling championship. After the introductions the parade got underway and it was full of colour and pageantry and was a fantastic rural community effort.
This was evdident in the effort put in by all participants; the senior citizens group, the innovatie creche and playschool entries, the under age male and female GAA & Camogie sporting groups from the local parish of Cappawhite and from the adjoining clubs of Eire Óg Anacarty Donohill and Sologhead, hill walkers and active retired groups, mens shed group, tidy towns participants, bingo committee, the many commercial entries and mechanical vehicles, the local gym members, the vintage cars, bikes and tractors, the award winning filmakers and actors (The Christmas Truce 1914) from Cappawhite National School and the final float, the very funny 'Bank of DJ', which depicted the recent controversy surrounding DJ Carey.
Great credit is due to all the participants, organisers and stewards who put on a great parade for the community of Cappawhite and for the adjoining communities.
In the area around the village square there were a number of historical photos from bygone days which drew great interest.
Betty Buckley, Chair of the Community Council made presentations to Mary Buckley and to Paul McCarthy in recognition of their long service to the commumnity and to mark their attendance as Grand Marshalls.
Well done to all involved in the 2023 St Patrick's Day Parade in Cappawhite.