Fire performers, strongmen and Elvis played their part in Carrick's St Patrick's Day festival

Flame swirling fire performers, a rousing pipe band, a fleet of revving racing motorbikes and weight lifting strongmen were among the entertaining highlights of Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day celebrations on Sunday.

The town was blessed with a glorious spring day of crisp fine weather with splashes of sunshine for the St Patrick’s Day Three County Hinterland Festival that began with the traditional parade followed by a packed programme of attractions in New Street Car Park opposite the town hall.

The parade kicked off at 1pm from the car park next to Carrick Library at Greenside and was led by a colour party of Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen & Women, who have a support centre in Carrick-on-Suir.

They were followed by the De La Salle Scouts Pipe Band from Waterford City, who were making their debut appearance in the parade as it was hosted a day earlier than usual. The band included three guest pipers from Chorley in England.

The band were followed by a float and walking group from Carrick-on-Suir’s Third Tipperary Scouts, who were presented after the pageant with the Cathleen Fahey Memorial Cup for best parade entry by Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald.

Next up were a group of Special Olympics athletes who were the parade’s joint grand marshals with Joseph O’Brien Carriganóg Racing. Among them were local World Special Olympics medallists Declan Foley, Kellie O’Donnell and Gary Tobin. Following closely behind were members of Carrick’s Réalta Sports Club for children with special needs.

Carrick’s sports clubs were well represented with hundreds of their juvenile and youth members walking proudly in their club colours. Piltown GAA Club members crossed the Kilkenny border to join the town’s GAA clubs in the parade while Carrick Rugby Club members sang the Two Carrick Smashers.

Young Carrick Rugby Club members having fun walking in the parade

Residents of Carrick’s Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre walked in the parade dressed proudly in green and waving Irish flags. Their banner was emblazoned with the message Go Raibh Maith Agat to the people of Carrick-on-Suir.

There was a big turnout of young dancers from the DR2 Dance Club and an Elvis impersonator who fired sweets at spectators as he performed the King’s greatest hits was a big hit with the crowd.

Carrick Paddlers made good use of some giant teddies in its display of kayaks and canoes while Carrick River Rescue turned out in force as did Carrick Fire Brigade with sirens blazing.

Carrick Wheelers Cycling Club and OK Cycles used the parade to advertise the L-Etape Ireland cycling event that will start and finish in the town in September while a fleet of motorbikes driven by Faugheen 50 Motorcycle Club members promoted the club’s motorcycle race meeting in July.

The parade also included two impressive fire performers, a giant wooden sculpture of Ormond Castle’s most famous resident, Black Tom, transported in a trailer by its creator sculptor Philip Quinn. The sculpture’s home is to be Carrick’s Castle Park.

After the pageant the celebrations continued in the New Street Car Park until 5pm. The car park was thronged with visitors who gathered to watch the fire performers continue their parade antics, strongmen vying to lift and carry massive weights in the Carrick-on-Suir Strongman Contest and enjoy the performances of local musicians, singers and set dancers.

The festivities also included children's amusements, the Lar Corbett GAA Challenge Wall, BEAT FM outside broadcast unit, food stalls and Carrick Fire Brigade and CRITICAL First Responder Group vehicles and demonstrations.

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Carrick Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald was delighted with the turnout of visitors for the festival and hailed the occasion as a great success. “We were lucky the weather was on our side. It makes all the difference.”

He said some doubted the wisdom of hosting the St Patrick’s Day celebrations a day early but the crowds showed it all worked out very well. Margo Kavanagh and Cllr David Dunne of Carrick’s St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee reported the parade attracted a record number of entries and was watched by one of the biggest crowds in its history.

“It all went off very smoothly,” said Margo.

“We are delighted with each and everyone who came to see the parade and proud of all who entered.

“It was the biggest parade ever and we want to thank everyone for their support and hopefully they will be back again next year.”

Strongman Contest organiser AJ Cronin concentrating on his weight lifting during the competition at New Street Car Park as other contestants warm up behind him. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian 

Check out this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops for more photos from Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Three County Hinterland Festival.