IN PICTURES: St Patrick's Day parade returns in Cashel with magnificent display 

Months of preparation, checks, rechecks, letters and e mails flying over and back, culminated on Sunday morning with the realisation that the day had arrived and St Patrick was about to be celebrated once again in the shadow of one of the greatest monuments in the world to carry his name, St Patrick’s Rock.

And what a day it turned out to be, with thousands lining the streets of Cashel to enjoy music, dance and a little rock to top off the day.

The loss of the parade last year was seen as a huge disappointment to the town both culturally and commercially, and it was decided last November that it could not happen again. So, a committee swung into action and Sunday was the fruit of their works.

The good Saint himself had a small hand, as he must have been the one to make sure one of the biggest considerations wasn’t going to be an issue, and the day opened bright and dry, as the stewards gathered before nine in the morning to get out the barriers and cones, which would guide the parade down its traditional route around the town.

Just after midday, crowds began to gather at the usual starting point, the car park by Brú Ború, and this meant that hundreds of young children had to be lined up in the groups, and behind their banners, ready to head off as soon as the start time to 2pm was reached.

And off they did, led as they often are by the members of the local motorcycle club, the Rock Marshalls, and the trucks of Cashel Fire and Rescue, who might have needed to make a quick getaway should the need arise. Behind them, the music began.

Is it possible to celebrate the feast day of our patron Saint and not hear the refrains of the pipes of the Diarmuid O Hurley Pipe Band?

The people of Cashel didn't think so, and down Ladyswell they marched, at the head of the walking groups.

By the time they reached the corner of Ladyswell however, the pipes slowed and died down, because this year for the first time, the organisers of the parade had organised a “Quiet Zone” in the grounds of Halla na Féile.

This was to accommodate those young people with additional and sensory needs, with the intention of making the parade a more inclusive event for all.

Afterwards parents who took advantage of the area, thanked the organisers for enhancing the experience, and it’s sure to become an annual staple.

This year’s parade had over thirty entries, from walkers and bands, to floats and commercial vehicles. The loss of the parade last year was felt keenly, and many groups were happy to get on board to ensure it would come back stronger than ever, with its theme of “Revival” to the fore.

And it started with a roar, specifically from the Rock Marshalls Motorbike Club, who had the honour of opening the parade, and they did so in a burst of noise and colour.

The King Cormac’s GAA and Camogie clubs were one of the first walking groups and they had plenty to show off, with many of the senior and juvenile cups won over the past twelve months on display.

Revival has been a big part of the GAA story in Cashel over the past number of years, with successes for both clubs both at county and provincial levels.

Culture has always been a huge part of St Patrick's Day countrywide, and the first dancing group of the day raised the bar for everyone that came behind.

Taking a break from their preparations for the World Irish Dancing Championships, the Lucy Burgess School of Dancing wowed the crowd with a magnificent dancing display.

Also important for the parade, is the participation of groups from the surrounding areas, and hurling, football and camogie teams from Boherlahan, New Inn and Rosegreen joined their Cashel counterparts.

So too did both Cashel Town Schoolboys and Girls soccer club and Cashel’s rugby minis, as the parade wound its way across the Green and down to the viewing stand on Main Street.

Spectacles too were provided by the various primary schools.

Cashel Boys were first, embracing the theme of revival by a display of growing plants and flowers, symbolising the growth that young students go through as they enjoy their schooldays.

The Cashel Girls School walked behind a banner that said “No Limits” and gave a fantastic dance display, indicating that there would be no limits to what these young ladies can achieve as they make their way through life. And as always, Cashel was graced with the Knockavilla Primary School children who played some music and sang for the watching crowds.

Another huge part of the Parade is musical displays, and once again the Cashel Brass Band didn’t let the town down with an excellent performance.

But they weren’t the only Brass Band in town, as Cashel welcomed the Kickham Brass Band from Tipperary Town who added to the gaiety of the afternoon.

Last but not least, were the overall winners of the parade, the Blue Riband if you will. Cashel Choral and Dramatic Society fully embraced the revival spirit, and named their float “Back from the Dead”. Sean O Duibhir, one of the town’s elder statesmen, went back to his pharmacy roots to provide the medicine to revive none other than Frankenstein, as all around him danced for the crowd.

Those around him included Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse, Napoleon and even Queen Liz herself, dancing to, of course, Micheal Jackson’s Thriller.

And a Thriller it was. And the day was topped off, with Seanie Ryan blasting out the tunes from the back of the viewing stand, while the crowds took a break from the show.

Cashel is the seat of Munster Kings. A beacon on a hill for centuries past. Losing its parade last year felt a little like the town had lost a little piece of its soul.

How could we celebrate St Patrick’s Rock, without offering a parade in his honour. This year, it was not going to happen again.

A strong committee of people worked over a period of months, to get the show on the road. And Sunday morning they were out putting the finishing touches in preparation for a wonderful day.

They delivered in spades. By Sunday evening, the word on the street was that the parade had been a massive success. And the committee rightly took the praise.

But they cannot, and will not, rest of their laurels.

The old Irish saying, where Tipperary goes, Ireland follows, will be invoked in Cashel. Cashel will lead the way from here on it.

The real measure of the success of this year’s event will be in the town's capacity to deliver an even bigger event next year.

And it will.

Welcome back St Patrick, we were only on a break.