LATEST: Stalwart of community in Tipperary fondly remembered at special awards ceremony

Prize winners at this year’s Cashel St Patrick’s Parade gathered together at a special awards ceremony in Brosnnan’s Bar on Thursday, March 19.

The prizes were given to Tipperary Raceway for The Best Motorised: sponsored by Friary Pharmacy. Best Walking Group: Boherlahan Dualla Camogie Club sponsored by Pierce McCann Cumann.

Best performance: Cashel Lions Club sponsored by Feehan's Bar, Best Themed: Cashel Tidytown sponsored by Brosnans Bar Community Youth: St John the Baptist Boys NS, sponsored by Mace Texaco Cashel, Second Prize was given to St John the Baptist Girls NS, sponsored by Affinity Credit Union. The overall winner was the Cashel Choral & Dramatic Society sponsored by Bright Beginnings.

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A new perpetual trophy was created for the overall winner, to honour the tremendous work given to the Cashel St Patrick’s Parade over three decades by the late Wally Ryan, who passed away last January.

Sean Laffey (Chairperson) and Councillor Declan Burgess( Secretary) spoke fondly of Wally Ryan and the many times that committee meetings were held in her kitchen in John Street.

Wally’s children with their partners and her grandchildren along with her sister and niece were in attendance in what was an emotional and happy night for “the bigger family of the Cashel St Patrick’s Parade”. Sean Laffey thanked all the sponsors including the two main sponsors Tipperary County Council and Amneal.

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He noted that some 50 local businesses and organisations in the town had come forward to generously support the Parade. He thanked Amneal for sponsoring the two Marching bands who came from Dublin to perform in Cashel.

He also outlined an ambitious five-year plan to create a St Patrick's Festival in Cashel and make the Parade a destination event in the county's annual calendar.

There was more good news when Tipperary Raceway presented €500 to Cashel Tidy Towns in appreciation of all the work that the volunteer committee do in the town.

Finally Sean Laffey thanked the hard working Parade committee who although small in number had achieved so much, with so much humour and love for the town, and he said he was sure everyone who took part in the Parade were proud of how the Committee had rolled up their sleeves and created something special for everyone to enjoy in Cashel.