Rain didn't dampen the fun at Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade

Caption: Tipperary Fire & Rescue Service members James Sweetman, Joe McAuley and James Hawkins pictured during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Carrick-on-Suir last Friday 

Carrick-on-Suir people didn’t let rain hamper their enjoyment of the town’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, which attracted a  large turnout of  community, sporting and cultural organisations. 

Many spectators joined with  parade participants in donning the green, white and gold with pride. And shops got in on the act by decorating their front windows with a St Patrick’s Day theme. 

 Chantelle Robinson, who won the All-Ireland Women's U22 Boxing title earlier this month, was the  grand marshal and was greeted with cheers and well wishes as she led the pageant in a chauffeur driven car. 

Carrick Brass Band performed  throughout the parade and were  followed by a flag party of Organisation of National Ex-Service (ONE)  veterans and an array of walking groups representing the town’s huge array of sports clubs, musical and dance groups and community organisations. Carrick River Rescue displayed its boats and the local Fire Brigade and Irish Red Cross were represented.

In keeping with the  parade  theme of  encouraging inclusivity towards refugees,  a strong contingent of residents   from the town’s Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre marched in the parade. 

Carrick’s Camphill Journeyman Project members  were the  most colourful walking group  and deservedly won the Cathleen Fahey Memorial Cup for Best Group Entry. Second prize went to the DR2 Dance Revolution Club,  whose young members entertained the crowd with their dancing.

The Best Dressed Pet prize was won by Evan Moran’ s dog Max while St Vincent’s Charity Shop won the Best Shop Window Display prize

Check out loads from photos from Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.

Pictured below: Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club members and friends enjoying a wonderful St. Patrick's Day Parade in Carrick-on-Suir. Pictures Anne Marie Magorrian