Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band honoured by their hometown's St Patrick's Day Parade Committee

Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band are the proud recipients of the Cathleen Fahey Memorial Cup for Best Entry in Sunday's St Patrick's Day Parade. 

The band that entertained the thousands of spectators who lined the parade route in Carrick town centre was presented with the cup at the end of the pageant that concluded at the Greenside car park next to Carrick-on-Suir Library.

The cup is named in memory of the late Cathleen Fahey, one of the chief organisers of the parade, who passed away two years ago. 

The people of Carrick-on-Suir witnessed one of the town’s most vibrant and joyous St Patrick’s Day Parades on Sunday afternoon as the sun shone brightly for the pageant that was enjoyed by thousands of spectators.

One of the town’s sporting heroes, Shamrock Rovers star defender Lee Grace, was the Grand Marshal.

Lee, who helped Rovers win their fourth FAI League title in a row a few months ago, walked in the parade ahead of a large contingent of young soccer players from his former club, Carrick United FC, where he first honed his soccer skills.

There was an equally impressive turnout of Carrick-on-Suir’s other rich array of sports clubs, community, music and dance organisations in the parade that started and finished at the car park next to Carrick-on-Suir Library.

A colour party of ONE Defence Forces veterans led the pageant and were followed by Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band. 

Carrick’s three GAA clubs and Realta Sports Club for children with special needs were well represented by their young members as was Carrick-on-Suir Rugby Club, whose youth players marched proudly behind a banner declaring Carrick Smashers on Tour.

Carrick-on-Suir Rugby Club's entry in the parade

The most colourful entries were the vividly costumed dancers of Mala Raggett’s variety group and the large walking group of residents from Carrick’s Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre, who dressed in green t-shirts bearing the message: “Go Raibh Maith Agat Carraig na Siúire” in gratitude for the welcome they have received from the people of the town

A group of residents living at the Shalom Guest House near Clonea-Power that is also accommodating international protection applicants, walked in the parade too.

Members of Carrick’s Journeyman Project also did their bit to ensure the parade was a brightly green, white and gold spectacle.

Meanwhile, the young dancers of DR2 Dance Club provided great entertainment with their hip hop and contemporary dance routines.

Several Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue boats decked out in tricolour bunting and the flags of various counties also made a big impression.

A new addition was the Dublin based Hit Machine drumming ensemble.

The trio of drummers certainly made their presence loudly felt as did Carrick-on-Suir Fire Brigade.

Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club, Carrick Community Responders and Linguan Valley Tourism were among the community groups that took part in the celebration while a JCB digger displaying the Save St Brigid’s Hospital banner showed that campaign is far from over.

Vintage vehicle fans had the sight of two Massey Ferguson tractors festooned with flags to savour.

At the end of the parade, Grand Marshal Lee Grace was surrounded by fans, young and old, eager to get his autograph or get their photo taken with him.

Members of Carrick’s St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee presented League of Ireland soccer star with a canvas print of a photograph of Lee with his biggest fan, his late grandfather Mickey Barry, after Shamrock Rovers won the FAI Cup in 2019.

Lee said he previously took part in the parade as a member of Carrick United but never imagined he would ever be its Grand Marshal.

“It was an honour to be asked. It’s not every day you are asked to be the Grand Marshal of your hometown’s parade. I am just glad to give something back to the town.”

He paid tribute to all who took part in the pageant and organised the event. “Well done to everyone involved in putting it together. It went off very smoothly and as a good day all round.”

Members of Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue on board one of the service's boats that took part in Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian

Check out the two pages of photos and coverage of Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.