The sun shines as Cashel celebrates St Patrick's Day in style!

There was no traditional parade in Cashel this year however there was a big effort to create some razzmatazz and energy in the town on St Patrick’s Day.

Entertainment on the plaza across the afternoon brought a sense of occasion to the town as music filled the air.
The colours of spring were all around and while the weather was changeable, Cashel folk and visitors turned out in good, strong numbers.

Adele and Joe from Ohio were spending St Patrick’s Day in Ireland for the first time and staying in Cashel of the Kings for the occasion. “It was cold and I would have loved a parade but we had a great day,” said Adele whilst sipping a coffee by the Plaza on Main Street.

She said she was enjoying her time in Tipperary: “It is great being here. We are staying in Tipperary for four days. The atmosphere here was great, particularly the Irish dancing and the Irish music. We are going for a glass of Guinness soon to top off the experience,” she said.

The fun in Cashel started with a pipe band at lunchtime followed by a brass band and Wobbly Circus. The crowd across the afternoon varied with some coming and going and coming back again.

All afternoon the children gathered with their parents and while the bars were quieter than when there was a traditional parade, there was still a decent fluttering of people across the town all day.
Mayor of the Local District, Cllr Declan Burgess, said there was a good buzz around the Plaza: “We always celebrate the day well.

“Sadly there was no parade this year but I think it will be back next year as people only appreciate it now that it is gone. We had a notable decrease in numbers interested this year in terms of floats and people away with the long weekend, so I think it is important we have a community event and that is what today is all about. We had traditional music, pop and rock, dancing and kids entertainment too. A lovely day all round.”

Last Thursday night Jimmy O’Neill was awarded the title of Cashel Lions Club Person of the Year for his Voluntary work. “I was delighted to receive it,” he said. Many shook hands with him at the Plaza. He felt the celebration of the day was important: “It is great to be able to celebrate in Cashel and to see the crowds enjoy this special day in Ireland.”