Local Tipperary town seeking floats for St Patrick's Day parade

Roscrea’s Community Development Council’s sub-committee, under the Chairmanship of Cllr Shane Lee, is finalising plans for Roscrea’s 46th Annual successive St Patrick’s Day Parade, which commences at 3:30pm on Tuesday, March 17.

The Organising Committee is seeking participation and support and hope this year to have representation from all community groups in the town to make the 2026 parade a truly community event.

READ MORE: INTERVIEW: Kerry-Anne Gleeson - Thurles singer-songwriter finding her voice

The small Parade Committee is made up of Shane Lee (Chairperson), Marie Tooher (Secretary), John Lupton, (Treasurer & PRO), Arthur Crawford, Catriona Fletcher, PJ Wright, Deirdre Moore, Francis De Lewis, Tom and Ann Ralph.

The Organising Committee have this year lost a much valued and esteemed member in the person of the late Steve Crofton.

Steve’s fellow committee members want to make this parade an extra special one in Steve’s memory and are thus making a special appeal to the community to make the 46th Parade in Roscrea a memorable celebration of the forthcoming National Feast Day.

The Parade Organisers extend a welcome to all those who wish to enter a float in this year’s parade.

Float entries are free, and while floats are welcome to turn up on the day at the assembly point for the parade which is on at the old Tesco car park (Lourdes Road), the organisers request that if possible, floats would give details beforehand to Parade Chairman Shane Lee 086 329 6667 to facilitate the parade narrative and give the float and its organisers due exposure and publicity.

Prizes will be awarded on the day, with the winning categories as follows: Best Overall Entry: Chamber of Commerce Perpetual Trophy and €200 sponsored by Roscrea Chamber of Commerce; Best Business Float: Lupton & Associates Perpetual Trophy; Best local community group/sports club: Roscrea Tidy Towns Trophy; Special Recognition Award: Roscrea Credit Union Perpetual Trophy; and Special Merit Award: Adrian Hewson Perpetual Cup.

READ MORE: REVEALED: Tempers flared during housing debate at Tipperary County Council meeting

The Organising Committee is also holding its annual shop window competition with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, the winners of which will be announced from the review stand on the day.

The shop window display competition offers shop owners of the town a unique opportunity to take an active part in Roscrea’s celebration of the National Feast Day, to promote business activity in the town, attract people to Roscrea, and increase much needed footfall.

Entry to the parade is free.

The Organising Committee are inviting individuals, groups, organisations, clubs, businesses, novelty items and community interest groups to enter floats and add to the diversity of the parade.

For further information or an entry form, contact Shane Lee on 086 329 6667.