IN PICTURES: Thousands at parades in north Tipperary for ‘best St Patrick’s Day in years’

In what is sure to have been the best St Patrick’s Day celebrations in recent memory, with favourable weather helping out on the day, thousands flocked to towns across Tipperary to see the spectacle and support their local community groups and organisations as they marched through their home towns.

In Thurles, the Saint Patrick’s Day parade kicked off at the JYSK carpark at 2:15pm, meeting a significant crowd of attendees dressed in their best greens at Liberty Square for 2:30pm.

This year the special guests for the Thurles parade were Alan & Frank Roche of Frank Roche & Sons Hardware Thurles in recognition of their long-standing contribution to the commercial life of Thurles and surrounding areas. The organisers showcased many great parade entries covering music, dancing and gymnastics, sports clubs, martial art displays, vintage and comical characters, plus a miniature train and well-known cartoon characters. Adding to that, the Cloughjordan Circus Club were there to provide a variety of performances with jugglers, stilt-walkers and puppetry for the entertainment of the viewing public.

Jim of the Mills traditional musicians were in full swing from 1pm to 2pm on the reviewing stand prior to the start of the parade. A miniature carousel entertained little ones on the pavement and market stalls from the Village Market Holycross were set up offering a plentiful selection.

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In Nenagh, thousands attended the first parade to hit the town in six years.

The parade kicked off at the train station and made it’s way up Kenyon street and through the town before finishing outside the courthouse.

Spectators looked on, cheering on members of groups such as Nenagh Éire Óg GAA, Nenagh Celtic, Nenagh Indian Community, Nenagh Ukrainians, the Musical Theatre Academy and many more.

The Nenagh celebrations also featured a large outdoor concert and festival market situated in the Nenagh courthouse car park.

This year’s special guests included Europe’s number one Taylor Swift tribute ‘Taylor NI’ performing live. Jacko the Clown and the team from Giggles Entertainment were singing and dancing live onstage along with ‘JP’s Video Disco’. Other special guests on the day included Lucky the Leprechaun, Bluey, Fireman Sam and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Tipperary Fire and Rescue, Cleo Griffin, The FitzGerald Brothers, Martin Grace, Nenagh Brass Band and many more musical guests, dancers and performers.

In Cashel, thousands more lined the streets to enjoy music, dance and the return of a great parade held on Sunday.
This year’s parade had over thirty entries, from walkers and bands, to floats and commercial vehicles. The loss of the parade last year was felt keenly, and many groups were happy to get on board to ensure it would come back stronger than ever, with this year’s theme of “Revival” to the fore.

The Cashel Brass Band, the Kickham Brass Band and Seanie Ryan entertained crowds for the day alongside a number of fantastic floats from local groups.

Roscrea’s 45th St Patrick’s Day parade drew record crowds with MC John Lupton keeping the crowd excited and entertained throughout the afternoon. Many of the local groups were out in force vying for best parade entry with Roscrea Hurling Club ultimately taking the cake.

In Templemore, festivities began at 12pm in the square with the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band joined by several more fantastic acts, entertaining crowds for the day.

Throughout the weekend, fantastic celebrations were also seen in Newport, Ballina, Littleton and of course much of south Tipperary. Well done to all this year’s organisers for making it one to remember!