RONAN FAGAN
Green was most certainly the colour of choice in Athlone on Monday afternoon as the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, the showpiece occasion of the five day Croi na hÉireann Festival, meandered its way from a starting point at Athlone Extrusions through the town’s main streets culminating at BurgessPark.
Initial mixed feelings towards hosting the parade on Monday afternoon proved unfounded as families, clad in the national colour, gathered on the road sides, cheering loudly as the participating floats brought great vibrancy and colour to Athlone.
As part of the well received Croi na hÉireann Festival in honour of the national feast day, the feature occasion saw children from a number of local sporting and community groups participate in the parade and this memory is certain to remain etched in their minds in the time to come.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser on Tuesday morning, Croi na hÉireann Festival chairperson, Mr John Henson, commended his committee colleagues who cohesively worked to ensure the success of this year’s five day occasion.
“I would like to pay due tribute to our hardworking committee who have given of their time since October of last year to ensure this event was a success. Our showpiece occasion, the St Patrick’s Day parade, was most notable for its show of diversity, numerous nationalities represented within the sporting and community organisations as they traversed the town from west to east. This is a snapshot of modern day Ireland and certainly was a sight to behold.
“The Croi na hÉireann Festival is not parade centric, but a five day occasion and similar to a jigsaw it requires many pieces to be put in place so that a complete the picture can unfold. We have received much assistance and encouragement from within the local community and for that, we are extremely grateful.
“Thankfully, the committee were in a position to attract top class individuals, each with a specific skillset to take on co-ordinator roles for our various competitions and demonstrations, ensuring each event was hosted in a professional and timely manner.
“A special word of gratitude is expressed to Pat Hession and our council workers who worked from very early on Monday morning, the Gardai, under Sergeant Andrew Haran, and our voluntary stewards who ensured the parade was hosted without incident.
“Feile na Sionnaine, river safety awareness, Lough Ree Federation of Anglers, Comhaltas Ath Luain and the FAI also made vast contributions during the course of the festival.
“The committee would further like to thank Lt Col Mark Lennon, O/C Custume Barracks for reinstating an old tradition of inviting the dignitaries from the reviewing stand to attend the Officers Mess for a pre-parade libation and also pay tribute to Deputy Mayor, Cllr Paul Hogan, who represented his council colleagues and guests with the respect and dignity the occasion deserved.
“When you host a parade of such magnitude and onlookers affording their support to the participants you soon realise that the event has been a success and will continue to positively evolve,” Mr Henson said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Croi na hÉireann Festival treasurer, Cllr Frankie Keena, stated that the committee were “overwhelmed” with the positive response from the Athlone and Midlands public who engaged with the numerous events hosted during the five day festival.
“Our Croi na hÉireann Festival committee has once again delivered another top class and fun filled five day occasion which concluded with an excellent St Patrick’s Day parade through the heart of Athlone.
“The number of participants in this year’s parade well exceeded 1,000 personnel who grasped the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills with excellence. It was equally fantastic to witness the town’s main thoroughfares thronged with onlookers eager to avail of a vantage viewing point. Certainly a great heartwarming day, sincere gratitude is afforded to all those who organised, participated and viewed the parade on Monday afternoon.
“Finally, as committee treasurer I would like to thank our main sponsor, Westmeath County Council, and indeed the many businesses throughout our town for their generous support and assistance,” Cllr Keena concluded.
