The vocal star of the Oscar-nominated movie, The Secret of Kells, Christen Mooney (13 ) has agreed to be the Grand Marshall for this year’s St Partick’s Day Parade in Kilkenny.
The young actress who voiced the character of Aisling from the Cartoon Saloon's award-winning movie The Secret of Kells will lead the parade along the streets of Kilkenny with many of Cartoon Saloon’s own live characters!
The talented performer who has been in the famous Billy Barry Kids theatre school in Dublin since she was just six years old is very excited about the prospect of leading the parade, which she said would be a great honour.
Speaking from her school in Swords yesterday, Christen said, “I’m really excited about this. My mom rang and told me that I had been asked to do the job and I’m delighted. I don’t know much about it yet but I have to have a costume fitting as I will be going in the role of Ashling from the movie.”
Christen initially auditioned for the part of Ashling and immediately wooed the casting directors’ hearts.
“They told me that once I started doing my audition that they knew that I was what they wanted for the part. They said that I was very natural and they loved my performance and so I got it!”
Christen was only seven years old when she auditioned. Now she is 13 years old and in first year in Loreto in Swords. Her career has come on in leaps and bounds since this audition.
“Up until this year I would take part in the Gaiety Pantomime every year but I can’t do it now that I am in secondary school. However, I am in a new television series that is airing on RTE on Thursday afternoons at the moment called Trivia. I also play the role of a girl called Ashling, which is a coincidence,” she said.
The new six-part series was recorded last summer while Christen was on her summer holidays and it explores the relationships between the four members of a table quiz team in a small town in Monaghan as they close in on victory for 52 consecutive weeks.
Meanwhile the St Patrick’s Day Parade committee is delighted that Aisling has accepted the prestigious offer and look forward to escorting her through the streets of Kilkenny. She may even find her way to Kells!
According to chairperson Malcolm Noonan, "We are thrilled that Aisling accepted the offer as Grand Marshall for 2011 and we know that all young people in the city involved in clubs and groups will join Aisling in her parade through the streets of Kilkenny and celebrate this great National Day."
Once again, the committee is hopeful for super community support and participation to strengthen further on last year's great effort. The organisers are appealing to the business community to support the parade by giving a financial donation but also to support the event by participating in the day and running music and entertainment in their own businesses.
“If we all pull together we can create a magical carnival atmosphere in the city,” said Cllr Noonan. “We want green everywhere! Shop front displays, building lighting etc.
“To keep everyone entertained for longer, there will be pre-parade and post parade entertainment so Kilkenny's street will be jumping from 2.30pm to 8pm with the plaza as the focal point for the days festivities.”
Application forms available from www.kilkennytourism.ie or at the Town Hall. Get in fast and get your spot in the 2011 Parade. For further information contact Marian Flannery Event Co-ordinator 087 6863243
