The St Patrick’s Day parade in Kilkenny has been thrown a lifeline by a group of interested people.
Johnny Barry of local radio fame has been chosen to lead the parade in Kilkenny this year as grand marshall.
Johnny is a well-known radio voice and many of the older population will be very familiar with his late night radio programme.
The grand marshall was announced on Friday afternoon last at MacDonagh Junction where part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations will take place.
Chairman of the St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Sean O’ hArgain urged the local community in the county and city to get behind the parade and to enter into the spirit of St. Patrick’s day, despite the economic doom and gloom.
“Let us be quite clear- the parade is on! We have made contact with every sporting, community, cultural and business interest in the area in recent weeks and we hope people will come forward and take part. Already confirmed are a travelling youth’s rugby group from Canada, local hurling clubs and many others who will make the parade as good and lively as it can possibly be.
The event will be taking place in conjunction with Kilkenny’s two shopping centres - Market Cross and MacDonagh Junction.
“They are playing a full part in the festivities with a programme of events in Market Cross before the parade and in MacDonagh Junction afterwards. We appeal to other business interests to join in by decorating their premises and by making whatever financial contribution they can to the parade running costs,” said Cllr O’ hArgain
The organisers are appealing to anybody else who wishes to join in the day’s celebrations to contact them.
“In this 400th anniversary of the city we would like many of our traditional communities involved, but also for the parade to reflect the increasing diversity of the city. We also want the emphasis to be on fun and colour and craic. Anybody wishing to get information about the parade can contact event co-ordinator Marian Flannery on 087 6863243.
In conclusion Cllr O’ hArgain said of the grand marshall, “Johnny Barry is a man of the people to his fingertips, with a kind word and fáilte for local and visitor alike. We are sure his fans and friends will turn out in force to recognise this wonderful honour for Johnny in this his 21st year of broadcasting.”
