Ballina Town Council has agreed to give €5,000 funding towards the Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade this year. “Without the support of this council the parade would struggle to exist,” Cllr Johnny O’Malley told the meeting. “Over the past number of years with the support of this council we have turned it into one of the bet parades in the country.”
Cllr O’Malley said that this year the organisers had chosen to honour Ballina Beverages which is celebrating its 10th year in Ballina and the company would lead the parade in the town this year. The allocation of the funding was supported by all of the elected members, with Cllr Mark Winters saying, “The parade shows off our town in a great light and everyone involved should be complimented for the work they put into it.” Cllr Gerry Ginty said: “I’d like to compliment the people who give up their time and energy for nothing to keep this parade afloat, without them the parade wouldn’t be what it is today.”
