Lanesboro Ballyleague St Patrick’s Day Parade makes welcome return

Excitement is building on the banks of the Shannon as preparations for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Lanesboro and Ballyleague are well advanced.

There is a great deal of endeavour as businesses and community groups prepare their floats for the returning community event.

“It's going well. We had our launch earlier in the month and we are all really looking forward to it,” Teresa Costello of the organising committee told The Leader.

Teresa says the parade always attracts a good crowd, both in terms of floats and spectators: “We anticipate that there will be about 30 entrants into the parade. The overall winning float will receive €250 and a trophy. Other categories that will be judged – Best Club, Best Junior, Best Vintage, Best Business, Best Dressed Window, and Most Original with the winners receiving €50 and a trophy.”

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As usual the floats will gather at the St. Faithleach’s GAA Club House for a departure time of 2.30pm and will travel through the town to Lanesboro Community College. St Patrick’s Day Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church at 11am and it will include traditional musicians, parish choir and champion dancer.

“The mass is one of the highlights of the day,” Teresa says, “The music is beautiful. We have a great tradition of musical performance at the mass. The dancer will perform on the alter and we will involve Ireland's Call as part of the morning.”

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This is the first parade to be staged in the town since the pandemic and Teresa believes it will be a thrilling return: “It's always a great day. Great credit is really due to everyone for their efforts in preparing for the Parade. The community really turns out, we just hope to god we get the good weather for the day.

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“It's great to be back and everyone is excited to be back. I would encourage everyone to join in the community and get involved on the day.

It is a good deal of work in the organisation, but when you see the faces of the children, and the happiness they feel it makes it all worthwhile.”

For further information or details on how to participate in the parade contact Teresa Costello or Freda Connaughton.