PICTURES | 'Irish Myths and Legends' come alive at memorable Ballymahon St Patrick's Day parade

Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery

'Irish Myths and Legends' came alive at Ballymahon's memorable St Patrick's Day parade. 

This gallery of photos, captured by Longford Leader photographer Declan Gilmore, gives you a taste of the wonderful atmosphere in Ballymahon and we hope you enjoy them and don't forget to tag and share with your friends. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Once again we were extremely fortunate to have the weather gods smile on us on Friday last as the rain held off for the duration of our parade which culminated in a great parade that was thoroughly enjoyed by a very large crowd of spectators who lined the street.

There were some excellent floats from the business community,our schools and from the community and voluntary sector, well done all round and we are very aware of how much work and artistic endeavour goes into preparing the floats this greatly appreciated and never taken for granted.

The full result was;
Best float and overall winner: ABC Childcare Ballymahon; Most Topical/Nearest the Theme Joint Winners: Forgney National School and St Mel’s National School Ardagh; Best New Entry: Ballymahon Vocational School; Best Turned Out Shop Window: Creations Garden Centre; Environmental Awareness Award: Ballymahon Tidy Towns Committee.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made it possible to stage this year’s parade, our main sponsor Kepak, Longford County Council by way of Community Grant and all the businesses in Ballymahon who made a financial contribution. Please support our local business at every opportunity.

Many thanks to John Byrne and Droplink who provided the truck for the reviewing stand, Sean Gilbride Ballymahon Autoparts for providing the electricity, our three marching bands from Longford, Athlone and Manorcunnigham, to the Gardai, the Civil Defence, Patricia Briody for the use of Ballymahon Library, Davy Mullen ‘St Patrick’, thanks to Pat Keenan for providing the vintage car for the parade grand marshal Michael Farrell Sr and Ballymahon GAA who provided the stewards and our excellent MC Benny O’Brien.

Mile buiochas to Mike and Josephine Cooney and Cooney’s Hotel who looked after everyone so well not just on the day itself but in making a meeting room available for all our committee meetings free of charge year on year.

Finally, to our small but hard working committee who made it all possible Liam Natton, Jenny White, Niall Dowler, Aiden Lovell, John Ryan, Peter Dennehy and chairperson Pat O’Toole thank you most sincerely as we look forward to 2024.