PICTURES | Wonderful atmosphere as St Patrick's Day parade makes welcome return in Lanesboro and Ballyleague

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The St Patrick’s Day Parade made a welcome return to the streets of Ballyleague and Lanesboro on Friday last. 

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

The early morning weather threatened to become a kill joy with heavy rain falling all morning. As we approached midday the rain relented and temperatures began to rise a little giving us cause for hope that we could escape the rain for the duration of the parade and afternoon.  

As we approached parade time, 2.30pm, the streets were dry, amazingly, and a huge crowd began to line the route from St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds to Lanesboro Community College. 

Almost 30 floats, of varying sizes took part and created a wonderful spectacle. There was a wonderful atmosphere and there is great credit due to the committee and the huge number of volunteers that kept everything flowing.  

Another St Patrick’s Day Parade ends with a wonderful afterglow of a wonderful parade and excitement in our community. 

We now look forward to the ‘Gathering’ of boats on May Bank Holiday where another exciting event will take place in Lanesboro and Ballyleague. A full programme of events will be made known for the weekend where we will welcome huge numbers back to our community for another celebration. 

A report from the Chairperson 

The Parade was, again, an outstanding success and Teresa Costello would like to thank all those that entered floats and a special thanks to Lanesboro Fire Brigade for its educational performance and also the ONE group who join us every year. 

To all the excellent stewards for their excellent work and for giving so freely of their time we are so grateful. Without this help there would be no parade. 

Thank you to Joe O’Brien (Longford Leader) and Tom Nohilly (Parish Newsletter) for all the publicity. 

Thank you to the Parish Choir, musicians, Eddie Cauneen Devlin (Dancer), John Campbell, Nuala Donlon, Noel Carberry, Johnnie Duffy, and Joe McGrath and Fr Kenny for his unique and beautiful Mass. 

A special word of thanks goes to the committee of Freda Connaughton, Chris Cullen, Steve Ormsby and Gerard Farrell for all their help and support. 

Thank you also to our M.C., our judge, Johnnie Duffy for the amplification, Gerard Farrell for the stage and Regina Carroll, Lanesbrew for the ESB power. 

Sincere thanks to Dolan Foods, Joe Ginty Taxi, Fermoyle National School, Inver Filling Station, Lough Ree Distillery, North Midlands Credit Union, Engine Spares, Orla O’Brien Chemist, Lanesbrew, Bernard Keane SuperValu, Maireád Gill, Sean Mimnagh Chimney Cleaning, Casserley’s Spar, Pings Chinese Take Away and Joe and Martina O’Brien Corner Shop for their sponsorship donations. 

The results of the Parade were: Best Overall Float – Lanesboro Tourism and Tidy Towns; Best Club Float – St. Faithleach’s GAA underage; Best Junior Float – Lanesboro Community College; Best Vintage Float – Brendan Glennon Cars; Best Business Float – Tom Morris/Clarkes Bar, Most Original Float Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club and Best dresses Window – Supervalu. 

A very big thank you to everybody that bought tickets for the draw and the five winners of €100 each were Megan Maher, Celine c/o Mags, Gerry Nerney, Bríd Rhatigan and Johnny Hanley.