Prizes presented to Longford St Patrick's Eve parade winners

Following the success of the new look St Patrick’s Eve celebrations, parade organisers Longford Municipal District, Longford Night Time Economy and Longford Tourism presented the prizes for the best entries in this year’s parade at a function last Thursday evening.

The 2025 St Patrick’s Eve celebrations brought thousands of people to Longford Town to see the parade under the theme of “The Luck of the Irish”, which was followed by live music, street theatre and dance. Longford County Council extends its gratitude to all the volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who contributed to the success of the 2025 St Patrick's Eve celebrations.

This year’s Overall award was presented to The Peelo School of Dance for their entertaining and well-composed parade performance. The prizegiving for the 2025 parade was supported by North Midlands Credit Union with the traditional and much-coveted perpetual parade trophies presented to the winners of each category.

This year a Best Photograph competition was held with all photos uploaded to social media and tagged with Longford Tourism automatically included. The winner of this competition, Adrian Wrobel of Longford in the Lens Facebook page, captured a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the day in a split-second, with his shot of Longford Pipe Band’s Seamus Rawle in action.

Longford Local Enterprise Office selected Enable Ireland as the winner of the Best Dressed Window competition for this year – Enable Ireland will receive a prize of €250 in recognition of this.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Mark Casey praised all parade and entertainment participants for their creativity. “This year’s celebration has proven to be extremely successful, not least because of the many exceptional parade participants who were lively and lifted the mood of the whole town for the day. It is great to see their efforts recognised with these awards. The parade really brought the whole community together to celebrate our heritage and showcase the best of Longford. Looking forward to next year already!"

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Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "Huge congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated and made the St Patrick’s Eve festivities so successful. Longford County Council, through the work of Longford MD, supported by Longford Night Time Economy and Longford Tourism, is proud to have been parade organisers this year."

Winners
Longford Chamber of Commerce Best Overall Entry: The Peelo School of Dance
Keogh Electrical Best International Entry: Longford’s Ukrainian Community
Longford Chamber of Commerce Best Commercial Entry: Kiernan Steel
3D Revamp Best Public Service: Longford Pipe Band
Supermac's Best on Theme award: St Michael's BNS
The Bernie Crossan Perpetual Trophy for the Cable Com Best Club/Association: Longford Slashers
Longford Leader Youth Endeavour Award: Gaelscoil Longfoirt
Grafter Hair Company Most Entertaining Entry: The Peelo School of Dance
Longford Shopping Centre Best Community Entry: Longford ICA
Hair Square Best New Entry Award: Saint Patrick puppet, the sheep and pot of gold by Longford Lights Artists
Mulleady's Waste Management Best Environmental Award: Allied Recycling
Glennon Brothers Best School Entry: St Teresa's National School Killoe
Hugh Shannon Memorial Cup for Outstanding Service: Longford Fire Service
PVs Most Innovative Entry: Killoe Men's Shed
Spirit Clothing “Spirit of St Patrick’s Day” award: Longford Athletics Club