2016 Parade report
This years Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day Parade took place for the first time in 17 Years in Clondalkin Village. Cllr Timmons (Ind) said ‘’a small dedicated committee worked tirelessly to bring this event back into Clondalkin village. The community spirit and excitement was evident throughout the parade. This was Clondalkin at its best and the feedback has been extremely positive. This event showcased many local groups and businesses. Next year for 2017 it will continue to grow”.
Preparation:
Committee met periodically during 2015 and then from January weekly, uo to and including the week of parade.
A brochure Website was launched in September by Mayor Holland – Website @ http://www.clondalkinstpatricksfestival.ie/. This website provided information about the parade arrangements, details of the parade route and provided online forms to allow members of the public to volunteer and to register their groups. This latter facility was very important as it helped ensure that all the relevant contact information was recorded
A meeting was arranged with Clondalkin Guards to discuss safety concerns and road closures
Two meetings were held in the Towers GAA club in advance of parade to provide information and steward training for both volunteers and parade participants.
Information was also shared via Facebook page (3,510 Likes) (https://www.facebook.com/ClondalkinStPatricksDayParade/) and Parade Website (http://www.clondalkinstpatricksfestival.ie/details/) The Clondalkin Echo and Clondalkin Gazette ran regular updates stories on the Parade.
Over 100 posters where distributed around local clubs, library, fast food restaurants, public houses and shops etc
Email were sent to schools and clubs re Parade.
Colette Gallagher Placement officer – Clondalkin South Dublin County Volunteer Centre provided 7 Volunteers for the day.
We had over 40 volunteers from the local community on the day as stewards. we also had 10 people dressed up as characters giving out lolly’s to kids.
Parade Route:
Parade route was agreed with SDCC – Started Old Nangor Road, down orchard road, up Main Street down Tower road and ended back up old Nangor road where groups could then disperse
SDCC posted required notices of road closures in local papers
Parade overview:
Clondalkin native and RTE presenter Mary Kennedy was grand marshal for Parade 2016.
32 Groups took part and this included over 700 Adults and Children. Based on Garda estimates the parade was watched by between 8,000 to 10,000 people approximately. There were no incidents of anti-social behaviour or any medical emergencies. Clondalkin An Garda Siochana, the Order of Malta and the Irish Red Cross (With ambulance) were in situ to assist as needed. Cllr Timmons represented Mayor Holland.
Musical entertainment was provided from 2:30 by Finbarr Coady who compeered the event. A local girl Aoife Mc Cormack aged 12 played the violin before and after the event. Mr Darren Corrigan read the Proclamation before the parade started.
The parade consisted of:
1. Harley Davison’s
2. Massey Bros’ antique car with Grand Marshal – Mary Kennedy
3. The Clondalkin Youth Band
4. Clondalkin Active retirement bright side of life choir with the Silver Surfers choir
5. Tus Nua Ambassadors
6. James Hempsey (Jamesey)
7. The Scouts
8. Fonthill Lodge Childcare
9. Clondalkin Shotokan Academy
10. Boom Variety Stage School.
11. Scoil rince nic Liam
12. Boot Road Celtic
13. Clondalkin Fairtrade Town
14. Karen & Wojtek School of dance
15. iVosta-Friends for Ireland
16. LD Dance school
17. Round Towers GAA under under 8, under 9, under 10 football and hurling
18. Afro.imagic
19. Anne D’arby (Signs&Logos)
20. Epic Performing Arts
21. The Civil Defence
22. The Brownies
23. Jigzaw Clondalkin
24. Mickey and Minnie Mouse
25. Funky Steps Dance School
26. Greyhound
27. Clondalkin Traveller’s Group
28. Elite Karate Academy
29. 1916 Cumann na mBan Woman
30. Balgaddy Working together
31. Callum Transport
32. Clondalkin Local Travellers Group
Winners:
Judges: Mary Kennedy, Mary Dardis, Cllr Timmons
(4 x €200 allocated for 4 Prizes)
Winners:
– Scoil Rinse Nic Liam
– Balgaddy Working Together
– The Brownies
– Cumann na Mban
Village Cleanup:
Clondalkin Tidy Towns performed a clean up before and after the parade with refuse sacks and litter pickers.
Greyhound provided bins for the event that where spread across the village. They also performed a road clean after parade.
Sponsorship:
Greyhound
Brian Mc Elroy – Funeral Director sponsored €800 specifically for prizes and 4 x €200 was allocated for 4 Prizes.
K & G Funfair ran a very popular funfair in Tuthils car park
Massey Brothers sponsored a beautiful old car to bring our grand marshal around the route.
Tuthills allowed closure and use of the tower road carpark free of charge for the Viewing stand and funfair