Gather in Mullingar all Paddys and Patricias...

John FitzSimons
and Una D’Arcy


The Paddy’s Gathering Challenge is one of the highlights of the national festival next Sunday in Mullingar.

It is an attempt to set a record for having the most Paddys in the one place on St Patrick’s Day, and while the Mullingar parade will command most support with thousands expected to line the streets of the town, there are celebrations at parades in Castlepollard, Tyrrellspass and Clonmellon on Sunday, and in Delvin on Monday.

The Mullingar parade starts at 3pm, preceded by street entertainment from 2pm, including an arts and crafts exhibition, inflatable funzone, tug-o-war, display by dance schools and live music in the Market Square from 5.30pm.
All float entries are to assemble between Alan Bardon Motors, Patrick Street and the Ballymahon Road roundabout on the C-Link.

Vehicles participating are to arrive for their designated positions between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. All groups and individuals walking in the parade are to assemble in Alan Bardon Motors only – and not before 2.15pm. The parade begins at 3pm.

Unfortunately, due to health and safety and insurance restrictions the distribution of sweets/lollipops by any participant in the parade is strictly prohibited.

Last minute float entries will be accepted up until 7pm on Thursday March 14. Entry forms are at the Greville Arms Hotel and all entries must be accompanied by a copy of a valid insurance policy.

The Paddy’s Gathering Challenge is at 6pm in St Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar. If your name is Patrick, Padraig, Pat, Paddy, Páidí, Patricia, Patrice, Patsy or any other variation of Patrick, go along and help to set a world record for the most Paddys in the one place, at the one time on St Patrick’s Day! Participants should bring some form of photo id that includes your name.

• The Mullingar St Patrick’s Day parade will be streamed live on www.westmeathexaminer.ie/patricksday and www.Mullingar.ie (as well as Mullingar-based Webcast Ireland); and for details on the event, see www.mullingarparade.ie.

Castlepollard
Young, talented and a true Gael, Blathnaid Daly has been chosen to lead this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Castlepollard. The honour is in recognition of the Glenidan gal’s representation of Ballycomoyle and the parish, Westmeath and Leinster at the All-Ireland Scór na nÓg.

The town is also honouring St Patrick, and church spires are lit in green this week.

The parade is starting half an hour earlier this year, at 5pm, but the craic starts earlier. There will be music and dancing in the square from 4.15pm and a petting farm area on the square with some exotic animals.

There is €50 up for grabs for each school that participates in the parade, so long as at least 10 children take part, and the winning school will win €100.
The competition for best float will once again be fierce and the it can be guaranteed another sharp eye will be cast over all our politicians and all that’s topical for their inspiration.

Last year, Operation Transformation got a quare touch and so did the Olympics, along with Enda and there was lots of silverware on show from the clubs too, including the young men of Ballycomoyle, who led out the parade with their all-Ireland medals.

It’s great to see a Bal child leading the parade this year again but she will be first among equals, with all the incredible support coming from all the primary schools, Castlepollard Community College and all the super clubs for children in the parish, including the Lough Lene Gaels, Castlepollard Hurling and Camogie, Castlepollard Celtic and right down to the tiniest of our little ones heading out with Sundancers Montessori.

Tyrrellspass
Plans are well advanced for Sunday’s parade and there is strong interest from community groups and organisations and a large number of floats will add both a splash of colour and fun. Timed to start at 2.30pm, the parade will set off from Killavalley and make its way through the village to the Dublin Road roundabout.

The reviewing stand will be at The Green, opposite the school. There will be music and dancing on The Green prior to the parade and Buttons and Strings will be playing in the village.

All are asked to follow any directions from gardaí and event stewards to facilitate the parade. Volunteer stewards will be welcomed!

Delvin
Sticking with tradition, the final parade of the weekend is in Delvin on Monday March 18, at 3pm; will start from Delvin Salesyard and proceed through the town, culminating on the Mullingar road.

“All are welcome again this year and the more the merrier,” said Larry Monaghan, who as chairman of the Parade Committee was busy getting everything organised, from street bunting to cajoling various people and groups to enter a float for the parade.

“We are looking for a good enjoyable day, with plenty of good humour and music to increase the atmosphere,” said Larry.