Ahead of committee agm organisers issue call for more floats on st patricks day

Sports clubs, community organisations, businesses, drama groups – in fact anyone who has an idea ‘floating’ around for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade is urged to get their thoughts out there just now.

There are just over two months to this year’s parade, and the organisers are hoping to get the word out to people good and early – even ahead of the committee AGM – that now’s the time to start working on floats for the parade.

“If you are a community group or a sports club or a drama club, it’s a great way to highlight your activity – and for all of those, there is no charge to enter a float in the parade,” says parade committee chairperson, Ruth Illingworth.

AGM
All the work for last year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Mullingar was done by a committee of around seven people. But with a few more hands on board, it could be even better, says Ruth, issuing the call for anyone interested in helping organise the 2015 parade to attend the parade committee AGM, which takes place at The Greville Arms Hotel today Wednesday, January 7, at 7pm.

“It’s just about doable with seven or eight, but we could do with more,” says Ruth.

Ruth is chairperson of the committee, the secretary is Cllr Avril Whitney, and the treasurer is Jason Scarff.

Among the items the AGM will discuss, as well as deciding on the make-up of the coming year’s committee, is what the theme for this year’s parade should be.

They will also discuss likely candidates for the role of grand marshal, which last year, was awarded to St Brigid’s School, in recognition of its 30th anniversary.

Previous grand marshals have included 32 marathon men, Jerry Duffy and Ken Whitelaw; and Mullingar businessman, Des Walsh.

The year Columb Barracks was closed down, the role of was awarded to the army, in recognition of Mullingar’s lengthy military tradition.

Colour
“We want to get things up and running early,” says Ruth, adding that the more groups that enter floats, or who participate in any way, will add more colour, more excitement, and help build on the success of the event, always a great day out.

This year’s parade is taking place, as in previous years, on St Patrick’s Day itself, which falls on a Tuesday. Some other areas hold their parades on the weekend, rather than on the feast day itself.