Hoofing it to the win at North Westmeath St Patrick’s parade
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First place - the Mule and Donkey Society of Ireland; members of the society with north Westmeath parade committee members.Image 2 of 16
Donie Cassidy speaking at the eventImage 3 of 16
Best Club Award - Inspiration Taekwondo-Do, Cllr Alfie Devine (committee) with Rodney Connolly.Image 4 of 16
Fourth prize - Castlepollard Men’s Shed, Cliff Gurren with Ted Fagan and Sean Montgomery (committee).Image 5 of 16
Second place - Multy Stove and Fireplace Fitting – award presented by Octavia Tulloch and Breda Sullivan.Image 6 of 16
Third place - Joe Ward. Donie Cassidy, Sean Montgomery, Ted Fagan, Eoin O’Neill, Joe Ward, Katherine Ward and Octavia Tulloch.Image 7 of 16
Best Novelty Act - Mary Egan Beauty Boutique, award presented by Donie Cassidy and Cliff Gurren.Image 8 of 16
Clann Lir CCÉ with their awards for Best Dressed Window and Judges’ Favourite Award.Image 9 of 16
Best Dressed Window - Murphys HW Fore Distillery/ Clann Lir, Breda Sullivan (committee) with Noel O’Neill, Sheena Guirke and Sandra Farrell.Image 10 of 16
Judges’ Favourite Award - Clann Lir CCÉ, Ted Fagan and Ciara Beegan (committee) with Dympna Doran, Una Bourke and Pauline Granahan.Image 11 of 16
Best Environmental Award - Mullingar Bike Hire, Paula Lawlor (committee) with Hilary Maye.Image 12 of 16
Funniest Entrant - Aura Hair and Beauty, collected by Cllr Alfie Devine (committee) from Octavia Tulloch (chairperson).Image 13 of 16
Best Vintage Award - Castlepollard Town Team, Octavia Tulloch (committee) with Keith Fay.Image 14 of 16
Best Business Float - Multy Stove and Fireplace Fitting, Breda Sullivan (committee), with Paul Bardon.Image 15 of 16
Best School Award - St Feichin’s Fore, Eoin O’Neill (committee), with Pierce Walsh.Image 16 of 16
Fifth place - Castlepollard Hurling Club Jungle Fundraiser, Donie Cassidy (committee), Gerald Halpin, Noel O’Neill (committee).The entry from the Mule and Donkey Society of Ireland took home the top prize of €500 at this year’s North Westmeath St Patrick’s Day Parade awards event in Castlepollard.
Fifteen awards were up for grabs this year, and the winners included Joe Ward, Multy Stove and Fireplace Fittings, Castlepollard Men’s Shed, Castlepollard Hurling Club and more (list below).
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner at the prize giving in the Hotel Castle Varagh on Sunday March 29, committee member Donie Cassidy said: “It’s wonderful to see all the contestants coming back and still participating in the St Patrick’s Day celebration.”
He also thanked the sponsorship from Westmeath County Council, North Midlands Credit Union, Mergon and more, as well as the committee, volunteers and the community who donated and attended the quiz night fundraising event.
Chairperson Octavia Tulloch, who spoke at the event, thanked Clann Lir CCÉ for entertaining the crowd before the awards had begun: “I’ve got to say it’s so nice to have this whole mixture of musicians, singing, dancing and instruments, thank you Clann Lir CCÉ for joining us today and on the day of the parade.”
Donie extended his congratulations to all the prize winners, as well as to the local businesses and groups that took part in the parade. He expressed his appreciation to the business community for their continued support from the Hotel Castle Varagh for providing refreshments on the evening.
Prizes and awards
First prize, Mule and Donkey Society of Ireland; 2nd prize, Multy Stove and Fireplace Fittings; 3rd prize, Joe Ward; 4th prize, Castlepollard Men’s Shed; 5th prize, Castlepollard Hurling Club Jungle Fundraiser; Best School Award, St Feichin’s Fore; Best Club Award, Inspiration Taekwondo-do; Best Business Award, Multy Stove and Fireplace Fittings; Best Vintage Award, Castlepollard Town Team
Funniest Entrant, Aura Hair and Beauty; Best Novelty Act, Beauty Boutique; Best Environmental Award, Mullingar Bike Hire; Judges’ Favourite Award, Clann Lir CCÉ. Best Dressed Window, Murphy’s HW Fore Distillery and Clann Lir CCÉ.
Article and photos by Jay G Forde