Clonmel community came together to create a very special occasion for St Patrick's Day

The strength of the community was on display in Clonmel on Sunday as a spectacle of a parade made its way through the town to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Big crowds came out to mark the occasion as champion boxer Shauna O’Keeffe proudly took on the role of Grand Marshall, a day after her second professional fight in Galway where she recorded another victory with a triumph over Poland’s Angelika Oles.

Accompanied by the Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Richie Molloy, Shanua took off from under the West Gate at 3pm on the dot to get the celebration started.

In glorious sunshine the parade made its way through the town progressing down O’Connell Street, Gladstone Street, Market Street, Emmet Street before finishing in Parnell Street outside the Town Hall.

St Patrick (Owen ‘Leggs’ Lanigan) was a colourful figure as he mingled with the big crowds that lined the streets while Banna Chluain Meala, whose members are set to visit America later this year to perform, provided great colour and entertainment at the front of the parade.

As usual there was huge participation from young people in the parade, all proudly representing their own community groups.

Among them were the Blue Heroes group, children facing daunting life challenges who have been made honorary members of An Garda Síochána, who were delighted to drive their vehicles through the town.

What was striking about the parade was the large number of young children taking part in the entries of the sporting clubs of the town displaying how healthy club membership is in the town for the various clubs that took part.

St Patrick’s Day in Clonmel started with the traditional flag-raising ceremony at St Patrick’s Well at 8am.

The morning parade took off from Mitchel Street at 11.30am for Mass, which was celebrated as Gaeilge in St Mary’s Church, Irishtown at 12 noon.

The morning parade was led to St Mary’s Church by Banna Chluain Meala with the Grand Marshal, councillors and dignitaries all taking part. In attendance were visitors from Trofaiach, Eysines and Reading, towns that are twinned with Clonmel.

Mayor Cllr Richie Molloy congratulated all who took part in the event and said it was a wonderful occasion for the community.