National Tidy Towns win to be celebrated on St Patrick's Day in Laois

Main Street in Abbeyleix is promised to become a veritable river of colour, sound and celebration for the town’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, according to the organisers who are inviting the community to get involved.

The Parade made a welcome return last year to the town’s busy annual schedule of events, after a gap of four years. The organisers are looking forward to building on a successful 2023 event this year and in the ones to come.

Cormac Bowell is the Cathaoirleach of the Abbeyleix St Patrick’s Parade Committee. 

"2023 was also an historic year for Abbeyleix, with victory in the National Tidy Town's Competition - the trophies from which, will be carried at the front of the Parade in a somewhat linear but nonetheless worthy “lap-of-honour”!

"Local sports clubs, societies, businesses, community groups and some keen individuals, will make up the enthusiastic cohort of participants on the day - be they on foot, or driving one of the many mechanised floats, ranging from two, to 18-wheeled alike," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Enjoying the parade in 2023. Pic Alf Harvey

Cormac adds that there will be prizes too on the day for the best Walking Float; Mechanised Float; Commercial Float; Business Window Display and Domestic Residence Display.

"Anyone attending as a spectator won’t be left out either, as there will also be a prize for the best Children’s outfit as deemed by a “Roving Judge” as they patrol along the crowd line," says Cormac.

If you, or your business/club/society would like to enter a Float, or you would like further information, then please contact 087-1737852.

Starting at 12.30 pm, the parade makes its way down its traditional route from Heritage House, at the north end of the town, to the finish point at the Manor Hotel.

Cormac and the rest of the parade organisers are looking forward to seeing you all there!