Two big parades for Laois village this St Patrick's weekend
Big Ballyroan events on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday
A busy Laois village near Portlaoise has two days of events this St Patrick's weekend.
Ballyroan’s parade is at 10am on St Patrick's Day Monday, March 17, but a day before the villagers can enjoy the very first Mick Murray Memorial Road Run, in memory of a man who for many years took part in the parade.
Register for the vehicle run from 12 noon at the old boys’ school, €20 per vehicle - all types welcome - in aid of the Friends of Abbeyleix hospital, a fundraiser organised by Mr Murray's family.
Ballyroan Vintage Club describe the great man that the late Mr Murray was.
"He was a founding member of the Ballyroan Vintage Club. A man of few words who had a great love for family, friends and all that is vintage. His knowledge of machinery was immense and you could find Mick at any time during the day in the shed working on the latest project. He is very much missed by the whole community and the club is delighted to suppport the Murray family who are organising Road run on the 16th March."
It starts at 1pm. There are refreshments afterwards and a prize filled cabaret follows that night in the Skies O’er pub at 9pm.
The next morning on St Patrick's Day, the fun is again tractor themed, with a lovely junior tractor run for children as part of the St Patrick's Day parade. All types of kid sized tractors welcomed.
Participants are asked to gather for the parade on Chapel Street at 10 am.
Ballyroan Vintage Club and Ballyroan Brass Band will be taking part in the parade.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Old School.