Biggest St Patrick's Day parade in Offaly promises fun for all the family

The Tullamore St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday next, March 17, will have an amazing mixture of big bands, colour, dancing, lots of fun and something for everyone. 

The day starts with entertainment at the Review Stand provided by Tullamore Comhaltas from 10.45 a.m. 

At 11.10 a.m. former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, will address  the crowd and cut the ribbon to formally launch the 2024 Parade along with family and Committee members.   

The public are advised to be there early as a big crowd is expected.  Tullamore's  own  Dave Lawlor will then sing Amhrain  Na bhFiann.   

Meanwhile the Parade will be making its way down from the Bridge Centre led by the Colour Party and the very impressive Army Band from Athlone.

PARADE ASSEMBLY

The Assembly point is the Car Park of the Bridge Centre and all entries are advised to be there by 11.00 a.m. at the latest.    Please co-operate  with the Stewards on duty.

PARADE ROUTE

The Parade route is High St., Bridge St., Colmcille St., over the Kilbeggan Bridge onto Arden Rd., finishing at the GAA Centre on Arden Road.  No entry  will be allowed to drop out before the finish.

REVIEW STAND

The Review Stand will be located at the junction of Colmcille St. and Harbour St. outside Brown's Bistro. 

The public can view the Parade on the pathways along the route and at the Review Stand, please keep inside the barriers  for safety.

RESERVED VIEWING AREAS

There will be a reserved viewing area opposite the Review Stand for wheelchair users and a seated area for elderly.   

There will be a Sensory Space in O' Connor Sq. for children who need a bit more space and who can retreat  back into the square if it all becomes a bit too much.  This area will be closed to traffic.

DOGS WELCOME

Dog owners and their  pets have been marching in the Parade for some years and they are very welcome again this year.   

OSPACA will also be taking part.    There will be a special prize for the Best Dressed Dog.

BANDS

There will be five major Bands in the Parade this year.    The Army Band from Athlone, Mullingar Town Band, Clara Town Band, St. Brigids Pipe Band from Athy, Athlone Pipe Band.

THEME

The Theme this year is Éire – Cultúr trí ceol, caint, craic agus siocháin ar fud an domhain, translated as Ireland – culture through music, chat, faun and peace throughout the world

SPONSORS

Thanks to all our Sponsors who are with us year after year.  Without their help we could not organise the Parade. 

They will all be acknowledged on our social media channels   and on our Website.

FUN FOR THE YOUNGER ONES

There will be free Face Painting from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at the front entrance of the Bridge Centre.    Cartoon characters Mario, Luigi , Elmo and Curious George will be mingling around at the assembly area and along the Parade route and sweets & balloons will be dished out free of charge.

WINDOW DISPLAY

Shop and business owners are encouraged to decorate their windows and there will be a prize for the Best Window Display.   

The Council will be  erecting colourful  flags on the lights though the town for the week.

SPECIAL THANKS

Our special thanks to the following and many more for all the assistance given.  the Council for generous donation, providing staff to erect barriers  and erecting colourful flags on the lights along the route; local media for coverage of the preparations; Des Henry and Stephen Ravenhill for trucks for Review Stand; Gardai for Traffic Control, Stewarding  and safety; Order of Malta for First Aid; Tullamore Comhaltas for entertainment; Macs Cabs for electricity; Mike Daly for flowers and shrubs; Martin Keating, Annaharvey Limousine service; St. Mary's Youth and Community Service for meeting space and loan of chairs and steps; Durrow Community Centre for chairs; Jim McGovern for transport; Bridge Centre for assembly and collection; Our Judges John Cusack, Geraldine Byrne and Frank Nicholson

PRIZE CATEGORIES

Awards with generous prizes will be made to the winners of the following categories.  1) Overall Winner  2) Best School Entry  3) Best Business  4) Most Entertaining  5) Best Band  6) Best Youth Entry  7) Best Dressed Dog  8) Best Window Display  9) Best Sports Entry 10) Best New Entry 11) Best Community Entry  12)  People's  Choice Entry

ROAD CLOSURES

There will be road closures in the town centre before and during the Parade. Roads affected are High St., Bridge St, Patrick St., Church St., Colmcille St. and Arden Road.

STILL TIME TO ENTER

Any organisation can still enter the Parade, simply email Sean O' Brien at  [email protected]  or on mobile at  086 3892854

CONTACTS FOR PARADE

Frankie O' Reilly,  087 2287550; Sean O' Brien  086 3892854; Johnny O' Connor  087 2602487    Website    www.stpatricksdaytullamore.com