AN estimated 12,000 people lined the streets of Tullamore for this year's St Patrick's Day Parade and they saw another 2,500 taking part in the numerous entries. Use the Next > above to go through the gallery of pictures taken at the presentation night by Michael McGrath Speaking at the presentation of the awards for this year's parade, one of the organisers, Cllr Sean O'Brien, said the event was a marvellous spectacle which attracted spectators from far and near. “The fantastic colour, and dancing and music and entertainment... The people of Tullamore, and wider, really enjoyed it.” He was addressing those gathered in the Old Harbour Bar on Friday night where another large crowd turned up for the formal handover of trophies to parade participants. “We've a full house and that's great to see. There was great enthusiasm on the day and there is great enthusiasm on the night.” Cllr O'Brien is one of a parade committee which has two presidents, John O'Toole and John O'Connor, along with chair Frankie O'Reilly and members Martin O'Connor, Jenny O'Connor, Shane Murray, Enda Mollen, Yvonne Kerry, Catherine Galvin, Mick Plunkett, John Plunkett, Kevin Boyce and Ciara Kinnarney. A number of other volunteers assisted on the day, including some lined up by the Offaly Volunteer Centre. While St Mary's Youth & Community Centre won the top prize for best overall entry, the biggest winner on the evening was the Tullamore Indian Association which scooped two awards. The association also won a prize last year when it made its Tullamore parade debut and the entertainment and colour its members provided caught the eye of the judges once again. Indian Association member, Abin Joseph, who is from Kerala, a region in the south of the country, spoke of how proud the entire community was. “It's an honour to win an award for the Tullamore Indian Association and we won two awards. We feel so welcome in a different place,” he said. “You know all the differences people have but the way Irish people welcome us is
PICTURES: Tullamore St Patrick's Day Parade award winners pick up prizes
