Anne Ralph to review Roscrea’s 43rd Parade

Roscrea's 43rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be poignant for many in Roscrea, especially the Parade organisers, as it will be the first of the 43 parades in which the late Adrian Hewson will not be actively involved in some aspect of its organisation. 

However the Parade organisers are aware that he will be with them in spirit. It is fitting that the Guest of Honour on the day, Anne Ralph, was a close friend of Adrian Hewson and a colleague in establishing one of Adrian's own passion projects - the former Junior Chamber Roscrea. 

Adrian was also an author, a historian and a very proud Roscrea man who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the people and the place he loved. His book Inspiring Stones is out of print now and has become an invaluable local work by a very talented author and researcher. 

Anne Ralph, who is a former journalist for the Midland Tribune and Tipperary Star, is presenting a Perpetual Cup to the Parade Organisers in memory of Adrian.

In turn the Parade organisers have asked Anne to be a Guest of Honour for this year’s event and recognise Adrian’s enormous contribution to the Roscrea community and in particular to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which he and his Junior Chamber colleagues founded in 1979, and in which year the first parade took place in arctic conditions through the streets of Roscrea. 

Roscrea's Adrian Hewson

Adrian has been involved in every one of the 42 parades since, up to and including that of 2022, with his presence being a constant inspiration to the organisers in each of the Roscrea parades. 

Adrian died suddenly on October 1, 2022 and Anne will speak about Adrian, her former Junior Chamber colleague, and friend, and his involvement with the community in Roscrea. Anne will also present the 'Adrian Hewson Perpetual Cup' to its first recipient on the day.

The Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band are regular favourites at the Roscrea Parade and pictured above performing in Market Square last year. Photo: PJ Wright

Roscrea Parade
Courtesy of the Parade Committee there will be face painting outside Shaw’s from 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Watch out for Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the PJ Masks heroes who will be distributing ice cream to all the children around Market Square from 2:45pm to3:30pm. 

The Parade commences at 3.30pm and will include the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band and a 30 piece brass band from France called 'Banda Follet'. Roscrea's own Theresa Larkin School of Music will also perform and always provide a rousing performance of folk and trad favourites. 

There are a number of floats entering the parade with cash prizes for the winning categories as follows:

Best Overall Entry: Chamber of Commerce Perpetual Trophy and €200 sponsored by Roscrea Chamber of Commerce. 

Best Business Float – Lupton & Associates Perpetual Trophy and €100. 

Best local community group/sports club – Roscrea Tidy Towns Trophy and €100. 

Special Recognition Award - Roscrea Credit Union Perpetual Trophy and €100.

Special Merit Award – St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and €100. 

The committee is urging all entrants to make a special effort in the hope of winning the cash prizes. There will be a designated area for people with reduced mobility beside the Review Stand on Main Street.

For further information or an entry form please contact Chairperson, Shane Lee on (086) 3296667 or Secretary, Marie Tooher on (086) 0755680.

Sláinte! Photo: PJ Wright