Thousands line the streets of Tullamore and Clara for St Patrick's Day parades
National Ambulance Service Band takes overall best entry in Tullamore St Patrick's Day parade
THOUSANDS of spectators thronged streets in towns and villages across Offaly as colourful parades took place at a number of centres to celebrate St Patrick's Day on Tuesday.
In Tullamore, Olympian boxer, Grainne Walsh was honoured as Grand Marshall while Dancing with the Stars finalist, singer Tolu Makay was guest of honour.
The spectacular parade featured a huge number of entries including bands pumping out toe-tapping airs and floats from a number of local community and sporting groups, including Tullamore Tidy Towns committee.
In Clara, Ireland's oldest man, 104-year-old Paddy Claffey was the parade's Grand Marshall and RTE camera crews were on hand to record the historic occasion.
In Tullamore one of the highlights of the biggest parade in the town's history was the National Ambulance Service Band, which visited for the first time.
Clara Town Band also took part as did Mullingar Town Band which entranced spectators with a rendition of Dolores O'Riordan's hit "Zombie".
As is customary a huge number of sports clubs from the town and surrounding areas took part including Tullamore GAA club, Tullamore camogie club and Tullamore basketball club.
Local business, "The King Oak" also entered a float featuring a tractor carved from wood, highlighting the large range of quality products available at the Cloncollig outlet.
St Patrick popped up on a number of occasions throughout the parade which popular local man, Charlie Whittaker leading the way on motorbike.
The parade took over an hour and a half to pass the reviewing stand with Master of Ceremonies, Sean O'Brien – who is secretary of the organising committee – providing informative commentary on each of the entries.
The winning entries in the Tullamore parade were as follows:
☘️Best OVERALL Entry - National Ambulance Service
☘️Best NEW Entry - Tullamore Lithuanian Community
☘️Best COMMUNITY Entry - Tullamore Tidy Towns Association
☘️Best SCHOOL Entry - Gael Scoil an Eiscir Riada
☘️Best BAND - Mullingar Town Band
☘️Best SPORTS Entry - Tullamore Basketball Club
☘️Best YOUTH Entry - St Mary's Youth and Community Centre
☘️Joint Best ENTERTAINING Entry - Golden Ravens & Concepta, the "Record Breaking" Goose
☘️Best BUSINESS Entry - Patrick Mitchell & Co.Ltd
☘️Best Dressed DOG - OSPCA
Meanwhile, in his sermon at 8.30am Mass in the Church of the Assumption in Tullamore earlier that morning, Very Rev. Fr Joe Gallagher PP said St Patrick's message of reconciliation is still important in today's world, which is torn apart with war and conflict.