Limerick Person of the Year, the transatlantic rower, Paul Gleeson has accepted an invitation to be Grand Marshall of this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.
There are hopes that his Canadian born girlfriend, Tori Holmes, who also took part in the gruelling ocean rowing race, and who is currently in her home country, will be able to join Paul as he leads the parade down O’Connell Street.
Mayor Leddin said that the parade will be immediately followed by the Pery Square Fair, which proved so popular last year.
The theme is Irish Myths and Legends, and this will be reflected in the parade with two legendary Celtic characters, Queen Maebh and King Ailil, along with the colourful Children of Lir, among the main attractions.
Sponsored by Limerick’s Live 95FM, Springfest, which runs from March 14 to 19, has a comprehensive programme of events to appeal to all ages. The line-up includes music, street theatre, dance, live gigs, comedy, market stalls and other novel events.
It will also sees the return, by public demand, of the hugely popular International Band Parade on Sunday, March 18, in which 20 marching bands from Ireland and abroad will participate.
Paul & Tori |
Welcoming Springfest as an opportunity to showcase all sectors of the city and Limerick’s many artistic and cultural talents to a national and international audience, the mayor extended a welcome to all visitors to Limerick, the riverside city.
"We expect to have 30,000 people out on the streets for the St Patrick’s Day Parade and later at the Pery Square Fair,” he said.
Describing it as an "honour” to be asked to be Grand Marshal for the parade, Paul Gleeson said that coming so quickly after being named Limerick Person of the Year, all the sacrifices he and Tori had made in completing their rowing adventure across the Atlantic ,”are made so much more special when it leads to an honour like this.”
Delighted that Paul will be Grand Marshall, Limerick city co-ordinator, Andrew Mawhinney thanked Limerick City Council for its increased financial support for the festival.
Particularly pleased that their appeal for volunteers to help with the organisation required during Springfest week received a wonderful response, Sarah Lynch, media creative director of Eightball Promotions (overall organisers of Springfest), said they have 60 volunteers compared to 20 last year.
"The parade will have many costumes and floats designed and made by students of Limerick School of Art and Design, local community and volunteer groups and some of Limerick’s local bands will mix with bands from as far afield as Arizona, Ghana and Portugal in a feast of razzmatazz and great music in the Band Parade,” she said.
