Over 80,000 people from all over the province and further a field were expected to throng the streets of Limerick this Saturday and Sunday, for what is guaranteed to be a Springfest feast of entertainment and colour, leading to other centres feeling ‘green’ with envy.
"It will be the best St Patrick’s week long celebration ever”, commented an excited Mary Dundon, of the Limerick Co-ordination Office.
"We will be presenting Limerick in the best positive light. There are many highlights, including the St Patrick’s Day Parade and Band Parade on the following day, and we are honoured this year in that we will have the biggest and most magnificent military parade in the country, which will be incorporated into our St Patrick’s Day event, culminating in a flypass over the reviewing stand”.
It is also significant that the Band Parade marks its return after a one year absence on Sunday, with a total of 20 bands taking part, including four from the United States and two from England.
One notable absentee will be St John’s Brass and Reed Band, who were invited to play at the Boston Parade.
Paul & Tori |
"A lot of people were disappointed in 2006, and in response to their appeals, we are delighted to again include it in our schedule. We received a very good feedback from participants”.
Ms Dundon promises that the St Patrick’s Day Parade will end at 1-15, in time to allow rugby fans to tune into the Six Nations rugby clash between Italy and Ireland, from Rome.
The parade starts this year at noon, originating at Sarsfield Barracks, taking in the length of O’Connell Street and ending on Matthew Bridge.
It will have the theme "Irish myths and legends” and feature Queen Maebh, King Ailil, Cuchulainn, Fionn and the Fianna, Mannanan Mac Lir, Danu, fairies of the air, warriors and fire gods.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Limerick Person of the Year, Paul Gleeson, who successfully rowed 2,500 miles in the Atlantic Rowing Race with his girlfriend Tori Holmes, who is travelling from Canada to join him at the front of the parade.
"It’s truly an honour to be asked to be the Grand Marshal, coming so quickly after being named Limerick Person of the Year. All the sacrifices my girlfriend and I made in completing our journey across the Atlantic are made so much more special when it leads to an honour like this,” Gleeson said.
And after the big event itself, Pery Square and People’s Park will play host to a fair. Food and market stalls will be set-up on Pery Square, while the park will be opened up to street theatre performers, fire-eaters and live music acts.
But the festival is more than just one day with projects taking place over several days across the city.
