©Photograph: John Reidy 17-3-2005
A stewarding shortage did threaten the immediate future of Castleisland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for a while.
That obstacle, however, was overcome somewhat at a specially convened EGM on February 8th.
A good turnout on that night calmed the nerves of the hard working committee – even if they still need a few more hands at the pumps on the day.
Next meeting Tonight Tuesday 6th.
There was supposed to be another meeting last week but the weather put a stop to that.
It will be held tonight, Tuesday, March 6th at the River Island Hotel at 8pm and all are welcome .
The organisers are overhauling all aspects of the parade since a meeting with and advice from Sgt. John O’Mahony.
The main plank of Sgt. O’Mahony’s concern was that the start of the huge parade would be moved from Tralee Road.
Too Great a Risk
He felt that this location presented too great a risk to the public and there was a serious accident waiting to happen.
A nod being as good as a wink, the organisers brought this on the table at the Fabruary 8th meeting and the goodwill of Castleisland Co-Op Mart was sought and granted. Job done.
The parade will now gather and start from the mart yard. Gathering time will be from very shortly after 12 noon and the off time will be 1pm.
Huge Again This Year
Castleisland’s parade will be huge again this year and it has a lot of goodwill going for it as it has proved its worth since being unleashed by Helen and Aeneas Leane in 1989.
Invited by Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Thomas Brosnan is bring his colleagues from Kerry Civil Defence with some vintage and new machinery.
Groups and Clubs
Groups and clubs from neighbouring parishes are organising teams to travel to Castleisland to take part in the great celebration of our nationality.
Tonight’s meeting is as crucial as that on February 8th and volunteer stewards who know what they’re doing will be in great demand for the couple of hours on the great day.
The committee would like to see a little more interest and involvement by the business community, especially from the pub and restaurant sector – as they feel they’re the ones who benefit most from the event.
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