Members of the Curtin, Hayes and O’Brien families out in force and style at Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. Included are: Lorna and Pádraig Curtin, Jessica, Aisling and Rebecca O’Brien with: Catriona, Kay and Noreen O’Brien, James Hayes and Mary O’Brien. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Cormac O’Mahony’s ‘moo-ving’ tribute the Healy Rae proposal to moove the Red Cow Roundabout back to South West Kerry. The float was included in The Journal’s Best in Ireland category. Photograph: Muiris O’Mahony.
Cherry blossoms and Big Drums: The Cullen Pipe Band march up Main Street at the head of the Castleisland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Watching Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade from outside The Fountain Bar were: John Coffey, Tim Reidy, Chris Casey and Helen Leen. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Seán O’Riordan proudly leading out the Cullen Pipe Band at the start of Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The all-action An Riocht AC float in the Castleisland St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Andrew Foran pictured with his girl-friend, Cora Broderick on his completely restored Super Dexta after Thursday’s Castleisland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. ©Photograph: John Reidy
A hero’s welcome awaiting Clonmel winner, Coolavanny Bingo with Pat and Eddie Mahony and Noel Browne as they lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade into Castleisland on Thursday. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Hanna Herlihy (left) pictured with Aisling Shire and Joanna Moynihan at Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
For that day that’s in it: Timothy Mitchell (left) pictured with: Jack Corkery, Killian Hickey and Colin McCarthy outside Kearney’s Bar during Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Gaelscoil Aogáin pupils: Seán Ó Briain le Sadie Ni Bhrosnacháin agus Katie Nic Choitir after their Easter Rising 1916 stint at Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
For the year that’s in it: Tom Brennan brought out a War of Independence medal belonging to his father during Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Three generations: Ann O’Connor and her daughter Mary Rooney and her three children: Hugh, Dan and Conor and their little cousin, Ruth Fleming out enjoying the parade in Castleisland on Thursday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Scart participants in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland included; Eoin O’Connor, Gary Boyle, Seán Butler, Tara and Seán Kerin and Leah Boyle. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Ethan Ward-Higgins pictured with his parents, Danial Ward and Christine Higgins and granny Esther Ward at the Castleisland St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Tom Conway from Tralee capturing all the action at Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Gaelscoil Aogán pupils, Laura Ni Choitir (ar clé) agus Sharon Ni Liathain in dress for Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Joe Martin in the title role with members of the Cullen Pipe Band from left: Con Houlihan, Michael Doyle, Declan Buckley, Seamus Fleming, Colette O’Connor and Geraldine Houlihan before Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Clonmel hero, Coolavanny Bingo with Eddie and Pat Mahony and Noel Browne leading this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Three young ladies enjoying life and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland from left: Catherine Cronin, Castleisland; Denise Crowley, Currow and Joanna Browne, Knocknagoshel. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The O’Connor clan from Knocknagoshel, Aaron, Ciaran, Rita, Margaret and Gearoid were out in force for Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Out of all the colour and excitement of yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade came a roundabout compliment for Cormac O’Mahony’s always topical, ever arty float.
The Journal picked out Cormac’s Danny and Michael Healy Rae and the Red Cow Roundabout float as one of its best in Ireland.
This year’s parade was an all out affair and the sheer numbers taking part was well up on other years.
Some remarked last night that the number of spectators was down on other years but the town was buzzing for hours after the final float had left the street with some of the pubs crowded up to closing time.
It was another reminder of the town in the good times and if an excuse can be found for three or four more days like this in the round of the year – then you could be talking about noticing a recovery.
There were more hands on deck too this year with the involvement of the Castleisland Chamber Alliance and this will come as a blessed relief to the existing and over worked committee.
Charlie Farrelly was delighted with the way the day turned out and he was being congratulated by those who came to town simply to be entertained.
Children were much more visible this year and they all made huge efforts as the 1916 Easter Rising took prominence as a theme.
The Cullen Pipe Band certainly added its own charm to the event and Clonmel hero, Coolavanny Bingo and handlers, Noel Browne, Pat and Eddie Mahony got a rousing round of applause as they rounded the Market Cross bend and onto Main Street.
