The Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Committee launched plans recently for the Thurles parade, which will take place on March 17th in Liberty Square at 4:00pm. We understand that in attendance at the launch were the main sponsor of this annual event Mr Michael Carew (Michael’s Jewellers), Westgate, Thurles; together with Mr John Tarpey (Manager Thurles Supermacs). An appeal also was issued for more voluntary stewards to participate on the day and same have been asked to contact the Chief Steward Mr Pat Carey at Tel: 0872797757, confirming their availability.
Music
This year’s parade, which starts from LIDL carpark in Abbey Road Thurles at 3.45pm, will feature musical entertainment in two areas; Liberty Square, starting at 2:00pm and provided by provided by the ‘Jim O’ The Mills Traditional Irish Group’; while in the new Thurles Town Park Bandstand the Thurles Silver Band will give further renditions of well known Irish musical favourites.
Parade Entries
Places in this year’s parade are still available for those wishing to enter and same will remain open up until the final day of the event. The Committee are also requesting that all Parade Entrants have clearly visible identification displayed, thus indicating their group to reviewers and onlookers alike. It is advised that a short written account of each participating groups activities be provided to committee members on the reviewing stand, prior to the start of this event.
A special prize of a 1ft high, Bronze Statue of Michael Collins in uniform, will be on offer to the ‘Best 1916 Commemorative Float’; same kindly donated by Michael’s Jewellers, Westgate, Thurles.
Reptile Zoo
A reptile zoo will also be on display on the east side of Liberty Square again this year and visitors will be permitted to “get up close and personal” with at least some of the unusual tetrapod animals, expected to be on display.
Other attractions are understood to include a Climbing Wall; an exhibition of Vintage Vehicles and a Miniature Train for use by children and accompanying adults.
Best Dressed Shop Window
Thurles St. Patrick’s Day Committee are inviting all shops to take part in the ‘Best Dressed Shop Window Display’ for 2016, which will incorporate added prizes for the ‘Best Dressed Window Runner-Up’; ‘Best Dressed Window”; ‘Best Traditional Window; and ‘Best Traditional Window Runner-Up’. The winners of the Best Dressed Windows will be announced on the 17th March at the parade, together with the winners of all the best entries in the 2016 parade. Note: This year awards ceremony to be held in The Source on the 21st March at 7.30pm for the winners in all of the categories.
Thurles St.Patrick’s Day Committee would like to thank and gratefully acknowledge the continued support of their sponsors, without whose help they would be unable to stage St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2016.
So do join in the celebrations and help make St. Patrick’s Day 2016, here in Thurles, a special occasion to remember.
VERY GOOD