Residents and visitors from the counties of Tipperary, Clare and Limerick (Ireland’s Mid-West Region) are expected to gather in large numbers, to watch Ireland’s largest Christmas parade which will roll through the municipality of Bunratty, on Thursday November 28th next; as the County Clare village is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Bunratty Castle, in Ireland’s Mid-West Region will host Ireland’s largest Christmas parade in 2024.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, supported by the local business community and Clare Co. Council, has announced that 400 parade participants will wind their way through the village to the courtyard of Bunratty Castle, where the annual switching on of the Folk Park’s Christmas lights will take place.
The procession will feature more than 100 elves, Christmas characters, the Tulla Pipe Band, animals from the Folk Park, members of the All-Ireland winning Clare senior hurling team, and Santa Claus, (whose sleigh will be drawn by six horses). Additional musical entertainment will be provided on the evening by the Bunratty Brass Band and two local choirs.
The parade marks the beginning of ‘Christmas at Bunratty 2024’ with 35,000 people expected through the gates of the popular 26-acre visitor attraction during these festivities.
Santa Claus will be making a welcome return to his grotto on the Village Street on Friday, 29th November. Visitors will have full access to Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights Experience and can enjoy puppet and magic shows and traditional Christmas tales with Bunratty’s resident Seanchaí, drop into the festive themed shops, meet and greet in the Ice Queen’s Cottage, and take a ride on the Polar Express. The ‘Breakfast with Santa’ event and Christmas-themed castle banquets also return for 2024.
Councillor Mr Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council commented, “It is wonderful to see local businesses and the community of Bunratty coming together to support what will be an incredible spectacle for the village. Bunratty never does anything in half measures and this Christmas parade will be no different as the village prepares for its busiest time of the year.”
Ms Charlotte Rebers, Head of Operations at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park said, “We wanted to do something completely different this year by bringing the entire community together to celebrate the magic of the Christmas season. Months in the making, this parade will light up the village up with colourful characters, festive music and a joyful procession along the 700-metre route. Everyone is welcome to attend.”
Following the parade, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will present a donation to this year’s nominated charity, Down Syndrome Clare.
Spokesperson Ms Bríd Hayes commented, “We are very excited about attending this festive event and we are grateful to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for their fundraising efforts on our behalf. Such donations enable us to deliver vital services and supports for our members and their families to thrive and for the professionals who work to support them.”
The Bunratty Christmas Parade commences from JP Clarke’s at 6.00pm on Thursday, November 28th. The village main street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the parade, while public parking will be available throughout the village and at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in advance.
All businesses in Bunratty will remain open before, during and after the parade. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will be closed to the public after the parade in line with standard winter operating hours.
Songwriters: American contemporary Christian Music-folk singer and songwriter, Ellie Holcomb(Elizabeth Asher Holcomb) and American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter, Lauren Ashley Daigle. Vocals: American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter, Lauren Daigle.
Be Okay.
You’re gonna be okay. You’re, you’re gonna be okay. Oh, the sun will keep on risin’ in that old familiar way, And every little thing is gonna be okay. You’re gonna be alright, Darling, you’re, you’re gonna be alright, ‘Cause the stars will keep on shinin’ through the darkest night, And you can know you’re gonna be alright. Lift your eyes to the hills, Remember where your help comes from. Lift your eyes to the hills, You’ll never face a valley alone. ‘Cause even when your heart is breakin’, And you’ve gone and lost your way, Oh Lord you’re, you’re gonna be okay. You’re gonna be okay. I know that you’re, you’re gonna be okay. Not a care in this whole world that can take that truth away, You’re, you’re gonna be okay. You’re gonna be alright, My darlin’, you’re, you’re gonna be alright, At the end of all our breath, when we’re beckoned on to the light, Love’ll meet you there, you’re gonna be alright. Oh, the end of all our breath is the beginning of new life, Lord, you’re gonna be alright.
Lyrics: Journalist, writer, songwriter, and spy-catcher (Spy identified Kim Philby), the late Jack Fishman(a.k.a. Larry Khan), 1920 – 1997. Vocals: Welsh singer Tom Jones(Thomas John Woodward).
Help Yourself.
Love is like candy on a shelf, You want to taste, then help yourself. The sweetest things are there for you Help yourself take a few, That’s what I want you to do. We’re always told repeatedly, The very best in life is free, And if you want to prove it’s true, Baby, I’m telling you, This is what you should do. Just help yourself to my lips, to my arms, Just say the word and they’re yours. Just help yourself to the love in my heart, Your smile has opened up the door. The greatest wealth that exists in the world, Could never buy what I can give. Just help yourself to my lips, to my arms, And then let’s really start to live. Alright, (hahahaha, yeah). My heart has love enough for two, More than enough for me and you. I’m rich with love, a millionaire, I’ve so much, it’s unfair, Why don’t you take a share. Just help yourself to my lips, to my arms, Just say the word and they’re yours. Just help yourself to the love in my heart, Your smile has opened up the door. The greatest wealth that exists in the world, Could never buy what I can give. So help yourself to my lips, to my arms, And then let’s really start to live. Just help yourself to my lips, to my arms, Just say the word and they’re yours. Just help yourself to the love in my heart.
Well you can tomorrow morning as residents of Co. Tipperary will “turn back time” themselves, thus enjoying an extra hour in bed, when clocks are put back one hour at 2:00am (Sun, October 27th, 2024), ending summertime officially until Sunday March 30th 2025 next.
Vocals: American singer, actress, and television personality Cher(Cherilyn Sarkisian). Lyrics: American songwriter; two Golden Globe Award winner; Emmy Award winner; Grammy Award winner and Academy Honorary Award winner, Diane Eve Warren.
If I Could Turn Back Time.
If I could turn back time. If I could find a way, I’d take back those words that have hurt you, And you’d stay. I don’t know why I did the things I did, I don’t know why I said the things I said, Pride’s like a knife, it can cut deep inside. Words are like weapons, they wound sometimes. I didn’t really mean to hurt you, I didn’t wanna see you go, I know I made you cry, but baby, If I could turn back time, If I could find a way, I’d take back those words that have hurt you, You’d stay. If I could reach the stars, I’d give ’em all to you. Then you’d love me, love me, Like you used to do. (If I could turn back time) My world was shattered, I was torn apart, Like someone took a knife and drove it deep in my heart. When you walked out that door, I swore that I didn’t care, But I lost every thing, darlin’, then and there. Too strong to tell you I was sorry, Too proud to tell you I was wrong, I know that I was blind, and darlin,’ If I could turn back time, If I could find a way, I’d take back those words that have hurt you, And you’d stay. If I could reach the stars, I’d give ’em all to you, Then you’d love me, love me, Like you used to do, ohh, If I could turn back time. (If I could turn back time.) If I could turn back time. (If I could turn back time.) If I could turn back time, ohh baby, I didn’t really mean to hurt you. I didn’t wanna see you go. I know I made you cry, But ohh, If I could turn back time. If I could find a way, I’d take back those words that have hurt you. If I could reach the stars, I’d give them all to you, Then you’d love me, love me, Like you used to do. If I could turn back time, (Turn back time.) If I could find a way, (Find a way.) Then maybe, maybe, maybe you’d stay. (If I could reach the stars…….)
Vocals: The late, great American country music singer, songwriter, Don Williams [Donald Ray Williams] (1939 – 2017). Lyrics: The late American songwriter Charlie Craig(1938 – 2011).
I Would Like To See You Again.
I was sittin’ here thinkin’ about some old times, Some old times, some old friends, And suddenly it came across my mind, I would like to see you again. Remember how we used to walk and talk, Walk and talk, holdin’ hands, We said we loved each other I recall, We made a lot of future plans. But the years have come and gone, And a whole lot has happened since then, But tonight your memory’s awful strong on my mind, And I would like to see you again. It’s funny how a feeling will come back, It’ll come on back, make you blue, Cause I just saw a picture in my mind, Bout a time, of me and you. But the years have come and gone, And a whole lot has happened since then, And tonight your memory’s awful strong on my mind, And I would like to see you again. Yes the years have come and gone, And a whole lot has happened since then, But tonight your memory’s awful strong on my mind, And I would like to see you again.
Recent Comments