Once again Main Street Carrickmacross was filled with thousands eager to enjoy the Carrickmacross St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 50 colourful groups and organisations took part in the parade this year, and despite numerous threats, the rain stayed away! The Carrickmacross Branch of the Comhaltas Ceoltoirí warmed the crowd up prior to the Parade by playing a selection of traditional tunes which are always guaranteed to entertain.
True to tradition, the Parade was lead by the 3rd Monaghan C.B.S.I. who marched in impressive formation through the town. In pursuit the Steadfast Brass Band, who had also played beautifully at the flag raising earlier that morning at the Courthouse, marched proudly behind and also managed to pick up one of the prizes in the parade! The local Councillors joined dignitaries on the reviewing stand, while Mr. David O’Rourke did a magnificent job as M.C. announcing all the participants as they passed the reviewing stand.
As ever, the local primary schools made huge efforts on the day, arriving in colourful costumes with St. Joseph’s Boys National School marching dressed as a deck of cards, which scooped them the 2nd prize for best float. The Scoil Rois children wore colourful leprechaun costumes and the children of Bunscoil Lughaidh 
Naofa wore high vis jackets promoting green schools. This year the town was delighted to have a number of new groups joining the parade, in particular Born to Perform, who had a “Beauty and the Beast” themed float accompanied by an array of little dancers who entertained the crowds as they followed the parade route. Word International Ministries also joined the line up for the second year and looked very impressive with their traditional outfits and tambourines. Some of our walking groups included the 6th Monaghan Scouts Group from Killanny/Inniskeen, the Aces Athletic Club, Friends of Lough Derg, Stedfast House, Mullaghraferty School and the Cycling Club.
The Vintage Section is a big part of the Parade each year and as usual there were magnificent displays from Lisdoonan, Carrickmacross and Muff Vintage Clubs. Other vintage vehicles included J.J. Cunningham, Pat Kerr and Sons, Bernard Maguire and Gerry Swinburne. Commercial Floats included GoLo Insurances, Sip Stoves, Supervalue, Vanity Nightclub, Komandor, Natureworks Landscaping, Steele’s Menswear, JC Environmental and O’Farrell Oils. While Corduff/Raferagh Community Centre’s “The Gathering” Float picked up the 1st prize in this year’s Best Float.
The crowds were also delighted to hear music from the An Lochrann Linn Band, the Aughnamullen East Pipe Band, St. Mary’s Brass Band, Kingscourt, St. Macartan’s Lisnagrieve Pipe Band and of course the Corduff Pipers who received Best Band prize. As always all the bands provided great entertainment and colour to the parade.
Well done to all the bands and organisations that participated, their contribution to the Parade was appreciated by all. We look forward to seeing you all back again in Carrickmacross in 2014.
Seachtain na Gaeilge – Fuinneog Álainn – Best Shop window was won by Rennick’s Office Supplies, Farney Street. Well done to all the shops that participated. The standard was exceptional as ever.
The St. Patrick’s Day Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in the Parade, the Garda Síochána, the Town Council Staff, David O’Rourke, Mr. Seamus McEneaney, The Fiddler’s Elbow, Cloughvalley Stores and everyone that came to watch the Parade.
