Mallow St. Patrick's Day Parade

With just 2 weeks to the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Mallow ( Sunday 17th March ) the Parade Committee are delighted with the way plans for the day are progressing. There have been very positive meetings with Cork County Council and Mallow Gardaí. Notice of Road Closure has been advertised on local newspapers. Roads in the centre of Mallow will be closed , with alternative routes to be indicated and sign posted, from 1 pm to 4pm on Sunday 17th to facilitate the safe running of the Parade.

There is great interest in this year's Parade especially because of the theme 'ACTIVE LIVING IN MALLOW'. Both the Secretary, Mary O'Brien and myself, Noel O Connor, have been contacted by many groups seeking to register their groups as participants in the Parade. Young people will be in for a treat on the Parade Day as members of the Cork BMX Club participate and they will put on a display of controlled cycling at a very high level. The Grand Marshall, Gerry Mullane, has indicated that some of the service users of the COPE Foundation will be alongside him as he proudly walks down Davis Street on the Day. I am told that Thomas Davis Pipe Band are busy rehearsing for the Parade and that they have a number of new members who will be marching with them for their very first parade, this year.

The Committee has been in talks with Mallow Chamber and Conradh na Gaeilge Mallow regarding support for the Parade. Following these meetings it is agreed that there will be a competition for the best decorated (to reflect the Saint Patrick's Day Season) Shop-Front . It is hoped that the businesses in Mallow will buy into this competition and decorate their Shop-Fronts, for the week leading up to the 17th, in a way that reflects our Irishness.

Finally the Committee ask that any group that hasn't registered as participants yet should do so as soon as possible by contacting Mary O'Brien at the Naoinaire in Mallow GAA Complex or by phoning Noel O Connor at 087 2738222. It must be pointed out that there are large costs involved in putting the Parade together. The Committee is delighted with the financial support from Cork County Council and Mallow Credit Union. We also wish to express our appreciation for the support of Mallow Tidy Towns Committee Co. Ltd., of which we are a sub-committee. We also look forward to financial support from the business people of Mallow to enable us to provide a Parade of high quality in Mallow on Saint Patrick's Day.

Entertainment on the Reviewing Platform will commence at 1.15pm on the 17th with Cuisle Avondhu young musicians taking to the Stage along with Cork ETB Group-- Casadh Corcai who will also be performing their chosen music. Participating Groups assemble in the Town Park from 1.30pm onwards. Parade commences at 2.30 pm sharp and move along from the Town Park, down along Davis Street to the Thomas Davis Square. The Reviewing Platform will be positioned in the vicinity of Mallow Credit Union.

Signed: Noel O Connor, Chairperson, Mallow Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee.