Mar 185 min read

Castletownbere St. Patrick's Day Parade. Beara West Cork

Every St. Patrick’s Day I walk up the town and I am always so proud of the Beara Community!! The turnout of floats are fantastic so I would firstly like to give a huge thank you to all who participated in the parade, while organising an event is a challenge, it would be of no use if it wasn’t for the work and effort that goes into each and every float, behind the scenes. You give up your day to decorate, plan and participate. Without your support there wouldn’t be a parade so for each one, who gives up their time and puts so much effort into the day THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

I would like to thank Bere Island Radio for coming into the square to be part of the day. Always a lovely start to the day. It’s always a pleasure to listen to you every week but lovely to have you in Castletownbere on the day.

Next up on the thank you list are the members of the Castletownbere Development Association for the stage, putting out the barriers and selling the tickets. Sandra Regan, Dierdre Harrington, Andrea Lotty, Donal Kelly your help in an essential part of the parade thank you all.

Donal Kelly, Lehanemore, for helping with organising the judges.

John Joe O Sullivan and Donal Dan O Sullivan who registered the floats.

Ivalo Linder, our sound guy, thanks a million for all your help sorting the sound system for the radio, the parade band etc. You’re a patient man and nothing is any trouble to you.

Our piper Etienne Baranger who has led our parade for us for the last three years and is now living in Castletownbere. Thanks to our Gardaí, especially Garda Iris for your help on the day.

Well done to our stewards, Sean Cronin, Brendan Driscoll, Antony Regan, Dominic Tietjen, Jimmy Murphy, Richie Sheehan thanks a mill for your help ensuring the parade progressed through the town without a hitch.

Ecki Krupp and his band Garnish Sound for keeping us entertained. Thanks, a so much to all of you for your entertainment on the day. It was a fantastic show well done.

Amanda Cronin for giving out the medals to all the children on the floats.

A huge thanks to Jennifer Cronin who took over my job photographing for the day. I’m sure you will agree she did a fantastic job and had a good eye.

I think the hardest job of the day went to our judges.

Kerry Lindsay and Grace Sermanni who had a hard time picking the over all winner. They took a long time to deliberate and took their job seriously. I know you had a tough time making your final decision. Thank you for being so professional.

Fundraising Raffle, this raffle helps fund the parade so thank you to all who supported it.

A huge thank you to the following who donated a prize to the raffle.

Super Valu, Hamper, Dursey Boat Trips, Catcha Coffee Sugrue’s on the Square

Monamar, Cottage Heights B&B

The following are the list of groups or individuals who participated with a little description of each float

Mowi,

Mowi Salmon farm giving out sweets not salmon but a fantastic float with boats, fish and hard working fishermen

O’Sullivan Transport

P.J and his dad Vincent have supported the parade for many many years. Long before we had a stage Vincy would give us a trailer for the day to host the parade, every since O Sullivan's Transport has always joined us the day we appreciate this support.

Cahermore National school,

Save the Planet!

Penguin Protest against Global Warming!

We waddled our way from Antarctica to Castletownbere to spread the word that

'We need to keep it COOL because PENGUINS RULE'

Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa, Castletownbere

From Mount Olympus in 776BC to the Eifell Tower in 2024, the Olympic flame still burns strong. We are supporting our warriors in team Ireland as they go for Gold in Paris this summer. Step aside Zeus, St Patrick and Team Ireland aren't here to take part- We are here to take over. This year we have put a big emphasis on reducing our carbon footprint. Our float and costumes are made from predominantly upcycled materials.

Our Anthem is-Team Ireland, We're with you all the way. Go to Paris, Win Gold Óle,Óle,Óle.........

Bere Island National School,

Bere Island National school

Space is the theme: “Sky full of stars” Sing Two the Movie

We have Aliens, astronauts, space men, and women, UFO's planets.

Beara United FC,

A great group of kids and parents supporting the soccer in Beara

Tuosist GAA,

Tousist Gaa joined us for the first time. They brought lovely underage musicians and sun loungers and they even got the sun for those using the loungers.

They were promoting their fundraising draw for their new AstroTurf, pitch, and community complex. Tickets to win one of 10 luxury holidays to dream destinations. If your not in you cant win. so get your ticket today link below if you like to support

winaholiday.ie/product/tuosist-gaa-fundraiser-ticket/

Urhan GAA,

A great turnout form the Urhan underage and their parents. They brought their cups they had won with them

Adrigole GAA,

A great turn out from the underage and their parents thanks for joining us every year!!

Castletownbere GAA,

Theme was RTE: Ryan Tubridy is now with Virgin Radio UK

and Dee Forbes & Kevin Bakhurst new Director General of RTE. Siún Ní Raghallaigh and Catherine Martin

The underage kids also played a match in front of the stage

Eyeries Playgroup,

These guys and gals sang Ireland's Call with great gusto in front of the stage

Castletownbere Parent and Toddler Group,

Castletownbere Baby and Toddler Group

Castletownbere Baby and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 10.15 am-11.45 am at the Beara West Family Resource Centre

Any parents/grandparents/ babysitters with children below school going age are welcome. It costs €3 per family to cover refreshments and new families are greatly welcome. For more information contact Claire at Beara West Family Resource Centre or check out the Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Caha Centre, Adrigole Men's Group

Businesses in parish that have closed, Pegs shop, shoemaker, and their Post Office,

Darkness into Light,

A simple but powerful message. Anyone can be lonely and struggling. It could be you

Mind each other. Sign up and be part of the Darkness Into light walk on Castletownbere on May 11th starts a 4.15 am

Fire brigade,

Castletownbere coast guard,

RNLI,

A huge thank you to our emergency services who do so much for our community

Dursey Boat Trips,

Thanks to Paul O Shea and Jason Sheehan for putting Beara on the map with Dursey Boat Trips with fantastic trips to the magnificent Bull Rock which was recently featured on a Board Failte Advert

Collette O’Leary,

Congratulations to Collette who was our Grand Marshal, won a gold medal for the Breast Stroke in the Special Olympics

Cara Murphy

Cara Murphy marched with her Dad Stephen and brother Cathel

WHILE MY PERSONAL OPINION YOU ARE ALL WINNERS

Here are the WINNERS AS CHOSEN BY THE JUDGES

Overall - Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa, Castletownbere

Best runner up - Bere Island National School

Best walking - RNLI

Best commercial - Mowi

Best business float - Dursey Boat Trips

Best music float - Tuosist GAA