First St. Patricks Day parade unites parish
Lisgoold, Leamlara, and Ballincurrig, in rural locations of east Cork, have a combined population of about 1,200.
The parish has been “investing every ounce of community spirit” into ensuring the historic occasion will be a great success.
Local businesses, farmers, schools, and community organisations have entered into the spirit of an occasion that has been planned and orchestrated for more than 10 months.
The impetus began when a dozen women from the parish attended last year’s festival celebration in Midleton.
Impressed by Midleton’s parade, Sara McSweeney determined the parish should have its own event.
“We decided we should have our own celebration in 2015,” said Ms McSweeney, who is now the co-chair of the 2015 Lisgoold St Patrick’s Day Committee.
“We are blessed in the parish to have a very active and enthusiastic community,” said Ms McSweeney, a native of Churchtown, north Cork.
She said the women involved constituted a mix of locals and newer arrivals to the parish. They formed a committee and, with the support of the Lisgoold /Leamlara Community Council, formally launched the parade initiative at a local sports day in June.
Even during Halloween and Christmas celebrations, the March 17 event became the focus of fundraising.
The main costs will be public liability insurance and entertainment.
The committee, she said, had organised events such as coffee mornings, quizzes, cake sales, and karaoke.
A Facebook page has also been set up.
To date, more than 250 entries, including 24 individual organisations, have subscribed to participate in the parade.
The event will depart from Lisgoold GAA grounds for a planned 500m journey to the community hall.
The parade will feature floats, fancy dress, music and a host of “costumed characters such as Mickey Mouse and Queen Elsa”, said Ms McSweeney.
One local has been selected to play St Patrick for the day while a vintage car will transport the community’s two eldest residents, both in their 90s, at the head of the procession.
“There is great excitement throughout the area about what will be a very historic occasion for our community,” Sara said.
As the parade assembles at 12.30pm, the main Lisgoold Road will be closed until 2.30 pm with detours in place.
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