THE bands played on, but there was no Waltzing Matilda for Willie O’Dea.
Up to 30,000 lined the streets of Limerick yesterday for the great International Band parade. But a notable absentee was former defence minister Willie O’Dea who has been a regular on the VIP review stand in previous years.
His political nemesis, Cllr Maurice Quinlivan lined up with deputy mayor, Cllr Denis McCarthy and other members of the city council.
But the perch which for years was Willie O’Dea’s to accept the adulation of his people was vacant.
As minister, Mr O’Dea forsook foreign St Patrick’s Day junkets to stay with his own at home.
Yesterday he wasn’t at the parade but wasn’t overseas either.
And another absentee, was the Pride of Acadiana band from Louisiana, USA, who were stranded in the US due to bad weather. They flew into Belfast last night and will take part in the Dublin St Patrick’s Day parade.
The big Limerick parade was a very special occasion for Banna Chuain Meala from Clonmel, who won the best dressed band award.
50 new musicians and colour guard members made their debut in public, as the 120-strong band paraded down O’Connell Street.
Aidan Fennessy, the band’s event organiser, said: "All these new members have been training for the past three years and our band members range in age from 11 to 23. We are the current All-Ireland marching band champions."
A great home town welcome was given to the St Mary’s Fife and Drum band which was founded in Limerick 125 years ago.
Jack McGrath, president of the band, said their oldest member was unable to march with them.
He said: "Drummer, Paddy Casey who is 92, still comes to practice every Sunday morning in St Mary’s Hall, but he’ll be with us after the parade."
A group of African musicians added a lot of colour to yesterday’s event. The Lady Sheila Music Band, said it was their first time taking part in a parade in this country.
Band founder, Sehila Ogie from Nigeria said: "We were formed last year and there are 12 in the band who come from Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa. We play gospel music and rock."
The National Lottery Skyfest set the celebrations off in a spectacular orbit thanks to international fireworks company, Pains Fireworks.
Months of planning went into the spectacle which drew more than 50,000 into Limerick city centre on Saturday night.
One special observer, was 21-year-old Patricia Ingle from Ballinacurra, Weston.
She was given special permission by doctors at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital to leave her bed in the high dependency unit. She was struck down two years ago with a viral infections that left her with brain damage.
Her father, Pat said: "She was thrilled. The visit to see the fireworks display gave her something to look forward to. Getting out means so much to her and it is part of the process of getting her home as well. She is on a ventilator and can’t speak when that is on, but for one hour, three times a day she is allowed put on a speaking valve, which allows her to get more air around her vocal cords, so she can talk a little bit."
* Overall parade champion, Mullingar Town Band.
* Best international band, Ballyduff Silver Band from Co Antrim.
* Best national band, Mullingar Town Band.
* Best local band, Newcastle West and District Pipe.
* Best music, Mullingar.
* Best dressed, Clonmel.
* Most entertaining, Limerick City Brass and Reed.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, March 15, 2010
