Crowds defy freezing conditions to watch parade
The beaming world indoor champion proudly displayed her gold medal as she led 2,100 performers through city streets in a multicultural Alice In Wonderland-themed parade.
She was honoured by Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune and dignitaries at the reviewing stand for her outstanding performance in Moscow last weekend.
She and her family and friends will be accorded a formal civic reception in City Hall in a few weeks, Ms Clune confirmed. She was one of dozens of Cork sports stars, including members of the Cork City soccer squad, who marched in the parade.
This year's parade, although shorter than those of previous years, was a riot of colour.
It featured dozens of community groups from Cork, Sligo and Belfast, and a range of multicultural groups such as the New Jersey pipe band, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Cork's Polish community, the Cork Bangladeshi Association, dancers from the Ivory Coast and a dramatic performance from Filipino dancers wearing traditional black and orange hand-made costumes and head-dresses.
It was a special day too for the Prince and Princess of Blackpool, who led one of the parade's four community groups. Josh Lombardi, four, and Vicki McCarthy, 14, both from Knocknaheeny, were chosen by the public following a competition in the
Blackpool Shopping Centre last week to head one community group.
Their proud families, including Josh's parents, Joanna and Nicky, and granny, Angela, watched the parade from the reviewing stand.
"It's fantastic for him great for his confidence. But it's been busy for me trying to get organised. But we're delighted," Joanna said.
Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, one of the few government ministers at home yesterday, was sitting close by. He watched as his daughter, Aoibhe, marched in the parade.
Gardaí estimated that up to 50,000 people lined the streets. The crowd dispersed quickly after the 45-minute parade.
Many followed the aromatic smells of artisan food products wafting around the city from the expanded food market on Academy St and Emmet Place.
It proved a huge hit, even if some of the prices were a little steep.
There was something on offer for everyone from West Cork burgers and West Cork potato and nettle soup, to Brittany biscuits and Thai sausages.
Restaurateur Pat O'Leary said he could have sold double the amount of his deep-green nettle soup made to his mother-in-law's recipe.
"I was picking spring nettles in the Lee Fields with my daughter the other day and wondering if I was crazy. But it's all been worth it. It's been a great day," he said.
Yesterday's parade kicked off a three-day St Patrick's Festival that includes free street theatre, free events for children in the central library, a funfair and live music.
1980s pop icons The Human League will perform in the Savoy theatre tonight. City hotels reported full occupancy with thousands of tourists particularly Chinese, Japanese and Americans in the city to enjoy the festivities.
The national monument on the Grand Parade also marked its 100th birthday yesterday. It was unveiled on St Patrick's Day 1906.
www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
