Community groups step in to organise Paddy’s Day

BUSINESS groups around the country are taking a step back from St Patrick’s Day parades this year, spurring community groups to organise and fund the festivities.

More and more local chamber of commerce groups are cutting their ties with this year's parades on March 17, favouring more community-driven exhibitions with less commercial and industrial trappings. As a result, many parades have been scrapped, in favour of music festivals and cultural events.

As Dublin gears up for week-long festivities beginning on March 11, those attending parades in many of the country's smaller cities and towns can look forward to more community and club-driven floats and a lot less cavalcades of cars, trucks and commercial displays.

Last year, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce cut its links with the city parade, leaving its organisation up to other groups in the city. This year Carlow Chamber of Commerce has followed suit, as have Newbridge, Laois and Ennis.

It's a growing trend and a sign of the times, said Mary O'Connell, president of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. She said chambers have limited resources and manpower and organising such major events has put a severe strain on its services in recent years.

"We didn't take this decision lightly. We made the decision at our board meeting after years of backing. We've been supporting the parade for as long as I've been in business and that stems back over 27 years," she said.

The costs of running parades, particularly insurance costs, continue to spiral.

"As any chamber, our resources are limited and we have to put them to the best use for our members.

"Our members have not been actively involved in the parade for a number of years and we feel this was a pragmatic decision," she said.

Last year's Carlow parade drew much criticism. This year, the parade has been scrapped, in favour of an afternoon of traditional music at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre.

In Portlaoise, Laois Chamber of Commerce has also cut its ties with the parade. Instead locals plan a festival in the town, built around its highly successful French Market next month.

In Ennis, the parade has also been discarded in favour of a Fleadh Nua a cultural parade in May which is attracting musicians from across the country.

In Newbridge, Co Kildare, the Chamber of Commerce has also severed its links with the event and this year, a foot parade of community, sporting groups and Special Olympians led by the Kildare Footballers will be held instead. A music festival is also planned.