Shamrocks get the bum deal
The humble sprig of shamrock, the emblem synonymous with St Patrick, has almost been completely replaced by plastic badges, hats, painted faces and garish green outfits.
One supermarket was giving bags of it away for free but found that only a few older people took one with their shopping.
Other outlets had bags of shamrock at 65 cent each and pots at 69 cent each.
James O’Leary of Irish Plants International, who is involved in growing shamrock for the commercial market every year, said the little plant was an important national emblem and should be worn with pride.
“The shamrock is the emblem of Ireland, along with the harp and St Patrick’s Day offers us the one opportunity during the year to wear it,” he stressed.
Mr O’Leary did admit, however, that nowadays a lot more work had to be put into persuading people to wear the shamrock.
“Shamrock is an impulse purchase. It has to be in shops on the point of sale. It is not something you are consciously going to go looking for but you will pick it up on seeing it.”
Meanwhile, local apathy and high insurance costs have killed off a number of regional St Patrick’s Day parades this year.
For a second year running, Ennis has cancelled their parade after failing to generate local support for the event.
And Carlow Chamber of Commerce decided not to hold a parade because the interest just wasn’t there.
“While insurance and the other costs involved were the main reason we decided not to hold the parade this year, we also felt that the interest is just not there any more,” said the chamber’s chief executive, Jacqui McNabbe.
“Times have changed. Children are more discerning. They expect to see more than a group of vehicles going down a road,” she added.
General secretary of the Association of Irish Festival Events (AOIFE), Nicole Mulholland, said that while insurance costs were high, they were not prohibitive.
Meanwhile, the greatest cheer at Dublin’s parade today will be reserved for the traditional Madrid folk band, Lume de Biqueira, who have come to Dublin despite the bomb attacks in their city last Thursday.
The musicians will wear white ribbons and carry a Spanish flag with a black ribbon attached, in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack.
The Dublin parade, with 3,500 performers, is expected to attract 500,000 spectators who will line a three-kilometre route through the city’s centre.
Chief executive of the St Patrick’s Festival, Maria Moynihan, said the redevelopment work between O’Connell Bridge and the Spire, rather than the Luas works, was more of a problem. No viewing will be allowed from this section.
The size of the parade was similar in size to last year’s when it grew by a record 40%.
Meanwhile, Government ministers have headed off to 22 cities across the world to ensure celebrations honouring Ireland’s patron saint are a global event.
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