Ex-Mountjoy boss to lead St Patrick’s parade

FORMER Mountjoy Prison governor John Lonergan is to lead this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Clonmel.

A native of nearby Bansha in south Tipperary, Mr Lonergan retired last year from his post in the country’s largest prison after decades in the prison service. His autobiography has been in the bestseller lists since before Christmas.

He succeeds homeless campaigner Alice Leahy, from Fethard outside Clonmel, who was grand marshal at last year’s March 17 parade in the town.

This year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations begin on March 15 when local historian and author Michael Ahearne will give a talk in the Town Hall on south Tipperary’s connections with Newfoundland.

The following night will see the annual St Patrick’s Eve gala dinner and dance in Hotel Minella while the big day itself will feature the annual raising of the national flag and Papal flag at St Patrick’s Well. This is the spot where St Patrick is reputed to have met St Declan.

Members of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE) and Banna Chluain Meala will lead the Mayor of Clonmel and members of the Borough Council to midday Mass in St Mary’s Church before the main parade gets under way at 3.30pm.