Walking St Patrick’s Day parade for Nenagh

Preparations are underway for Nenagh's first St Patrick's Day parade since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a departure with tradition, this is to be a walking parade, meaning no vehicles of any kind will be involved. The parade will set out from Nenagh Railway Station at 1pm and follow a new route up Kenyon St, turning right at Pearse St and continuing onto Kickham St to finish at Banba Square. Local schools, clubs and organisations have been invited to participate.

Following the parade, a music festival and display of vintage tractors will take place along with other festivities in the area around Banba Square, Nenagh Courthouse, Nenagh Tourist Office and Nenagh Arts Centre.

The parade has been re-introduced to Nenagh by a committee involving local councillor Louise Morgan Walsh and Nenagh & District Chamber of Commerce.

Cllr Morgan Walsh was praised at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District for taking the lead in organising the event.

Cllr JP O'Meara said people are really looking forward to having the parade back.

He hoped the weather would be good for an event that would greatly add to the celebration of St Patrick's Day in Nenagh.

Cllr Morgan Walsh said the first year of running the parade again would be the most difficult.

She explained that the traffic management system would confine the parade to a walking one; Silver St and Mitchel St are to be kept open to vehicular traffic, leaving a narrow junction for vehicles turning from Kenyon onto Pearse St.

Cllr Morgan Walsh said the committee is still looking for volunteers to help with running the parade, while new entries are being accepted up to this Friday, February 28.

Cllr Pamela Quirke O'Meara mentioned that Newport's St Patrick's Day parade is being held two days before on Saturday, March 15.

She praised the work of the committee involved and was sure it would be well- attended.