Excitement is building for one of the first festivals on the Kinsale Calendar of Events; the St. Patrick’s Maritime and Street Parades.
Saturday March 16th sees the unique Maritime Parade in the harbour where you can enjoy the wonderful sight of beautifully lit boats sailing in under the night sky. There will be music, family fun and of course the evening will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display. Spectators are invited to dress up for the occasion with prizes for the Most Brightly Decorated Adult and Child! The committee is hoping that this year will be the biggest and brightest yet as the Maritime Parade will be filmed by drone with the hope of featuring on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade round-up on the Six One RTE News on St. Patrick’s Day. Also keep an eye out on the Ray Darcy Show on Saturday night for the Blarney Brass & Reed Band who will be marching in our Street Parade on St. Patrick’s Day!
The Grand Marshals for this year’s Street Parade on St. Patrick’s Day are Mrs. Pam Norris and Mrs. Maureen Judge, who have done phenomenal work for Chernobyl Children International over the past 3 decades, fundraising for and hosting children from the disaster area. Indeed Pam raised €80,000 in the past three years alone by cycling the Wild Atlantic Way to mark her 70th birthday! The committee is delighted that the ladies have accepted the invitation on behalf of all those who have been involved in Chernobyl Children International since its inception.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself the Blessing of the Shamrock will take place at 12noon Mass in the Parish Church. Festivities will then commence around town from 1pm with free face painting, balloon modelling and music. Buskers are also welcome to come along on the day. First South Credit Union Ltd have a special treat in store for children on the day also, keep your eyes peeled! The prize giving for the Children’s Art Competition will take place in the Tourist Office before the Street Parade, which will start at 3pm from the New Road car park (please note change in start time this year!). The theme for this year’s Parade is ‘Think Green’ to tie in with Kinsale Green Week, a new initiative by Kinsale College which runs from March 16th to 23rd. The Parade will weave its way along The Glen, Pearse Street, Barry’s Place and the Pier Road to the reviewing stand near the Pier Head. In addition to various prizes for Parade entrants, there will be prizes for Best Dressed Adult, Teen and Child spectators! Watch out around town for the Shamrock Planters, provided by Kinsale Men’s Shed. All are welcome to take some shamock for their button hole, lapel or cap!
Since the revival of the Parade in 2012 it has been wonderful to see the support from local businesses who ‘Go Green’ for the occasion in the weeks before the event. Combined with the wonderful effort the businesses make to decorate their premises, and the flags & bunting erected by the Parade committee, Kinsale always looks spectacular for our National Day. Once again there will be prizes for the Best Dressed Window in advance of the festival weekend.
If you are interested in sponsoring or contributing funding for the many events or wish to help out with stewarding on the day please email [email protected]
Check out how much fun we’ve had in previous years and come along and enjoy the fun in Kinsale on St. Patrick’s weekend!
Street Parade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbOt30lNa3I&feature=youtu.be
Maritime Parade:
https://youtu.be/lr10qHaqh_I