Schools take to the streets early ahead of Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day celebrations started early yesterday with two parades taking place in St Luke’s and Mahon in the run-up to further events across the city and county tomorrow.

The pupils and students of St Patrick’s Infants’ School, St Patrick’s GNS, St Patrick’s BNS and St Patrick’s College on Gardiner’s Hill made the march yesterday down to St Luke’s and back again.

In Mahon, the parade was hosted at Mahon Community Centre with the Cottage 

Community Cafe opening early for this special occasion.

Manager of the Mahon Community Centre Denis Coffey said the turnout was tremendous and the costumes were spectacular with a strong community spirit displayed.

All eyes will be on the Cork city parade on Sunday with the Lord Mayor Mick Finn and the Grand Marshall Olympian Rob Heffernan leading the 2,000 strong groups of volunteers that will be lining out to entertain the masses, regardless of wind, rain or snow.

Thankfully, according to Met Eireann, the weather is forecast to be calm and dry when the parade begins on the South Mall at 1pm.

The parade will start on South Mall before making its way along Grand Parade and down Patrick’s Street ending on Merchant’s Quay.

A crowd of 50,000 people are expected to turn out on Sunday to watch the many clubs, organisations and voluntary groups that are taking part in the parade.