WATCH: Thousands of people line streets of Cork city for first St Patrick's Day parade since 2019
Performers from Mexico in traditional dress at the Cork city parade. Pic: Larry Cummins.
Vibrant colours, catchy tunes and talented dancing made up the majority of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Cork city with a number of dance schools, cultural communities and activist organisations joining sporting clubs in a march around the city which paid homage to the theme 'Heroes: Ordinary people in extraordinary times.'
Thousands lined the streets to take in the spectacular show that was put on by the groups, led out by Grand Marshall Blood Bikes South and the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Colm Kelleher.
Some notable displays included the Cork Wolfpack, the Ice and inline Hockey Club in the city, along with Rebel Wheelers who had a basketball hoop and a few balls that they gave to members of the crowd who tried their hand at a three-pointer from the sidelines.
The vibrant baby blue shirts of the Sanctuary Runners gathered a positive response as did the elaborate dancing in costume from the Indian, Mexican and Latin American Communities and the Cork Cycling Campaign caused a stir thanks to their outlandish attire, especially for the occasion.
RedFM presenter, Olympian and all-round nice guy Rob Heffernan MC’d the event, wisecracking his way through the afternoon, with a joke, a smile and a quick-witted comment for each and every organisation that passed.
Canadian couple Kelly and Todd Underhill, who have been living in Cork for the past five years said they were excited to experience a Cork parade.
“I’ve seen pictures so I’m looking forward to seeing the whole thing for real. I'm very impressed with the theme, it gets me choked up a little bit. I think it’s a great theme for the healthcare, the unsung heroes. I used to work in healthcare in Canada.”
Natalia and Michael Skrodzka are on holiday in Cork for the week, visiting family.
“We are here for a week, we are doing a bit of sightseeing, and we rang the Shandon Bells and tomorrow we are going to Cobh to see the Titanic Museum. This is my third time in Cork. We are looking forward to the parade. We came here two years ago to see the parade and Covid started and we had trouble getting home. So we are looking forward to this day.”
Darina and Adalena Mockler from Donegal were having their first Cork parade. Darina said her husband is working in Cork and they came down for a few days.
“It’s very different to a Donegal parade, it's much bigger than at home, I’m very excited,” Adalena said.
Katie Toomey, 14, Ballintemple said she was excited about the parade. "Five of us had a sleepover last night and got dropped in by my dad. We used to always come in so its like a tradition for us. It feels really nice to be out and about again. My friends are in Nemo Rangers so we would know a lot of the lads marching. I really like all the floats as well. We will get ice cream and treats later, it’s a real treat yo self day!”
Crowds have been gathering on the streets of Cork city from as early as 11am as the St Patrick's Day parade returns after a two year hiatus of festivities.
Organised by Cork City Council, the theme of this year’s parade is Heroes – Ordinary people in Extraordinary times.
Along Patrick Street, sellers line the pavement selling eye-catching hats and themed merchandise all emblazoned with the colours, green, white and gold.
Families with excited youngsters clustered together as more and more people gathered in the city centre to see the colourful displays and performances that would be taking over the streets from 1pm.
Happy St Patrick’s Day ☘️ to all our followers 🇮🇪 @corkpaddysfest pic.twitter.com/BuQ9NL0RSG
— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) March 17, 2022
Over 2,500 local community participants will be involved in the parade, plus commissioned pieces and visiting groups from the United States - including Massachusetts State Troopers, Philadelphia Irish Trad Tours and the Bixby Ruby group from Oklahoma.
Together they will make up the marching extravaganza that is soon to unleash a cacophony of musical entertainment.
Joining the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher as guests of the parade will be some members of the Ukrainian Community and in the body of the parade, Polish community support group Together Razem has invited people in Cork from several Eastern European countries to parade with them under a banner of solidarity – Together4Ukraine, to show their support to the Ukrainian people.
Over along Union Quay, giddy kiddies lined up in their groups ready to march the streets, many of which have no memory of being at a parade before.
A number of five and six year olds have no recollection of their last parade and for them this is a new experience and one to savour and enjoy.
Parents were just as excited as the kids with a number of people saying it was great to see a return to normality.
If you would like to send a message to the live stream – a greeting from near or far to be read out on air - please email parade@corkcity.ie or message on Facebook or Twitter.
Wheelchair users and those with special needs will be accommodated in a special area on Patrick Street, and there will be ISL Interpreter services available beside the Grandstand, which this year is situated on the South Mall. Former Grand Marshal, Olympian and Presenter of Breakfast on Cork’s RED FM Rob Heffernan will MC the Parade.
Information on road closures and diversions, bus re-routing, Park and Ride bus facilities are all listed on www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie along with a full listing of festival events.
“It was a nice opportunity to get out into the community and show the fantastic pupils we have on the campus. Even the smallies from the preschool got to enjoy it. Everybody got to enjoy themselves.
“The students were encouraged to dress up and wear green. As we are St Patrick’s school it is fitting that we make a day of it and celebrate the occasion in style. It is a nice opportunity for the pupils and the staff members to join together. The sun shone and there was a lovely atmosphere as the students waved their flags. Frank Brady played the bagpipes and passing motorists beeped their horns. There was great excitement. We hope to make this an annual event,” he added.
The teacher said that the guest of honour, Rob Heffernan was a star attraction amongst both the students and the teachers.
“Rob Heffernan was an absolute gent. He was posing for Instagram pictures with the secondary students, and he jumped in for pictures with the smallies,” he added.
Students and staff members from Gaelscoil Teaghlaigh Naofa in Ballyphehane also participated in a school parade in Tory Top Park.
Senior infants teacher Síle Ní Dhonaile said the students really enjoyed themselves. “The weather was brilliant, and the kids really enjoyed themselves. It was a lovely occasion and very successful. The student council organised the event. The students were very creative. We had floats and homemade banners. There were loads of parents watching on which helped to create a great atmosphere,” she said.
The Barrack Street Band added to the occasion as they played music which helped to generate a lovely ambiance, said the teacher.
“There was lots of dancing and music. The students and the staff members all dressed up and we marched around the Tory Top Park in all our glory.
“The Barrack Street Band added to the great atmosphere. There was plenty of colour, music, laughter, noise, and excitement which was great to see. The students have missed out on a good bit in recent years, so it is nice to be getting back to some degree of normality,” she added.
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