The St Patrick’s Day parade in Portlaoise has been cancelled by organizers.
Citing ‘numerous obstacles’, PRO Paul Downey has released a statement on behalf of the committee announcing the news.
PRO Paul Downey said: “In January every year, a small group of volunteers meet once a week and plan the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“As years go on, that group became smaller and smaller and has now come to a point where the workload putting the parade together outweighs the number of volunteers we have.
“However, volunteers is not just the issue for us, and I am sure it is the same for many parade committees around the country. This year we have been faced with numerous obstacles.
“We have been faced with increased regulations and conditions involved in holding a large event such as ours. Adding extremely high costs to the above it proves next to impossible to put the parade together.
“This decision has not and is not easy for the outstanding volunteers on the committee and the amazing volunteers we have had in the past.
“We as a committee would love nothing more than to bring you these great events but unfortunately this year it will not be possible.
“A word of thanks to our volunteers, our sponsors and everybody that has helped us a long the way.
“Hopefully we will see you on the streets of Portlaoise in 2021.”
Last year’s event saw boxer TJ Doheny and actor Robert Sheehan appear as special guests.
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