In an era where a number of St Patrick’s Day parades are being cancelled around the country – this Laois village is bringing theirs back.
The plans of the people of Clonaslee to bring a parade back a parade to the village for the first time in more than 40 years are at an advanced stage.
After consultations with members of the community yielded positive feedback, a committee has been put together to set up the parade.
The committee formed is as follows:
Honorary President: Fr Thomas O’Reilly P.P
Chairperson: Paddy Keating
Assistant Chairperson: Pat Carroll
Secretary: Brendan Kelly
Assistant Secretary: Joanne Keating
Treasurer: Ronan McCann
Assistant Treasurer: Padraig Kelly
PRO: Patrick Blake & John Cusack
Safety Officer: John Cusack
One of the members of this, Pat Carroll, explained to LaoisToday that the parade will take place on Sunday March 15 at 12pm – rather than St Patrick’s Day itself – to avoid clashing with other parades around them.
Pat said: “We’re not sure exactly when the last St Patrick’s Day Parade was held in Clonaslee but we’re told it was more than 40 years ago.
“I remember Tom Conroy had a horse that won a race in Cheltenham and that was paraded through the village when it returned but I can’t remember a parade myself.
“There are some really positive things happening in Clonaslee and the moment and a group of us got together recently and began discussing bringing back the parade.
“There are parades in Rosenallis, Kilcormac, Tullamore and Mountmellick which are well established now and people from Clonaslee attend. So we decided we’d go for the Sunday before St Patrick’s Day so as not to clash.”
Clonaslee parade have also announced a very special guest for their St Patrick’s Day parade.
Jamie Lee Collins from the popular RTE show Raised by the Village will be the Grand Marshall.
Jamie went to live with the Keeley-Cusack family last year and really bonded with them – becoming an integral part of the Clonaslee community.
Float Applications for 2020 Clonaslee Parade are also open.
Any local organisations or interested clubs wishing to put in a float into the Parade can do so from today.
You can inform the committee through private message on the Facebook page or by contacting Brendan (087-9675054) or Ronan (085-1482296).
There is no entry fee to enter a float. Each club or school can make up their float on any theme to their choice.
There will also be a competition for the best dressed dog too.
