The Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade drew huge crowds to the town last Wednesday afternoon with an estimated 1,000 people lining Main Street and cheering and applauding the participants as they passed by in a colourful pageant of music, drama, comedy and song.
The parade, which was held in ideal weather conditions, was led by the Rathkeale Brass Band as it proceeded down through The Square and past the reviewing stand under the shadow of Fr Casey’s monument.
Prize for best float was won by the O’Grady family business entry, whose catchy theme-tune and lively dance routine received a warm response. Second prize went to Abbeyfeale Drama Group for their depiction of Sharon’s Grave. The award for the best decorated window went to Goode’s Pharmacy on Main Street.
The committee would like to thank everyone who helped in making this year’s parade one of the most successful ever. The participants who worked so hard on their individual floats and displays and created so many spectacular and innovative presentations. The people who lined the route and gave the whole occasion a real carnival atmosphere. The local Tesco branch who sponsored the prizes. The local business community and all who supported the recent church gate collection. The local gardai who did such an excellent job controlling the traffic and facilitating the smooth progress of the parade through the town. Fealesbridge Co-op who provided the reviewing stand, and the Failte Bar for the lone of the steps. Jack Foley’s bar who supplied food and refreshments to hungry workers after the parade. All of the stewards and volunteers who gave so unselfishly of their time and energy. And a big thank you to all who helped out in any way to make the parade such an outstanding success again this year. Míle buíochas díobh go léir!
N.B. We have some pics posted in our PHOTO ALBUM. Click on “PHOTOS” above and click on “View All” The 2010 parade album should be visible. We also have a couple of pics from the Birmingham Parade in “Latest Pics” and we hope to add to these. And if anyone has any pics from their area please send them on to us.
RUGBY
Ireland’s Croke Park rugby odyssey ended as it began – with defeat. However, their four-year tenancy aa GAA headquarters has coincided with the most successful period in the nation’s rugby history.
The record reads; Played 14. Won 9. Lost 3. Drew 1 The victory tally includes victories over England, France and world champions South Africa, and saw the team claim a Grand Slam title after sixty one years plus two Triple Crowns.
Ireland’s next home game will be at Lansdowne Road against South Africa on Saturday, November 6th.
We will revisit the Croke Park odyssey again when the dust has had time to settle.
GOLF;
Tiger Woods has announced that he is to return to compete in The Masters in a couple of weeks time. This is bad news for Padraig Harrington and co. With all the carry-on and the shenanigans down through the years, the Tiger still managed to win most of his tournaments. Imagine what will happen if he comes back and actually starts concentrating on the game? He will be unbeatable!
Perhaps we could nobble him by setting up a honey trap.
Following the Abbeyfeale Golfing Society outing to Castletroy Golf Club, Limerick on Sat.20th March the results were: 1st Ger Foley(14) 41pts. 2nd Jason Lynch (12) 40pts. 3rd Pat O Connor (20) 40pts. Front 9:Eamon Scannell (14) 22pts. Back 9: NeilusMurphy (16) 20pts.Thanks to our outing sponsor Declan Fitzgerald QS Ltd. Next outing is to Castleisland Golf Club on Sat.17th April.
SOCCER; Abbeyfeale Utd A 1, Carrig Celtic 0.