Clara St Patrick's Day parade organiser pleased with community involvement

The organiser of the Clara St Patrick's day parade, Bertie McMahon, has said he is particularly pleased with the amount of local community groups which took part this year.

The parade was led by two units of the Clara Fire Brigade, under new station officer Philip Keegan. The colour party was formed, as always by the local scout group. The tidy towns, Clara Gun Club Youthreach, Family resource centre, local motorcycle club and musical society were present, while the local heritage group used the parade to launch a one day summer festival in the town on June 24.

In the vintage section Gerry North entered a 100 year old horse drawn plough while Ireland's oldest working machine, a 127 year old mowing machine, was also present. There was a welcome return of the motorised bar stool which first featured in the Clara parade in 1988.

The men's shed paid tribute to a recently deceased member Mick O'Brien. The three local schools were well represented as was the neighbouring Horseleap school. Clara GAA club, the ladies GAA club and the soccer club were all present as was the local swimming pool.

Commercial entries included DG Transport, Healy & Sons Civils and Annaharvey Chauffeur Services, while local man Roger Robbins almost "lost his head" as part of a comedy float by local pub, The Trap. St Patrick greeted crowds with local man Paddy Bracken and his son Lloyd acting as grand marshalls and the official opening was performed by local husband and wife Joe and Helen O'Reilly.

Ray Larkin brought his positive mental health message to the parade also. There were marching bands from Portlaoise, Athlone and Mullingar as well as the local Clara Town Band, while Rahan Comhaltas also provided music along the route.

Musical entertainment before the parade was provided by Tommy Stones, Teresa O'Hara, Alex Roe, The Kinsella's, Durrow Comhaltas, Concannon Academy, Conroy dancers and dancing parish priest Fr Joe Deegan.