Great community support for Clara parade

Always a standout occasion in the Clara social fabric, the St Patrick's Day parade continues to garner much support from the local community.

Organiser Bertie McMahon has united the community for the national feast day event which will commence with a concert in The Square at 11.30am featuring music and dancing from the James Kinsella Ceili Band, the Rahan CCE Dancers, Conroy Dancers, Fr Joe Deegan and The Concannon Youth Dancers.

Prior to the start of the parade at 12.30pm, the national anthem will be sung by renowned Clara native, Paddy Bracken who will be assisted by Damien Scally.

Four local schools will be honoured this year, and the principals of the schools, Scoil Phroinsias Naofa, Clara, Madge Burke; Scoil Bride, Clara, Sandra Grennan; Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa, Roger Geoghegan and Horseleap National School, Aine Groarke will cut the ribbon to start the 2025 Clara St Patrick’s Day Parade, receiving their trophies of recognition later on the stand.

MC for the concert and parade is Barry Flynn, who will be assisted by his sons, Adam and Aaron.

To date, almost 60 community floats have been confirmed for the parade in which long time actors, John Lowe and Nollaig Fitzpatrick, will act as joint grand marshals.

The reviewing stands and band stands are provided by D&G Transport Tullamore, the stage managers being Jack Rabbitte and Sons.