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A colourful participant in the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE weather was kind again this year as thousands came out in the sunshine for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Tralee.
Centred around the theme of Tralee’s 800th anniversary, the parade saw hundreds of people from clubs, community groups and businesses take part as it got underway at around 12.20pm and finished up at around 1.30pm.
Grand Marshall this year was Special Olympics Gold Medal Winner, Brendan O’Connell, from Tralee, who led the way and we got a running commentary of what was happening from dynamic duo of Sean Lyons from the stage on Denny Street and Mike O’Donnell interviewing participants on the ground.
There were some colourful floats too among the parade of bands and clubs. The Red Cross, Tralee Bay Wetlands, Tidy Towns and Tralee Filipino Community were just a few that stood out and judges will award prizes in a number of categories for Most Colourful, Most Entertaining and Most Topical/Current.
Over the 70 minutes, the parade showed the great community spirit in the town and showed what Tralee has to offer both visitors and residents alive. Scroll down for photos (we’ll have many, many more tomorrow)…
St Patrick meets his public at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The Filipino Community went all out again this year. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan O’Connell, Grand Marshal of the parade, with Aisling O’Connell. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Showing the appropriate colours during the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joe Moynihan with the Tidy Tralee float. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The Red Cross lads resuscitates a Kerry fan on their float. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr Norma Foley has a shot at fellow politicians Deputy John Brassil and Cllr Graham Spring courtesy of the Tralee Parnells. Photo by Dermot Crean
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All aboard the Tralee Bay Sailing Club float. Photo by Dermot Crean
Getting into the spirit of the day. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Sera Husky group taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Time travelling knights having fun with the gardai during the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Recalling the suffragette movement at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Collins of Save The Green taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bernie Hayes gives a cuddle to the Tralee Imperials mascot while husband James (left) looks on. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tralee Bay Wetlands made an effort with their float. Photo by Dermot Crean
A good way of promoting the Maurice Collins Memorial Vintage Day on Easter Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tralee Rowing Club members taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
The sun was out so this member of St John’s Pipe and Drum band needed to mind the eyes. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aki and Gretta O’Rourke at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
