.Participants in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was cold but, essentially, dry on The Mall yesterday as the annual CH parade drew hundreds to the street again.
An annual staple of the festive calendar, the parade, along with the switching on of the Christmas lights, officially starts Christmas in Tralee.
Santa and Mrs Claus were joined by a host of characters while Rose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne took pride of place in the parade.
Afterwards everyone posed for photos in the Square before Santa and Jennifer officially opened Santaland at CH Chemists.
There was a wonderful family atmosphere in town all day so well done to everyone who organised it. Scroll down for photos…
Rebecca, Summer and Patricia Birch, Leanne and Jayden Quirke at the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Participants in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLadies looking on at the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Fun in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanBreda Flynn, Conor Hanafin and Caroline Coffey at the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Giving a wave in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanGiving a wave in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Waiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Minnie and Mickey in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe little mermaid in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanBig Jim keeping the crowds entertained at the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Waiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanCrowds watching the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanRose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Participants in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Waiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanSanta and friends in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanParticipants in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanSanta and Mrs Claus embrace in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWatching the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLadies watching the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanParticipants in the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanRose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne with Abbey Heffernan and Lorraine Heffernan at the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanSanta and the Rose of Tralee with friends after the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe ‘Ugly Sisters’ with Rose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne and Donal Dillane after the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanWaiting for the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanRose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne and Santa Claus officially open Santaland at CH Chemists as Mrs Claus, Peter Harty and Kevin Reardon watch on on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanRose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne with Olivia Crean after the CH Chemists Christmas Parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Lewis Hughes taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was quite a day on Thursday as hundreds of people participated in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Tralee.
The event really highlighted the community spirit in the town and clubs and societies were out in force to proudly display their colours.
In the last of our photo coverage, here’s some of the clubs, community groups and businesses involved in the parade…
Born To Run members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ladies promoting the Darkness Into Light event taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanAustin Stacks club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean.St John’s Pipe and Drum band members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanDefence force members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean.Tralee Boxing Club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanKielduff Brownies taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Mitchels GAA Club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Imperials members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Together Special Olympics Club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Tralee Equestrian Centre members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanCassie Leen Dance School members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanJoanne Barry dancers taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanChurchill GAA members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanSt Brendan’s Basketball Club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanNa Gaeil club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanKerins O’Rahillys club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Triathlon club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanSt Brendan’s Park FC club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean‘Generation Integration’ taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanOakview Village Childcare taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot CreanBallymac GAA club members taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
.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.The Filipino Community went all out again this year. Photo by Dermot CreanBrendan O’Connell, Grand Marshal of the parade, with Aisling O’Connell. Photo by Dermot Crean.Showing the appropriate colours during the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanJoe Moynihan with the Tidy Tralee float. Photo by Dermot Crean.The Red Cross lads resuscitates a Kerry fan on their float. Photo by Dermot CreanCllr Norma Foley has a shot at fellow politicians Deputy John Brassil and Cllr Graham Spring courtesy of the Tralee Parnells. Photo by Dermot Crean.All aboard the Tralee Bay Sailing Club float. Photo by Dermot CreanGetting into the spirit of the day. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Sera Husky group taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTime travelling knights having fun with the gardai during the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanRecalling the suffragette movement at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTommy Collins of Save The Green taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanBernie Hayes gives a cuddle to the Tralee Imperials mascot while husband James (left) looks on. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Bay Wetlands made an effort with their float. Photo by Dermot CreanA good way of promoting the Maurice Collins Memorial Vintage Day on Easter Sunday. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Rowing Club members taking part in the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanThe sun was out so this member of St John’s Pipe and Drum band needed to mind the eyes. Photo by Dermot CreanAki and Gretta O’Rourke at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
Loads more photos of people at the parade and clubs and community groups tomorrow…
.Launching the Tralee St Patricks Day Parade were, from left. Sean Lyons, Michael Gaffney, Johnnie Wall, Frank Hartnett, Danny Leane and John Drummey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE 2016 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Tralee will be the most celebrated in the town’s history as the theme will be based around Tralee 800 – a celebration of the birthday of Kerry’s county capital.
The Grand Marshall this year will be Special Olympics Gold Medal Winner, Brendan O’Connell, from Tralee.
“We’re hoping that people taking part this year will do something that involves something that happened in Tralee over the last 800 years,” said Chairman of the Tralee St Patrick’s Day Organising Committee, Johnnie Wall.
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Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the parade and local community groups and organisations, as well as clubs, schools and businesses are invited to take part in what is always a fantastic day of celebration and entertainment.
“This year is a historic year in Tralee for a number of reasons – it’s our 800th anniversary, it’s the centenary of the 1916 Rising and our Rose of Tralee International Festival is being extended from five to seven days,” said Johnnie.
“In looking forward to welcoming back everyone who took part in last year’s showpiece, we hope to welcome some new participants. We are delighted to feature Brendan O’Connell as our Grand Marshall. He has, along with all the local Special Olympians, represented his town, county and country with dignity and pride,” he said.
The parade will get underway at 12pm sharp on Thursday, March 17 and will travel from John Joe Sheehy Road through Boherbee, onto Castle Street before finishing on Denny Street.
Each participant will be given a slot number once all applications are received and the numbers will be displayed along the assembly area at the starting line on John Joe Sheehy Road.
Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories on the day – Most Colourful, Most Entertaining and Most Topical/Current.
The entertainment will continue in The Square throughout the afternoon with a Céilí and Traditional Music with Eileen Daly and Mike O’Shea followed by more live until late afternoon.
Johnnie Wall thanked Kerry County Council, Tralee Chamber Alliance, the St Patrick’s Day Committee, Publicans and the Volunteers who play a major role in ensuring that the spectators and participants will have a memorable day.
St Patrick’s Day Application forms are available from: Tralee Chamber Alliance, 18 Denny Street, Tralee as well as www.Tralee.ie, Tralee Town Hall, The Abbey Inn and the new Tralee St Patrick’s Day Facebook Page.
The completed forms must be returned by Friday 4th March to either:
· Tralee Chamber Alliance, 18 Denny Street, Tralee or
· Kerry County Council Tralee Municipal District, Princes Quay, Tralee (former Tralee Town Council) or
· Email johnniewall@eircom.net
For more information, contact Johnnie Wall on 087 2335846.
Accepting their award for ‘Most Artistic Float’ from members of the St Patrick’s Day Parade committee – Danny Leane and Johnnie Wall – were members of the Tralee Filipino Community, who were, from left: Rowell Villones, Raquel Suarez, Rosario Aday and Ely Gedong. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THREE Tralee groups have been given awards for their colourful exploits at this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade.
The local associations that scooped an award each were, The Redeemed Church of Christ, Tralee Musical Society and the Tralee Filipino Community.
All the awards were sponsored by Tralee Credit Union and handed out at the Abbey Inn on Monday night.
“This year was one of the best parades we’ve ever had, we had great weather and a great crowd” said member of the Tralee St Patrick’s Day parade committee, Johnnie Wall.
“The parade itself took an hour and twenty minutes to pass the viewing stand which means it was a huge parade and one of the biggest we’ve ever had,” said Johnnie.
This year’s parade featured four bands along plenty of other entertainment, music and local sporting clubs showing their colours with pride.
“We had Sam as well in the parade, but he’s a fairly regular visitor!” said Johnnie.
Leading the parade was current Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey.
With the theme of the parade being ‘Active Tralee’, Marcus Howlett, founder of the ‘Run The Kingdom’ company, accepted a special award for the Tralee International Marathon.
Scroll down for photos…
Tralee International Marathon receives award from the Tralee St. Patrick’s Day Parade for promoting fitness in Tralee pic.twitter.com/h8MUChifA5
Accepting their award from members of the St Patrick’s Day Parade committee were members of The Redeemed Church of Christ, from left: Johnnie Wall, Bonni Abubakao, Danny Leane, Mroseline Omoniyi, Adeyinka Etimiri, Micheal Gaffney and Seán Lyons. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Members of Tralee Musical Society accepting their award from Suzanne Ennis (Tralee Credit Union). Also included are members of St Patrick’s Day parade committee. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THOUSANDS lined the streets to watch the parade yesterday where the theme was ‘Active Tralee’.
Sports and fitness clubs were out in force for the event along with many other community groups. It was a fantastic day for it and we were there to capture the atmosphere (click here for yesterday’s coverage).
Grand Marshal of the Tralee St Patrick’s Day parade meets the man himself. Photo by Dermot Crean
WELL it couldn’t have been a better day now, could it?
Thousands of people turned out in the glorious sunshine in Tralee to watch the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in what many described as one of the biggest crowds ever for the March event.
Starting just after noon, there were, it seemed, a couple of thousand more taking part in the event from clubs and businesses all over town and beyond.
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The dynamic duo of Sean Lyons and Mike O’Donnell kept the crowd entertained and informed throughout with Mike acting as a ‘roving interviewer’ on Denny Street.
Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey, was the Grand Marshal for the event and even scored a penalty in the St Brendan’s Park FC float! There were great efforts made by the Tralee Bay Wetlands, Tralee Musical Society and Kingdom County Fair to name but a few.
In all, it was a colourful event that showcased what a fantastic community we have in Tralee.
Check out the highlights from the parade in the video below and scroll down for photos (we’ll have more images tomorrow)…
Melissa Ryan, who ran in the half-marathon on Sunday at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanAn agile member of Joanne Barry’s dance school at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean‘Father’ Tim Landers gets funky on the Tralee Musical Society float at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of the Austin Stacks club show off the silverware at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Kerry County Show float at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of the Tralee Together Special Olympics Club at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanCrowds in Castle Street waiting for the parade to start. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of the Sera Husky contingent at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanOlivia Wall drives the Sam Maguire and Tommy Markham cups with a little help from her friends at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of the Filipino community at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanA sea of Strand Road blue at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanPromoting the upcoming Tír na nÓg Festival at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of the Cassie Leen dance school at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung John Mitchels members marching in the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanYoungsters decked out in green for the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanBallymac GAA youngsters at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanTralee Dynamos members marching in the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanSt Pat’s GAA members get musical at the parade. Photo by Dermot CreanNa Gaeil youngsters get vocal for their club at the parade. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Patrick leads the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar Brophy
ST Patrick’s Day came early for pupils and parents at Scoil Eoin, Ballonagh on Friday with the hosting of their annual pre-St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Held as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge, the pupils, many wearing oversided leprechaun hats and holding inflatable hammers, danced and sang songs as gaeilge for parents and teachers alike.
One of the highlights of the day was the 6th class rendition of Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars as gaeilge, which can be seen in the video below.
Scroll down for video and photos from the day…
Pupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPat Hickey and Catherina Graham enjoying the festivites at Scoil Eoin on Friday. Photos by Oscar Brophy
Pupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyAn interesting headpiece on a pupil at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyThumbs up for Ireland from this pupil at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar BrophyPupils having fun at the Scoil Eoin St Patrick’s Day parade on Friday. Photo by Oscar Brophy
WHILE the preparations are in full swing for Tuesday’s St Patrick’s Day parade, we discovered this letter (below) from patriot, Austin Stack, sent 99 years ago today, organising a march of Irish Volunteers on the national holiday.
The letter, sent to F.H. O’Donnell, Honorary Secretary of the Irish National Volunteers, invites the corps to take part in a ‘demonstration’ from the ’98 memorial on St Patrick’s Day.
We discovered the letter thanks to a tweet sent earlier today by ‘1916 Letters’ (see tweet below).
Just a month later Austin Stack would be involved in events that would change the course of Irish history.
Rockies making their way through the streets of Portlaoise before the All-Ireland club semi-final. Photo by Dermot Crean
TUESDAY’S parade is about to get a whole lot louder!
After a year of incredible marches, the Rockies fans will again take to the streets of Tralee for the St Patrick’s day parade.
Though the Rock faithful would prefer to be making their way down Jones’s Road before the All-Ireland club final in Croke Park on the same day, getting a chance to do it at home is some consolation.
Austin Stacks fans represented the Tralee side impeccably and were asked by organisers to participate in the parade and show their colour and great voice once again.
‘Super Rockies’ are asked to congregate at Connolly Park on St Patrick’s Day at 11am decked out in black and amber. It being a Rock march, that means that, fancy dress, drums and flags along with anything else you can think of are also encouraged.
After the parade, fans are invited back to the clubhouse for complimentary stew or bacon and cabbage. There will be a kiddie’s cinema in the hall with free popcorn and finger food also spot prizes galore.
The supporters gained plaudits from all over the country for the brilliant noise and colour brought to the game which will live long in the memory.
Members of the St Patrick’s Day parade committee getting into the spirit of things, from left: Martin Brosnan, Anne O’Shea, Jason Brick, Micheal Gaffney, Johnnie Wall, Danny Leane and Sean Lyons. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
OVER the last few years, Tralee has been gripped by running mania so it’s fitting that the St Patrick’s day parade in town will represent that.
The theme of the St Patrick’s Day parade this year is being active and the parade committee would like if community groups taking part would display their wares as to how they encourage people to keep fit.
Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey, will be the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.
St Patrick’s Day parade applications forms can be picked up at The Kerry Council Office reception desk, the Tralee Chamber Alliance office on Denny Street and the old town hall office in Princes Quay.
Completed forms can be handed in to any of the above buildings.
Parking arrangements for St Patrick’s Day are as follows…
• No Parking in Denny Street from 2.00.am until 3.00.pm on the day
• John Joe Sheehy road will be closed to traffic from 11.00.am and Boherbue to Denny Street from 12.00. Midday.
• Closing date for application is Friday 6th March and will be strictly adhered too.
• As usual The Parade assembles on the John Joe Sheehy road from 11.00.am (The Road will be closed to traffic from 11.00.am – 12.30. pm)
• The parade itself will start at 12.00. Sharp
• Marching straight down Boherbee / Upper Castle Street / Castle Street and down Denny Street
• Viewing stand will be at the corner of Denny Street as always.
