Paddy's day fun planned in Moate and Ballymahon

Moate is set to spring to life with music, song, colour and excitement this Wednesday, as the annual St Patrick's Day parade kicks off festivities in the town a little later than previous years in a new time slot of 4.30pm. One of those involved in Moate Partnership, the chief organisers of the event, Annette Dalton said there has been good interest in the parade again this year, with bands, community entries, floats and musicians all due to take to the streets starting from the Carmelite grounds at 4.30pm, before making their way through the town to finish at the review stand at the Courthouse. It's also hoped with the new time to attract some of the Athlone participants over to Moate for a second parade outing, one that could yield great prizes according to the committee. "This year our Grand Marshal is Tommy Heavin, who is in charge of Scór here in Moate, the Junior group recently won the All-Ireland. He rejuvenated Scór in Moate and was chosen for all his hard work," she said. "The RTÉ cameras will also be in town, hopefully we'll get a snippet on the news so everyone has to look well," Annette Dalton laughed. "We have music prior to the parade with the recent All-Ireland Junior Scór group keeping the crowd entertained before the parade starts," she explained. A window display competition will also be held as part of the event, judging of which takes place prior to the parade, while businesses and homeowners are once again urged to put out the green for our national holiday and bring colour and a carnival atmosphere to the town. The committee is especially thankful to the businesses in Moate for their continued support and sponsorship of the parade, Ms Dalton concluded, as without them there would be no festivities. Meanwhile, earlier in the day at 4pm, the pageantry moves to Ballymahon, where organisers are predicting a "bigger and better" event in the town for the ninth successive year starting from The Hill on the Creevaghbeg Road. "We have bands from the North coming, others from all over the country and a colour party from the Longford Pipe Band and lots of floats," Cllr Barney Steele, Chairperson of the St Patrick's Day Committee enthused this week. "It's all systems go here in Ballymahon for the ninth year of the parade and it's very heartening the amount of calls we are getting from people who are interested in taking part," he added. "We're encouraging everyone to come turn out on the day, there will be plenty of music and entertainment." He thanked the hardworking committee, Jude Flynn, Parade Co-ordinator, for their part in preparing for the March 17 festivities, paying particular tribute to main sponsors Kepak and Scientific Games, along with the generosity of the local businesspeople, without whom, Barney said the event would not be possible. In the run-up to the parade as part of the fundraising effort, a Ladies Night of Glitz and Glamour takes place this Friday night in Cooney's Hotel, Ballymahon, at 8pm. Tickets are €10.