Earlier start for Athlone St Patrick's Day Parade

Organisers of the St Patrick's Day Parade in Athlone are pressing ahead with the event on Saturday, March 17 despite calls for it to be moved to Sunday to facilitate Garrycastle's historic appearance in the All-Ireland Club Final and a homecoming for the team. "It is going ahead on March 17 at 2.15pm," Chairperson of the St Patrick's Day Committee Sandy Hughes, who also heads up the popular Tonnta street theatre group confirmed to the Westmeath Independent this week, before wishing Garrycastle the best of luck in their first historic All-Ireland appearance in Croke Park where they will take on the might of Crossmaglen from Armagh at 3.45pm. However, with so many performers booked and events set up, Ms Hughes said it wasn't possible to move the parade to the Sunday by the time they were asked to do so. Although Sandy admitted the match may affect attendance, she explained that they have an earlier start time to enable people to watch the match on television. "A lot of people won't be going to the match and we're here to cater for them," she added. "There is plenty of time for anyone who wants to watch the match afterwards. We really do wish Garrycastle the best of luck and we hope they bring home the cup," she enthused. This year's parade will start at 2.15pm proceeding from Diskin's Centre, Golden Island through the streets of Athlone before concluding on the westside close to Dooley's, Magazine Road and the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Street entertainers from Tullamore, representatives from the Roscommon Lamb Festival, community entries and vintage cars will be among the participants this year, but the organisers are calling for more entries this week, particularly floats and community organisations to come on board. Anyone interested in taking part this year can call ACT 09064 94555 or Tonnta 090 6476615. "The more colourful the better," Sandy Hughes urged, adding that she hopes people provide plenty of colour on the day, and in light of the big match, it would be great to see people decked out in the red and green. There is a special focus on free children's entertainment this year as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities in the town this year, with free pre and post-parade entertainment for youngsters in the Civic Square sponsored by Athlone Town Council. The fun kicks off at 11am with a children's treasure hunt, from 1pm to 4pm there will be bouncing castles with Jump for Joy and finally, to round things off, a children's magic show from 3pm-4pm in the Civic Square after the parade and music on the streets.