Moate parade to take place on Easter Sunday this yea

There will be no parade on St Patrick's Day in Moate this year, as the organisers have opted to move it to Easter Sunday (April 8) instead. The clash with Garrycastle's appearance in the All Ireland club final and the availability of bands to appear in the parade were the two main factors behind this decision, which was finalised at a meeting of the Moate Partnership group on Monday evening. In a statement, the group said: "Moate Partnership who have been actively involved in the organisation of the March 17 activities for the last few years have decided that, in the context of a significant event in Croke Park, a greater community involvement might be achieved with a later date." Frank Murphy, chairman of the Moate Partnership, stated: "We are delighteded for the local Garrycastle team to be representing county Westmeath in their first All Ireland club final and we wish them the very best and are looking forward to the parading of the cup at the Easter Parade." He added that he was confident all of the local bands would support the new initiative and he looks forward to the whole community becoming involved with the Easter Sunday Parade. Terry Coughlan, the treasurer of Moate Partnership, said the group had considered moving the parade to a different time on St Patrick's Day before deciding on the move to a new date. The change means this will be the first St Patrick's Day in recent memory which will not be marked with a parade in Moate. Mr Coughlan said the Easter Sunday Parade would begin at 4.30pm and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the occasion. If anyone is interested in entering a float in the parade they invited to contact him on 087 2193204.