Clara parade organiser Bertie McMahon marks 50-year milestone
When the Clara St Patrick's Day parade makes its way through the town on Tuesday, March 17, it will represent a milestone occasion for Bertie McMahon.
The inimitable character this year celebrates his 50th year at the helm of organising parades in the Offaly town, dating back to 1976 when he brought the local community together for the town's Christmas parade.
As organiser-in-chief of the March 17 parade spectacular, Bertie is grateful for the support he has received from the Clara community over the decades, saying his involvement in organising the many parades has been "rewarding".
"It all started for me in 1976 when I helped to organise a Christmas parade in the town. We had the famous Wanderly Wagon in Clara and it created a lot of interest. You could see the happiness and joy it brought to the children's faces and I can still remember the day well," Bertie said.
The 1976 Christmas parade, and the resulting happiness it brought to the local community, remained with Bertie and he saw an opportunity to continue that spirit in Clare with the hosting of the St Patrick's Day parade on an annual basis.
"I always wanted to bring together the community and I was proud to do so. When the numbers started to get better with each parade it gave me inspiration to continue," Bertie added.
Originally from The Green in Clara, Bertie has always had a sense of community and how it can be a positive.
"I am just happy to be able to give back to Clara and I will continue to do so while I am fit and able," Bertie stated.
This year's parade is notable for the fact that Paddy Claffey, believed to be the oldest man in Ireland, is planning to cut the ribbon and serve as grand marshal for the event.
Bertie said there has been "great interest" in Paddy's involvement as the Ferbane native is set to turn 105 in April.
The organiser-in-chief hopes to have a similar number of floats participating in this year's parade to that of the 2025 showcase, when there were over 60 entries on the day
Five bands have been lined up to participate in this year's parade - Clara Town Band, the National Ambulance Service Pipe Band, Mullingar Town Band, the Mountbolus Pipe Band and the Athy Town Band from Kildare.
"There will be live traditional music and song from the James Kinsella Céilí band at 11.30am prior to the start of the parade. They will be accompanied by the Rahan CCE dancers, Conroy dancers andthe Christian Concannon youth dancers," Bertie said.
Tubber's Megan O'Hara, who reached the semi-final stage of TG4's country music show Glór Tire, has been confirmed as a special guest, along with her mother, Teresa O'Hara, while Clara native Podge Kavanagh will play the national anthem on his trumpet before the parade gets underway.
The parade will be officially started by one of Offaly's most distinguished GAA referees, Carthage Buckley, with MC duties provided by Barry Flynn and his sons, Adam and Aaron.
"To those who gave money at the church gate collections in Clara and Tubber I want to say 'thank you'. I also wish to thank my team of helpers and all the volunteers who give of their time to make sure our parade is one of the best in the Midlands every year," Bertie added.