60,000 people enjoy Cork’s largest ever St Patrick’s Day Parade
An estimated 60,000 people gathered in the city centre to watch a record 3,600 people take part in what was the city’s largest ever St Patrick’s Day parade.
Organised by Cork City Council, the parade was the highlight of the Cork St Patrick’s Festival, which began last Friday to celebrate Irish music, culture and heritage.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said the parade was a highlight of his year so far.
“It’s absolutely incredible, what a turnout, the largest parade ever, representing the city that we are today. What an honour it is to see multicultural groups from all over our city, marching bands from America, people from all over the world who are making their home here, and making our city a better place. It’s a wonderful day,” the Lord Mayor said.
The festival featured concerts, céilí dancing, music trails, traditional Irish music performances, and a wide range of family events, with night markets, late-night café openings, and a celebration of traditional street games in the regenerated Bishop Lucey Park.
The Irish Guide Dogs, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, were the parade Grand Marshals.
The parade included several international groups including The McKinney High School Royal Pride Marching Band from Texas, the DC Everest Senior High Marching Band from Wisconsin and Batala, and the international collection of Samba groups from the UK, France, Austria and America.
Local arts organisations Cork Community Art Link, Cork Puppetry Company and national arts organisation Spraoi, brought the large floats to the Parade, all paying tribute to the festival theme of ‘Marsh, Myth and Magic’.
Participating in the Parade in collaboration with Cork Community Artlink were Brothers of Charity-Blackpool CAP, the National Learning Network, Cork Simon Community, UCC Drama, Pat Quinn and Gang, and volunteers from all over Cork.
An accessible area was provided for wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility, people with autism and neurodiverse people, and ISL services were provided at the main viewing grandstand.
Cork’s 96FM and C103 Presenters Simon Murdoch and Izzy Showbizzy MC’d the parade.
