The St Patrick’s Day festival weekend is set to sparkle
Upwards of 60 floats will participate in Tuesday’s parade through the streets of the city, and the traditional band parade on Sunday is expected to bring 60,000 onlookers onto the street.
Thousands of visitors will throng the city, filling hotels and guest houses, and helping to boost the local economy.
Celebrity Banisteoir and Den 2 children’s TV presenter Emma O’Driscoll, will head the parade as Grand Marshall.
The 26 year old former ‘Six’ band member said: “I’m really excited and looking forward it, it’s always been a super day out”.
At the launch this week, the managing director of Futureama Productions, Fran O’Donnell, told the gathering; “We had a fabulous parade last year but this time it will be much better. We hold the second largest parade in Ireland, with over 80,000 having attended last year, and now we want more to come out”.
The celebrations will set off on March 15 with the international band parade, at noon.
Bands from all over the world will participate, including the Wilcox High school from Santa Clara California, as well as a number of Irish bands including the Garda band, army band and 100 defence forces troops will be coming out.
What promises to be a spectacular parade begins on O’Connell Avenue, terminating at Arthur’s Quay.
Many distinguished guests have been invited to both events.
Mayor John Gilligan, told the Limerick Post that it will be a “free fun” few days.
He addressed the parents of Limerick saying; “ Whenever you think about your childhood, you remember the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Our band parade is one of the best in the world, there will be great amusement, great fun and some great family days. All we want are clear skies.
“Let’s leave the blues behind us for one day and go green,” he concluded.
