CORK:THE ST Patrick's Day parade in Cork was broadcast live on the internet yesterday for the first time, courtesy of an initiative developed by the city council.
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of the southern capital for the parade, with the Cork senior football team, winners of last year’s All Ireland Senior Football championship, serving as grand marshals for the event.
The decision to broadcast the parade on the Cork City Council website followed on the successful recent live broadcast of the 2011 election count at Cork City Hall.
Valerie O’Sullivan, council director of corporate affairs, said the broadcast was a vital step for Cork. “One of the key roles of Cork City Council is to promote Cork as a location for investment, for tourism and to showcase Cork as a place to live.
“Bringing large-scale community events like the Cork St Patrick’s Day parade to the wider world is a great way for Cork City Council to demonstrate Cork’s attractiveness as a place to live and do business in.”
Shortly before the parade got under way Corkonians were treated to a high-octane revamp of traditional currach racing right in the heart of the city.
The Red Bull city currach race ran along a demanding course in the section of river Lee next to Merchant’s Quay.
Renowned Cork-based boat builders Meitheal Mara managed the event and supplied lightweight, streamlined currachs, which were used by all the competitors.
Meanwhile, the parade came alive shortly after 1pm in a river of colour, music, dance and fun. It was the biggest parade in the south and featured festival favourites Cork Circus, Dowtha Puppets and Spraoí from Waterford.
Traditional bands included the Ballyphehane Pipe Band and the Mayfield Brass Band, while the theme of “Happiness” was celebrated by youngsters from dance troupes throughout Cork city.
Cork’s twinning arrangement with Shanghai resulted in a colourful dragon display, and groups from Serbia, Angola, Poland, Lithuania and India were among the other overseas representatives.
Organisers of the St Patrick’s Festival in Cork hope to attract more than 100,000 people to the city over the next four days for concerts, currach racing and céilís.
Today, Cork Institute of Technology’s school of music will be premiering Pierre O’Reilly’s Patrick – The Story.
This groundbreaking multi-media reimagining of the classic Patrick tale will be performed for the first time and features the talents of Oscar-nominated animator Nicky Phelan, renowned soprano Cara O’Sullivan and a 90-strong orchestra and choir.
The old Cork airport terminal is home to Terminal Convention, an internationally significant art, music and discursive event featuring some of the world’s leading and emerging artists, musicians and theorists.
The winner of this year’s best overall entry award was the Cork Polish Association. Mayfield Brass Band won the best music group award, while the best children’s group award went to members of the Indian community in Cork city.
The parade brought more than 2,000 participants together under the theme of “Happiness”, with an estimated 60,000 lining the streets for the event.