A Cork woman who last year became the first Irish person in history to swim the English Channel over and back in one go taking just over 35 hours to complete the challenge has served as Grand Marshal in the St Patrick’s day parade in her native city.
Lisa Cummins from Blackrock, Cork left Dover on the south east coast of England shortly after 10.30am on September 19th, 2009 and accompanied by a support boat she was back in England at 9.40pm the following day having made the journey to Cap Gris Nez in France and back.
Two years ago University College Cork student Lisa set herself two long term goals – one was to complete a marathon and the other was to swim across the English Channel and back between Dover and Cap Griz Nez. Having accomplished both challenges serving as Grand Marshal in the Cork city parade was an added bonus for the driven 26 year old.
Tens of thousands lined the route of South Mall in Cork this afternoon as 2,100 colourful parade participants livened up a dull and dreary day on Leeside.
A forty foot crocodile complete with Peter Pan and Captain Hook pirates proved to be the highlight for young children who attended the parade.
This year’s theme was Ships to Shore – celebrating Cork’s maritime culture. Parade participants included Cork Circus pirate stilt walkers and mermaids, Naomhoga Chorcaí life size Transformers, majorettes, as well as a whole range of community, voluntary, defence force personnel and brass bands.
The Band of the First Southern Brigade lead out the parade at 1pm followed by fellow army, navy, veteran and defence force personnel and marching band with Grand Marshal Lisa Cummins closely behind.
The parade started at the top of South Mall at Parnell place and travelled down South Mall onto the Grand Parade, winding around St. Patrick’s Street and finishing at the end of Merchant’s Quay. The Grandstand was located in front of Carey’s Lane on Patrick’s Street.
Additional events taking place this afternoon in Cork city centre include the Barry’s Tea Food Market and free outdoor concerts from headline acts such as The Roaring Forties.
Meanwhile, in the county children from the Midleton Educate Together National School will be participating in the town parade which gets underway at 3pm.
The theme of their entry is Flowers and Flags. Pupils in the school hail from sixteen different countries in the school and each one is represented by their national flower and flag .
The Fermoy parade got underway at 11am today. The Grand Marshal was local boy Owen O'Keeffe who, at the age of 16, swam the English Channel last September.
He was chosen, not only for his great achievement, but also as a great role model for youngsters everywhere. He is the youngest Irish person ever to swim the Channel.