Kilkenny to reinstate traditional parade

CITIZENS HAVE been urged to "get off their backsides and put something together" if they want to celebrate St Patrick's Day appropriately, according to the deputy mayor of Kilkenny, Seán Ó hArgáin.

He was commenting on plans by the local authority to reinstate a traditional parade on March 17th after last year's decision to replace it with a European-style street festival was judged to have been shambolic.

The Labour Party councillor said yesterday that the aim was "to restore the traditional parade but with an emphasis on community involvement".

However, he said the success of the proposal "is entirely down to the people" and if those who "continually criticise and complain" did not get involved and make an effort, the tradition of a St Patrick's Day parade may disappear altogether.

He said Kilkenny could not hope to compete with the Dublin parade and its "multi-million euro budget" but it "was up to communities, groups and clubs to make the day a successful one".

Last year Kilkenny shelved the traditional parade format, which tourism officials claimed had become "jaded", and replaced it with a "continental" street festival which was hampered by poor organisation, inadequate stewarding and the failure of some entertainers to turn up.

The event was criticised by residents and visitors, and prompted a "review" by the mayor of the festivities and the appointment of a "full-time co-ordinator" to plan the event.