Cork: Special Olympics athletes served as grand marshals for the St Patrick's day festivities in Cork yesterday, as warm weather attracted thousands to the city for the second biggest parade in the country, Olivia Kelleher
The Special Olympics group is celebrating 25 years in Cork, so participating in the parade marked a double celebration for its members.
Spokesman Mr Peter O'Brien said Cork would play an important role in Ireland's hosting of the Special Olympics this summer. "Athletes from Mexico will be in Cork city, while the Czech Republic team will be in Skibbereen and the Romanians will be in Midleton. The athletes will get the chance to practise in Cork before they go on to Dublin for the Special Olympics."
The athletes were followed in yesterday's parade by representatives from all the Cork branches of Special Olympics Ireland.
CHASE, an environmental group opposed to a planned multi-million euro incinerator in Ringaskiddy, had a float with seven "St Patricks" who chased the dragon incinerator out of Cork.
Seven months of preparation went into organising the parade, with the Cork Junior Chamber of Commerce and a team of volunteers meeting weekly during the last two months to ensure the event's success.
The parade route was changed this year for safety reasons. It began at the Grand Parade before going up Patrick Street and Bridge Street continuing down MacCurtain Street to the Metropole Hotel, where the viewing stand was situated.
The president of Cork Junior Chamber of Commerce, Ms Lisa Hunt, said the parade marked the beginning of the organisation's efforts to showcase the city for 2005 when it would be European Capital of Culture.
The biggest county parades took place in Mallow and Macroom, but the parade in Buttevant was cancelled for the first time in 40 years after insurance costs soared by 600 per cent. The chairman of Buttevant Council, Mr Tom Corronn, said they could not justify the cost of insuring the pageant.
Other cancelled parades included Ennis, Co Clare, and Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Insurance companies claim they have had to raise their premiums for parades because of a rise in personal injury claims in recent years.